Masquerade, A Tom Hiddleston Story

Part 15 "Hakuna Matata"

"Its too fast right? I mean who does that? It is technically our 3rd date" I asked again to Meghan, my best friend since school days.

She shrugged her shoulders, her long ginger hair moving slightly.

"I think it's sweet... He clearly is mad for you..."

"But meeting his family? That's way too soon. I'm just not ready" I sighed. Sipping my Cosmopolitan. We were having drinks after dinner in a cozy little lounge in the city. A usual on a weekend night. Sean, Meghan's husband is a Doctor who works late. And I'm the loyal single friend keeping her awake until he can see her.

"When you are not ready then you are not ready. But it doesn't mean that what he did is not sweet..." Meghan remarked.

"Everything is just so intense so fast. Lightning speed. I like him but I'm kind of overwhelmed" I explained.

"Okay I get you... It's not your style. You always have to be Ice Queen or you have a nervous breakdown" Meghan rolled her eyes.

"I am not ice queen!"

"Oh c'mon, we've been friends forever so I get to say this to your face. You always have to be this tough as nails, strong and independent woman. Which is good. But it won't kill you to open your heart sometimes.... Especially when this sweetheart of a man comes knocking"

I gave her an annoyed look. But she is right. She knows me too well. And yes she can say it to my face.

We have always been total opposites her and I. She is always this popular, happy go lucky and vivacious redhead with seemingly boundless pep and energy. Smiley and happy to anyone and everyone. And me? I'm the brooding blonde with dagger eyes sitting in a corner sketching. If you don't know me well enough, it's possible that you assume I'm just a bitch with an attitude.

"But it will be a disaster and you know it. What would I do? What will I say? I don't do well with meet the parents" I sighed.

"I was not finished. There is a 'but' coming. But... Once you open up, you are sweet, caring and loyal... Remember when Sean came in to our lives?" I smiled as she chose to use the words 'our lives'. It's so natural now that Sean is also my best friend and not only my best friend's husband. But it didn't start out that way.

"I was an arse..." I laughed.

"Yes you were... But you didn't want to share me. And when you found out you didn't have to, you and him get along like a house on fire" she tapped my hand decisively.

"My point is Kate... Those who take the time to get to know you, see what I see. And I bet that's why the lad is dying to introduce you to his family." Meghan held up a perfectly manicured finger calling Sean who just walked in to the lounge looking super worn out from work.

His face light up when he caught her eye and made his way to us.

"Hello my love..." He kissed Meghan and grinned at me "Hello Kate... Why the long face?"

"Boy troubles" Meghan explained.

"No trouble... Just a situation" I protested.

"You remember the guy I told you about right? The one she went out on a date when I slept over at her place? When you had that big surgery?"

Meghan proceeded to fill in my latest dillema to Sean. Taking liberty with events and dialogs. I couldn't help smiling as two of the closest people in my life discuss my love life as if I'm a character on a TV show.

"Kate has the right to say no..." Sean started.

"That's not the point, the point is she needs to be open to new ideas. If she wants to be with this man... He clearly is upset that she said no." Meghan argued.