I found you

Chapter Three

Her.

"Are you leaving?" I blurted out. Noticing the take away coffee cup in his hand.
"Oh did you want me to..." He said in a tone of sarcasm.
"No... I just assumed because of the cup-" I replied the words tumbling out of my mouth. I suddenly felt very conscious as I watched him look at my lips with an expression of interest.
"You just want your table back don't you?" He joked grinning again. I inhaled deeply relieved he was joking with me. "Haha no I don't actually, I was looking forward to getting to know you," I answered with a natural flirtation which wrapped itself around my words.

I held in a surprised giggle at my own voice. He seemed to stare at me, probably intrigued at my sudden change of tone. "Was this going to include knowing your name?" He asked.
"Rochella," I answered the smallest smile pulling at the sides of my mouth.
At this point I decided to turn on the spot and head back to the table not wanting my food to get cold.

I sensed him on my heels, I begged myself not to turn round, was I playing cool? I don't know why... Why did I need to impress him. I have a boyfriend I reminded myself. However at this I felt nothing, I only felt the prospect of excitement. Sitting back down and having to yank myself up to the height of the chair I watched him perch with ease. "Want some?" I asked sweetly pointing towards my flatbread.

"Yeah, please," he said casually, I was surprised he accepted but intrigued at the difference in the manner here.
"You'll have to share my plate," I answered equally casually. Sliding his stall closer to me he picked up the cut half and bit into it hard with a satisfying crunch. "Nice?" I laughed. Still chewing he attempted not to grin. I liked his vibe.

Nodding and finishing his mouthful he pointed to my half, "Gonna have yours?" He asked in a slightly high voice. I picked my piece up and bit the corner, the flavour hitting my tongue and warming me. I couldn't help but say "Mmmm," as I finished my mouthful. He sat like a kid waiting for my verdict, it almost seemed as if he had sat more straight in his chair.

"Want a coffee?"
"I've got a lemonade, thank you though,"
"Yeah but the coffee here is great, you can save the lemonade for later," he insisted, going to get up.
"Oh okay, yes please. Um - cappuccino?"
"Coming your way," hopping up Luke waltzed over to the counter which had become far less busy. I felt all panicky, what was I doing with this guy? I don't know him and how do I know he's not crazy? But at the same time I had to reassure myself there was nothing wrong with meeting new people.

It didn't take long for Luke to come back to the table with my coffee. "So where you from Rochella?" He asked rolling his tongue on the 'ch' sound in my name, making me laugh.
"Kent in England, you from around here?"
"Ah, that's not too far from London is it? Oh I grew up in a small town here,"
"Yeah you're right, I'm about an hour and a half from London, have you been then?"
"Well yeah, when me and the boys tou- travelled- I went there. I love London," he rushed over his words and I wondered why he had corrected himself. "I love London too. Are you living here then?"
"Well, I haven't been home in a while. Been to America and around. The boys and I needed a break... Um so we came home,"
"Oh that's sick, I wish I could decide when to go home and come back! If only the journey wasn't so long!"
"Yeah... It's a long way," he said sadly. Staring down at my cup I stirred the sugar into it giving myself something to do.

"So what do you do for a living Rochella?" Every time he said my name I become more enraptured in his presence. "I'm working at Nars the store on Pitt Street, what do you do?" He seemed to squirm for a moment, his hands fiddling. "Well, my friends and I-"
"The 'boys'?" I interrupted.
"- Yeah, we all just uh travel around and do jobs here and there, how long you been in Sydney? Do you know all the good places yet?"
"About three months, no I've barely had a chance to look about. Been searching for jobs and a place to stay. We've only just got settled,"
"We?" He fired.
"Oh me and my travel buddy, James," I answered quickly. Why was I lying? What the hell was I doing?
"Oh right, have you not been to the night life out here?"
"Well actually tonight will be my first night out," at this he became suddenly interested and perked up.
"Oh yeah? Where are you going?" His question was a little forced and awkward.