My Heart Won't Let Me

Wishful Thinking

Chapter 2

'Wishful Thinking'

As he made his way to the restaurant, Ross was running as fast as he could, bumping a few people along the way and muttering the word 'sorry' a dozen times, earning a few dissatisfied glares and curses from the unhappy passerby of New York's busiest streets.

"Come on.." He murmured breathlessly as he waited for the light to turn green at a crossroad. He took a glance at his watch for the umpteenth time that night and silently cursed himself for being late on a date with his girlfriend. He was an hour late and he knew Charlie wasn't going to be pleased with him. Apparently he was great at doing just that these days - pissing off his girlfriend.

As the light finally turned green, he released a breath he didn't realize he was holding and dashed through the crowded street. Five minutes later, he arrived at the restaurant, panting and drenched in sweats. The maitre d' gave him a disapproving look as the man eyed Ross from head to toe. His shirt was rumpled, his hair disheveled, and he looked like someone who just ran a marathon - which he did.

"I have a reservation under the name Geller." Ross said breathlessly, ignoring the look the maitre d' gave him.

"Of course, sir." The man said politely. "Please follow me."

Ross followed the man inside the restaurant, trying his best to fix his clothes. He needed to look presentable in front of his girlfriend. Charlie definitely didn't deserve him. He had been anything but a thoughtful boyfriend this whole week. He literally ignored her calls, he bailed on a dinner date he promised her a couple days ago, and now he was late for their date. Sometimes he couldn't help but wonder how an attractive woman like Charlie would put up with an ass like him.

Yeah, he was an ass, he painfully admitted that.

As he made his way to the table, he silently prayed to God that she'd forgive him for being late. It wasn't like he was purposely trying to be late. He just, well.. Forgot.

It wasn't a great excuse - hell, it wasn't even an excuse - but he was so caught up on his work, he forgot. He was a human after all, he made a mistake. Everyone made a mistake. He could only hope that his mistake didn't just cost him his entire relationship.

Ross winced as he caught a glimpse of his girlfriend. She was sitting with a glass full of wine and judging by her look, that wasn't her first. At this point, Ross knew he was in big trouble. A really big trouble.

He took a deep breath as he arrived on their table before giving her a kiss on her cheeks. She flinched by his sudden contact and he took a deep breath before he sat, mentally preparing himself for the worst. Charlie was shooting glare in his direction and he just wished the floor would swallow him whole, he never felt so small sitting in front of her before.

"Hi.." He murmured nervously. "I'm sorry I'm late. I ,uhm, I got caught up at work."

Charlie ignored him completely and Ross fidgeted nervously with the menu in his hands.

"Have you, uh, have you ordered?" He said as he unbuttoned the first button of his shirt, suddenly the room was getting warmer and he was sweating like a river.

"Just a bottle of red wine." Charlie replied, anger in her voice was very palpable, really hard to ignore. Ross flinched at that. "-which you're going to pay for by the way. That's the least you can do after making me wait for an hour."

Ross nodded. Fair enough. He had made her wait for an hour, not to mention he was being a pain in the ass for the whole week. He'd gladly bought her another bottle if she wanted to.