Count on Me

Chapter Two: Katrina Meet Mesut

Katrina yelped at the burning session where her timer had been, she pulled back sharply and stared up at the man that had grabbed her; she blinked seeing the look of wonder on his face. 

The room seemed completely silent at what was happening and Katrina couldn't help but feel like everyone was watching them; she swallowed nervously not knowing what to say to her soul-mate. 

The burning sensation in her arm seemed to smooth after a few moments, Katrina didn't dare peek down to see what the timer had turned into only knowing that the exact same mark would be on his arm as well. 

"Hallo," the man breathed not taking his eyes off Katrina, he looked turn between so many ideas and he wished that they were doing this in private; he didn't have to look to know his friends were all grinning like idiots at this. 

He had very nearly given up on the idea that he would ever find her, the timer on his arm had begun to mock him when he watched all his friends with their soul-mates and families. 

"Hi," Katrina replied softly, she couldn't take her eyes off the man before her and she racked her brain for something to say to him that wouldn't be so awkward. 

The man smiled at her, he couldn't believe that this was all actually happening and he had waited so long; he had often been teased about the fact that he hadn't found his soul-mate early in life. 

"Okay shows over folks... this is awkward enough without all us staring," Nick interrupted making Katrina pull her gaze away from the man and look at her brother gratefully; nearly everyone in the restaurant was staring at them. 

The man frowned at the look that Katrina gave Nick, he felt a little jealous about the fact that he knew his soul-mate; he knew it was silly but he couldn't help it, they had just meet and it was going to take time for them to get to know one another.

Nick nodded to Katrina before conversation started up, he was happy for his younger sister and he couldn't imagine how she was feeling right now; it had all happened so quick and they deserved a moment together without people staring. 

The man watched Nick leave before he turned back to Katrina, he had no idea what to say to her but he guessed everyone felt the same when they meet the soul-mate for the first time. 

"I'm Katrina," Katrina mumbled feeling very self-conscious, she nibbled on her lip watching him wondering what his voice sounded like. 

There was no doubt that her father and aunt were sat in the corner still watching them, Katrina wondered how long they would just sit there and watch before coming over to meet him. 

"Mesut," the man replied smiling, he couldn't get enough of hearing her talk and he hoped that things would be okay; he had no idea what to expect even if he had put a lot of thought into it before this day. 

The two stood awkwardly for a moment not knowing what to say, they had never really given much thought to what they were going to do when they did finally meet and it was showing right now. 

"Take the girl to lunch idiot," Olivier Giroud muttered loud enough for everyone to hear, Mesut looked at him knowing that his friends were all listening to the awkwardness right now. 

Katrina opened her mouth to inform them that she was in fact working, she couldn't just leave because she had meet her soul-mate; she doubted that Nick could handle the restaurant alone. 

"Have fun," Nick called before she could protest, he had already called in one of their sisters knowing they'd happy cover for Katrina for the rest of the day.

***

Sipping on her glass of water, Katrina looked across the table at Mesut not knowing what to say to him; the drive to the restaurant had been practically silent and she wished she knew what to say to him. 

"So what do you do?" Katrina asked knowing that it was probably a good start, the restaurant was a fancy one and she felt underdressed in her clothes from work. 

There was no way that Katrina would be able to cover even half of the bill and she had balked at the prices of food when they had ordered; Mesut had reassured her that it was fine to order whatever she wanted but she had tried to keep the cost of her meal low. 

"I play football," Mesut replied knowing that he would do anything to keep this to himself for as long as possible; the last thing that he wanted were the paparazzi harassing Katrina and her family. 

It was going to take some time for them to get used to one another and Mesut was happy to take things slow; he didn't want to scare Katrina off when he had only just found her. 

"I'm a waitress at my family's restaurant," Katrina said racking her mind for what she knew about football, she had never really paid attention and she now wished that she had. 

It was something that her brother and cousins were into and she was sure Nick would be able to tell her more about the team that Mesut might play for. 

Mesut nodded his head, he had never been to Dancing Zorba's but he was going to be a frequent visitor now if it meant that he could spend more time with Katrina. 

The two lapsed into silence for a moment, they both had no idea what to say again and they knew it was just going to take them some time to get used to one another; they couldn't be the only two that struggled upon meeting. 

Mesut looked at Katrina, he had no idea what was going to happen when his parents and siblings found out but he was hopeful that they would like her.

***

"Thank you for lunch," Katrina said when Mesut dropped her back at work, she brushed some hair from her face glad that things had slowly become easier between the two of them. 

It was still a little awkward but they had found things to talk about over dinner and had exchanged numbers so that they would be able to talk until they saw one another again. 

Mesut shook his head, it was the least that he could do and he so owed Oliver for suggesting it; he had enjoyed getting to know Katrina and he was disappointed that he had to let her go. 

"What are you doing Monday night?" Mesut asked carefully, he didn't have a match and he wanted to take Katrina out on a date; he knew it was a little away and he couldn't wait to spend more time with her. 

Things would have to be done carefully, the last thing he wanted was for people to start bothering Katrina because she was his soul-mate; he had no idea how to handle this and he knew that speaking to his team-mates would be best. 

"I'm free," Katrina said smiling, she suddenly felt excited about seeing Mesut again and she would actually be a little more prepared to go out with him; she was sure that there was nothing planned and she finished work at six so she was free after then. 

Mesut nodded his head, he had a couple of days to plan something simple and he knew that they would be able be more relaxed during their first date than they were today. 

"I'll pick you up at eight," Mesut told her, he didn't want her to go but they were working on things and he knew that they would go at their own speed; there was no need to rush when they would always end up together anyway.