At Our Ex-Spence

At Our Ex-Spence: Chapter #19

Since the night at the club, Stuart has not put his phone down for any length of time. He's glad he got to see his brother that day at the library, but they haven't spent time together since the last week of May when they decided what offer they would be accepting.

Tonight, the first week of June, he and Allison are meeting their friends at a fancier restaurant. Allison hopes it will help her boyfriend come out of the shell he's retreated into. It's a reunion of sorts, as well as a celebration of him passing his tests.

"There he is!" a blonde haired guy calls out.

Stuart smiles and one arm hugs the man. "Hey, Owen."

A redhead with bright blue eyes squeals and throws her arms around him. "StuuuuuuuuEEEEEEE!!!"

Allison giggles as Stuart tries to remain upright and hugs her back. "Been a while Mattie."

Three others are watching him with huge smiles and as soon as Mattie lets go, he makes the rounds.

"Hold up," a raven haired man says. "Allison? Allison Argent?"

Said woman smiles. "Hey Elliot."

"Hi. Gosh you've grown a lot." He stands up, pulls her into a hug and then tugs on one of her curls. "Well, I'm glad to see you. I didn't realize you were with Stu."

"Yep," she says with a smile as Stuart wraps his arms around her waist. "Going on seven years here pretty soon."

The group stares in surprise and then Mattie smirks. "Where's the ring Stuuuueeee? Gotta make an honest woman outta her!"

Stuart blushes, taking Allison's coat as they take a seat. His arm slips around her shoulders and she snuggles into his side. "I don't know. I know we're forever. I know we're endgame but it's not the right time yet."

Mattie, Owen and Elliot glance at Allison and then at Stuart in confusion.

This is where Stuart gets a little anxious. How can he possibly explain that he just knows with every fiber of his being that it's not the right time? Soon it will be but it's not yet.

"He's the love of my life. I don't need a ring or a wedding certificate to know that. I know it here." She presses a hand to her heart and the whole group lets out a collective 'Awwwwwwwww.'

Once again grateful for his girlfriend, Stuart kisses her cheek and then pulls the menu closer to get a good look. The conversation drifts to various topics, from jobs to schooling, to families and more.

Halfway through dinner, Stuart's phone vibrates, and he tenses, yanking it out to check. His shoulders slump when he sees it's just an email. With a sigh he lets his hands drop to his lap.

For the next fifteen minutes he relentlessly checks his phone, hoping for a text. However, each and every vibration is either a social media notification or email notification. With each one he feels more and more disappointed.

It's not until they are nearly finished with dinner that a text arrives. It's only their mutual friend Alaya, letting them know she loves them lots but couldn't make it.

Allison puts her hand on Stuart's arm and squeezes to get his attention. When he meets her gaze, she gently chides him and stashes his phone in her bag before passing him a fidget cube.

"Thanks," he whispers, his cheek bright red as he starts messing with the toy.

She kisses his cheek and laces their fingers together.

It definitely helps and he offers a guilty smile to his friends. They smile back and draw him into their conversation about movies.

Dinner eventually ends and they all make plans to get together again soon. Stuart and Allison say their goodbyes to Owen, Elliot, Mattie, Ciera and Hanna before heading home.