Amarie

Stalking for Love

Ivory walked into Uncle Nancy's nervously and spotted Nate at a table. He stood up and pulled her chair out for her. Ivory looked a bit surprised but enjoyed this unexpected chivalry.

"Ok, are you sure we should do this?" Laura said.

"Yes. We need to make sure everything goes off smoothly," Amarie replied.

"Mmm, I don't know..."

"Laura! It's not like this is a crime."

"Is stalking a crime?"

"Only if they catch you. I'm kidding; only if we reach the legal standards for harassment."

They sat at a table near Ivory and Nate's and ordered hot chocolate. It wasn't horribly obvious, but if Ivory hadn't been staring at him the entire time she would've noticed. They were very distracted.

Ivory sat there being slightly uncomfortable until she blurted out, "Do you like me?"

Nate was a bit surprised and said "Of course I like you. You're a great friend."

"I mean do you like-like me. Like in fifth grade, that kind of like-like. But first, do you have a girlfriend?"

The tips of Nate's ears turned red as he said, "No, I don't have a girlfriend. Ha, forever alone."

"And yes, I might like-like you. A tiny bit of a lot. English words."

Ivory tried to hide a massive grin but failed. "I really like you too."

Nate smiled at her dreamily and reached for her hand across the table. They sat there holding hands for a while, just like Amarie had two days before, but Nate had a certain sincerity about him that Devan just didn't have. Amarie knew that Devan's affections were empty deep down, but Nate seemed to really mean it. She was happy that Ivory was having better luck.

Amarie was tapped on the shoulder by a tall man with glasses and pitch-black hair.

"Do you want some help spying on your friend? I could go pretend to mug her and Mr. Right could protect her or something."

Amarie flushed and said something like no.

"Well, good luck with their marriage. It's hard to find someone who doesn't mind commitment in this day and age."

"Thanks."

Once he left Laura gave Amarie that certain face that says 'he's into you.'

"Go over and talk to him!"

"Laura, this guy is a complete stranger. This isn't a book you know. I'm not going to end up with a prince charming handsome man that loves me more than life. Not yet anyways."

"Make it a book and go talk to him!"

"What do you mean 'make it a book'? My life isn't recorded!"

"Just go and frickity-darn talk to him!"

"FINE."

She walked over and tried to not vomit from nervousness.

"Hi. I don't need help stalking my friend, but would you like to sit with me? Maybe I could explain why I'm here."

"I'd love to."

"Great. What's your name?"

"Isaac."

"Amarie."

They sat down and she explained that Ivory is almost never interested in anyone, so this is important that it works out.

"Are you sure there isn't another reason you're here?" Isaac asked.

"Like what?"

"Like that, let me think, you want something to work out for your friend because it didn't work out for you."

"If you want to know if I'm single, ask."

"Are you single?"

"I am. You?"

"I am."

"Are you really this suave? I don't know, I just don't know anyone who can be that smooth all the time."

"No, thank god you saw through that because I wasn't sure I could keep my awkwardness at bay for much longer."

"I like you better awkward."

"You haven't seen anything yet!"

They smiled. 

"Can I get your phone number?"

"Yeah."

They swapped and parted ways. As he left Ivory and Nate were leaving and holding hands still. Laura ran up and said, "I am on a roll with matchmaking right now!"

"I'm so proud of you," Amarie said, still smiling.