The Café Where It All Began

Making the most of it

I was driving home after a long day of work. I felt the stress of the day slowly leaving my body as I speed away on my motorcycle. I focused on the air hitting my torso as I got further from the city.

I was almost made it to the suburbs when I heard a weird sound coming from my engine. I panicked internally, but I kept a level head and and I pulled over to the side of the street. After the momentum leaves my bike I let myself register what happened. I just sit a moment and breath a sigh of relief before I took in my surroundings. It was busy downtown, and shops around me looked pretty busy.

That's probably because it was Valentines day though. I tried to start the engine but it was not going to budge. I make a quick call to a tow truck company and made the arrangements. They would take it to the shop and me home. I looked in my pockets and only found five dollars. Definitely not enough for the pizza shop on the street or the café.
There was a sign in the window of the café for a ten dollar dinner for couples celebrating today.
I was debating on calling a uber driver after trying the engine a few more times. I was so busy I almost didn't notice the beautiful caramel colored hand that gently tapped my arm to get my attention. I take my helmet off and shake my hair out to fix my helmet hair.

I looked up at the woman the hand belonged to and she asked if I needed any help.
"I don't think so. I have a tow truck coming.... but he might take a while." I said right before my stomach growled. I felt my face get warm, but then I had a brilliant idea.
"Hey if your not busy do you want to take advantage of that discount at that cafe over there for Valentines day? We could go in fifty-fifty" I said casually.
The stranger smiled at me and laughed. "I actually had a pint of Ben and Jerry's calling my name at home, but that doesn't sound like such an awful idea. It's better than spending Valentines day alone." she said adjusting her loose fitting blue shirt. She was wearing a really chic outfit. She had on a black pair of skinny jeans, ballet flats, and a matching floppy straw hat. Her hair went in waves down her back.
I got off my bike and stood in front of the stranger in front of me. She stood a little taller than me, and I noticed that she had a very thin frame.
"I'm Alice Piasecki" I said reaching my hand out. I was in a feminine pants suit that I wore to work.
She took it and said "Amara Ravenwood" she said shaking my hand firmly.
"Are you ready for our date then Miss Piasecky". she asked with a hug smile extending her arm out.
"Yes I am" I said as I wrapped my arm in hers as we walked to the café.

I know what your going to say. Why aren't you even a little freaked out by this? This is a stranger you LITERALLY just meet on the street. Well, I'm a lawyer. I work with crazy people everyday. I'm good at spotting crazy. This woman standing to my right didn't look like she could hurt a fly. Even her presence, was just kind of...comforting.

Not to mention she was gorgeous.

When we walked in and found a table I pulled her chair out for her and she smiled brightly before saying "well don't you just make a girl feel special." with a huge smiled before sitting down. She had a nice smile. I thought as I went to sit in mine. Almost immediately a waiter came over to take our order.
"Here are two menus, what can I get you lovely ladies to drink." He said with his notepad ready.
"I'll take a water" I said as I looked at her.
"I'll have a root beer" she said timidly.
The waiter wrote it down and left.
"So since we just met five minutes ago, do you want to play twenty questions? I feel like I should know at least a little bit about you since we are having dinner on Valentines day" she said almost comically.
"Sure, where do you work?" I asked.
"I work at Thomas Jefferson elementary. I'm a preschool teacher, And you?" she asked.
"I'm a defence attorney, it's hard work but It pays well" I shrugged.
"I couldn't imagine dealing with children all day, power to you." I said looking at the menu.
"What do you do when your not working?" She asked.
"Honestly? If I'm not riding my bike or binge watching Netflix I usually go camping in between big cases. Sometimes it great to get away and enjoy nature" I said as memories flashed through my head. "And you".
"I'm either shopping or working on my book. I hope to get published one day." She said happily.
"What's your story about?" I asked interested.
"Oh you know the usual. Aliens attacking the planet which leads to a zombie apocalypse. When the population really gets scarce they find out that the American government has an underground city. Where they evacuated choice people in America to survive so they can repopulate the earth after its all over.
"In the end the aliens find the cure and teach the humans the advanced science they have learned that's so far ahead of us that it makes quantum physics look as easy as ABC's. Thus ending all belief in any religion and war. Making humans a much more advanced species." She said getting more excited as she talked.
"That's sounds like alot, and to be honest a book I would read...when will it be published?" I asked making a mental note to buy it.
"I haven't found an editor or anything yet, I'm just focusing on finishing it right now." She said shrugging.
"Huh, okay umm favorite food" I asked returning to the game.
"Anything chocolate" she said very seriously.
"I like fruit" I said after a few moments of laughter.
"Really? That's interesting" she said her giggling dying down. The waiter came back with our drinks and took out his notepad.
"Okay are you ladies ready to order" he said cheerily winking at Amara.

I instantly get jealous and put my hand over hers and say "we are actually getting the couple special for tonight." I said hoping he gets the message.

He didn't.

He looked confused and said "that's for couples celebrating Valentines day not......" He trailed of looking at our held hands. Amara had laced her fingers through mine and gave me a beautiful smile. I could tell I was blushing so I looked away.
"My apologies ma'am. the special is bread sticks with marinara, then two salads, and a huge plate of spaghetti and meatballs." He finished.
"You two are an adorable couple by the way" he said his face turning pink.
"Actually can we get the spaghetti without meatballs? I'm vegetarian." She said shyly.
Well that's admirable. I thought as he looked between us.
"What can I say" I said shyly. "She's tried to convert me many times, I just can't get over bacon." I said with a semi-forced smile.
"Yes we can arrange that, would you like some on a side dish,miss?" He asked looking at me.
"No don't mind me what's one meal? I'm fine." I said with a genuine smile looking back at Amara.
Once he left she apologized but I was not going to have that. "No its fine, I think its completely admirable. And I would feel bad for eating it in front of you and it's not really that important with spaghetti" I said to ease her.
"And I forgot to tell you but I ummm, well I'm gay. I didn't think about it at the time but if it makes u uncomfortable..." I said pulling my hand away gently.
"No" she said putting her hand on mine, "I'm actually bisexual." She said before smiling and looking down at her drink.
Tonight was definitely getting interesting. Slowly I lace my fingers through hers. I feel my stomach churn and I smile. After a few second I look up at her and we carry on our game of twenty questions through dinner. The feeling in my stomach stayed and honestly..... I'm glad my bike decided to mess up. Because I wouldn't be here now, and I had a big feeling my life would never be the same after tonight.