The Intern (wattys2014)

Chapter 3: Kindred Souls

Once I actually left the office with Andrew, I suddenly felt nerves kick in. I didn't really know this guy, other than the fact that he knew Angela. And what if he thought I was extremely boring? I mean, I spent most of my time with florists and caterers planning weddings. That didn't exactly scream excitement to most guys, and Andrew struck me as extremely masculine, but then it did seem like he was close to his sister. As butterflies started to swarm, he offered his arm out to me. We linked elbows and I took a deep breath, relaxing with the gentlemanly gesture.

"So how did you like my hometown?" He asked casually. The wedding we had met at had been in Lodi, California. I'd actually gone to his bands concert before the wedding, and then ended up dancing with the man I'd watched on stage the day before. It had been a surreal experience.

"It was nice," I said. "I loved the concert, mostly. I hope it's not too embarrassing that I'm a big fan."

"I think it's better than you thinking my band sucks," Andrew said. "I went out with this girl once, before we were big. I'd invite her to shows and she never came, and then she finally admitted it. She hated our music. That was a deal breaker."

"I'm sure most girls don't have that problem. Not that I'm saying you date a lot...I have no idea. I mean, it's not really my business."

"It's fine, I know what you meant." He said. "So, how'd you end up in Los Angeles. We're you trying to be an actress?"

"Nope. My Dad is from here, and we grew up here. I wanted to get a job instead of heading off to school, so that's where I'm at. I want to have my own company someday, just like my mom. She had to sell her wedding planning business when she had cancer, but I always thought her work was interesting."

"That's nice," Andrew said. "I think it's cool to follow in your mom's footsteps."

"Yeah...so how did you meet the band?"

"It's actually kind of boring," Andrew said. "Joel and Benji were trying to start a band when I was a freshman, and they were a few years older. Steven and I were in Stephanie's home room, and we heard her talking about auditions. So we both went, and then we were a band. But honestly, we were all just kids messing around until the accident. After Joel's parents were hit by that semi truck, things got pretty heavy for all of us. We practiced day and night, and Joel threw himself into music. I think the experience was tragic, but it made us really connected as friends and as a band."

"Wow, is that where the name comes from? Like, after the rain comes the triumph and the thunder?"

"No," Andrew laughed. "Benji made it up when he was on pain meds from getting his wisdom teethe pulled. But that's a much better story."

We finally reached a little Thai restaurant, and Andrew opened the door for me. Little Thai was actually a really nice spot with low lights and candles, but it was still casual enough for lunch. I'd walked past this place a dozen times a week to get to the hot dog stand next to it. But today, I didn't mind some pampering.

"Do you like Thai food?" He asked me.

"It's one of my favorites," I said. "But don't judge me when I only order one star on the spiciest scale."

He held up his hands in mock alarm. "My judgement is reserved!"

We were led to the table and Andrew placed his hand on my shoulder gingerly. It was hard not to notice how nice it felt to have someone make such small but delicate gestures. Did Robert ever put his hand on my back or open doors for me? Probably, but it seemed different when Andrew did it. Robert had to be reminded to do those things, and even then, it was like Robert knew he was too good looking and rich to be asked to open doors. Whoa, I thought idly, where did that thought come from? If I loved Robert, how could I think something so cruel about him? And then in the twenty steps to the table with Andrew, I had a revelation. Maybe I wasn't actually in love with Robert, but just the idea of him. Andrew, I was fairly certain, was a person I liked in real time.