Off The Record

Part 4: Missed Opportunities

I start walking back to Alex, he's still smiling at me.

"Don't tell me you have to go." Alex said with a slight twinge of sadness.

"Oh of course not! My boss just wants me to get a story on this band playing tonight." I stopped, I have a good idea. "Hey why don't you go with me? We could get roaring drunk and forget about our problems for a while. I'm sure you'd like the band too" I said while smiling at him.

Alex looked down for a second and then he looked at me. I could tell he didn't want to be alone. "It sounds like fun, I need something to do." he said.

"Perfect, the show starts at 8 I think. I'll have to check, you know I feel like it would be easier if I had your number. Do you mind?"  I said while holding my phone to Alex. He smiled at me. 

"I don't have any problems with that." He took my phone and added his number. Wow I have Alex Turner's number in my phone. Never thought I'd say that. Okay, this isn't going to happen. We're friends. I mean friends. He's sweet but broken, and I need my job. Alex hands me back my phone.

"I'll text you so you'll have my number." I said. This day couldn't get any better. "So tonight should be fun."

"With you Marilyn, I'm sure it will be." Alex said while smiling at me. He's starting to seem happier, I'm glad. I could sit here and talk to him for hours. He just seems the the kind of guy to have so many stories. 

"Oh please, you're probably more fun than me." I said while nudging him. Wait, why am I flirting with him? 

Alex laughed and looked down at the ground. His phone buzzed, he glanced at it quickly. "I hate to do this but I have to get going." His mood changed back to sadness and despair. He started to stand up.

"Oh sure, thats fine." I said while standing up. "Are you still able to come tonight?" I asked Alex.

He smiled at me, "I wouldn't miss it for the world." He came closer to me and gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek; they felt so right. He pulled away from the hug and  looked into my eyes. It felt like time had slowed and the only people in the world were us. He started to lean in to my lips and closed his eyes. I pulled away slightly, "I'm sorry Alex, I don't want it to be this way. You're hurt, and..." I said.

Alex looked at the ground and said "You're right, I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking."

"It's okay, lets be friends, okay?" I said with a slight smile.

"Friends." Alex said.