Believable (r.a.l.)

Chapter Thirty Nine

Liane's POV

My curiosity took over.

That's why I'm sitting at this small table in the corner of the well-known coffee shop.

Starbucks.

Riker told me to come here with no explanation.

And so my curiosity took over, making me wonder what he wants with me and why this specific place?

But now he's not even here.

Should I even bother waiting any longer? I have been sitting here for a while. It's been a half hour since the time he told me to meet him here.

I glance up when the door swings open, showing Riker in a very exhausted looking state. I watch him closely as he walks over to my table.

"It's about time you arrived," I mutter, looking down at my almost empty cup of coffee.

"I'm sorry about that," he apologizes shortly and sits down. "Traffic is a bitch."

I laugh lightly at his bland explanation on why he was late. I look up again to see him staring at me. I shrug, mentally asking him why he's staring.

He places both his elbows on the table.

"How is your day going so far?" He asks casually.

I shrug again. "Aren't you going to order your coffee?" I wonder.

He is the one that shrugs this time. "I didn't bother because I didn't wanna keep you waiting any longer."

I roll my eyes. "I don't mind. Go ahead." I push his elbows off the table so he would go get his drink.

"Fine. Fine. Fine. If you insist," he lifts his hands up in surrender and gets up from his seat, walking to the front counter.

I wait patiently and my phone buzzes.

Tasha: Hey. Where are you? I thought you ditched today.
Me: I'm at Starbucks with Riker.
Tasha: I thought you weren't talking to him.
Me: I was trying not to because I'm so embarrassed. But I wanted to know what he wanted.
Tasha: Oh. Well did you find out yet?
Me: No. He's getting his drink.
Tasha: Find out quicker then.
Me: Fine. Okay. Ttyl he's coming back.

Riker plopped back down in his seat, a steaming cup in his hand. It wafted a vanilla sent, making my mouth water. I looked down at the cold, half empty cup in my hand. Riker saw me looking at his cup.

"Do you want it? I really didn't want it that much. I only got it because you insisted," Riker offered pushing the cup towards me.

I took it, sipped it, and smiled.

"You should smile more," Riker said looking at me funny.

I frowned. "Don't kiss my ass, Riker."

Riker shrugged. "I'm not."

I looked around the shop, anywhere but at Riker. "Don't bullshit me."

Riker sighed and propped both elbows on the table, his long sleeves stretching a little tight over his chest. I looked away. "Liane, I'm sorry."

I looked up at him and met his eyes. Hazel, a kaleidoscope of browns and greens.

"What?" I asked.

"I said, I'm sorry. Really. Look, I didn't mean to react like that. I had no idea you still...were into me. And you know what? I will go to the dance with you. Because you are my best friend and I love you." Riker took a breath and mussed his hair with his right hand.

I adjusted in my seat. "Riker. Thank you for the apology but I don't need a pity date. If you don't like me then you don't and I'm not gonna put myself in a position that will give me hope. I need space. I need to move on."

Riker's face collapsed, his elbows falling onto the table, and his smile drooping.

"Okay I see what you mean," Riker replied, trying to stay positive. "At least we can be friends, right?"

"Of course we can." I stood up from seat, coffee and jacket in hand. "I have to go. See you at school."

"Yeah," Riker said absently.

He didn't make a move to get up from his seat and he looked lost in thought. I guess he was a little confused, understandable, since I said I liked him but then shot down his offer to the dance. Us girls are so confusing. I exited the small shop with new attitude. I was gonna find me a man who likes me for the right reasons, and not because they pitied me.

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A/N Sorry it's so short.  Tell me what you think.

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Happy reading! -Bethany