Troublemaker

Chapter Three

The dimly lit restaurant hid the warmth that Duncan felt spreading across his face. It would be difficult to say that he wasn’t attracted to the woman in front of him. Her dark green eyes were focused on the menu and his were focused on her. Her nose wrinkled as she read through some of the options a crease formed between her eyes that made him smile. However, she had made it clear that something was hanging up any sort of intimate relationship. He was willing to settle for a friendship as long as it meant remaining in her company and unraveling the mystery behind her clouded gaze.

After a few moments of letting her look over the options he leaned forward, “If you like chicken quesadillas this place has a mean one. You know, with actual stuff in it. Rather than just the shell.” Duncan trailed off as her gaze moved up to meet his and he realized he had been rambling. “Or I can just leave you alone to look.”

Sheena gave a little scoff without looking back down to the menu, “I’ve never been here before so opinions are always welcome.” While her tone had been warm and welcoming, the expression on her face didn’t quite seem to match up. There was no smile on her face, as her lips were pressed into a rather thin line. Her eyes were constantly scanning and analyzing her surroundings, but no joy seemed to reach them.

“Can I get your drink orders,” the waitress questioned with a bright smile.

Duncan nodded his head to Sheena who turned to the young woman, “Can I get a coffee. No cream.” He tried and failed to hide the horrified disgust that must have crossed his face because Sheena snorted rather loud and apologized.

“Can I just get a water please,” he  answered the waitress who nodded. Duncan leaned forward into the table and rest his chin upon his hand, “So tell me, trouble...what makes you hate yourself so much?”

Sheena sucked in the air sharply which only brought her to begin choking. Alarmed Duncan sat forward and patted her back. “What makes you say I hate myself,” she finally questioned rather hoarse.

Satisfied that Sheena was okay Duncan leaned back, “Well, I figured the act of drinking a black coffee was a form of punishment. Ruthless.”

Sheena fought the laughter that threatened to escape her lips, “I’m afraid I do rather dislike myself, but my coffee intake is much more of a comfort than a punishment.”

He couldn’t help the frown that took residence on his face at her reply. Rather than push too hard during their first experience with one another he decided to change the subject. “Trouble, if you could go anywhere, where would it be?”

The woman took a few moments to contemplate, choosing to run her fingers through her long hair as she thought. He wasn’t quite sure if it was more blonde or brown, but he found it somewhat fascinating anyway. “I suppose it’s rather cliche, but I’ve always wanted to tour the old english and scottish castles. Why do you keep calling me trouble when you know my name now?”

“Simple. You never told me your name, just Gran. Besides, I rather like calling you trouble.” A mischievous grin spread across his face, “Do you have a favorite color?”

Sheena seemed to relax in her chair as it seemed the two would question one another back and forth for the duration of the evening. However the thoughts that came during the questioning kept her from enjoying herself too much. “Baby blue,” she whispered in an attempt to keep her voice from breaking. “Does the group therapy actually help?”

Their questions had quickly taken a rather drastic turn. Duncan took the opportunity to thank the waitress for their drinks and both parties ordered before he gathered his answer. “It depends on the case I think. I still have trouble talking about what happened but I get closer every week. So I try to take that as progress, if only baby steps.”

Duncan couldn’t help the awkward silence that followed his confession. In some ways it seemed like he was much further than Sheena was on the road to managing whatever she was going through. “I’m sorry for asking. It was rude. Especially given that we’ve just met.”

He cleared his throat before looking up at her. Sheena had begun hiding her face behind a drink menu, but it didn’t seem like she was truly interested in it. “I wouldn’t call it rude as much as curious. If I thought you were being rude I would have told you as much.” A frown had developed on her face, and it appeared as though it was a rather common occurrence. Once more he cleared his throat to get her attention so she didn’t beat herself up over whatever thoughts were going through her head. God knew how many times he had beaten himself over his own situation.

When she finally did meet his gaze there were tears misting her eyes, “I’m sorry. I’ve ruined our dinner,” she whispered.

He quickly got up from his booth and shooed her to scoot over. Once he got her to move, he sat down beside her and let his hand rest on hers. “I don’t know what you’re going through Sheena, but you haven’t ruined anything. We haven’t even gotten the food,” he replied as a bit of a joke. “If it will help we can talk about what’s on your mind. Maybe we can work on a way to help you...manage.”

“Honestly, I think right now I could just use a hug,” she sniffled. “I think if I actually talked about it there would just be more waterworks.”

“Lucky for you I have two arms and I rather enjoy giving hugs.” Sheena gave a little snort before leaning in and resting her head on his shoulder. There was a sort of comfort and solidarity knowing that Duncan was feeling the same sort of pain she was. Perhaps it was because she had isolated herself for so long or maybe it was just time for Sheena to take some action to help herself.

When the two were satisfied that Sheena wouldn’t start crying again Duncan returned to his seat, taking her phone with him. She watched quietly as he typed something before handing it back. “What did you d-,” she stopped mid sentence and snorted at the screen. Duncan had added his number and texted himself, “Hey, sexy. Wanna go bowling tomorrow?”

Her screen lit up with a reply to his own question, “Sure trouble, thank you for thinking of me.” A wicked grin spread across his face when she looked up at him.

“You’re lucky. I don’t usually talk to people like you,” she commented with a smirk.

“You mean confident attractive males? Why ever not? You’re rather intelligent and pretty yourself,” he quipped.