Elise walked through the door into Granny’s and heard the bell tinkle to announce her entrance. The cafe’ was busy but there were still a couple of empty seats. She scoured the room for Joel or Anna and was disappointed when neither was there. She checked her watch. She was thirty minutes early, and weaved through the tables to the counter. The room had a hum of its own, customers talked some relaxed, some excited and some just sat quietly enjoying the warmth of the coffee and the unique ambience of the place. She had told Joel to arrive half an hour after Anna, but her friend was often late and she hoped he did not arrive first.
She found herself at the counter and realized that the girl was smiling at her politely. “Sorry.” She mumbled, routing for her purse. “Could I have a latte, please?”
The girls smiled and turned to the highly polished silver and black machine that soon started to steam and hiss as the girl expertly twisted leavers and pressed buttons, before putting the cup under the frother to bring the drink to milky perfection. Elise paid and took her drink to a grey plastic table that was next to the window. A small bunch of yellow flowers that she did not recognize, adorned the center. Sat on the next table was a nice looking man he was totally absorbed with a Grande white mug of steaming coffee. He had thick, shoulder length black hair, an olive complexion and a mysterious face.
Elise turned as the cafe’ bell tinkled and saw Anna bustling in. She was back in her leather mini shirt and wearing a fitted red top that accentuated her ample figure. She waved and zipped through the tables just as the waitress brought over a cappuccino. Laughing she dropped some bags and sat herself down.
“Special treatment?” Elise asked her eyes flicking to the departing waitress.
“I’ve been helping out here, since Fay moved.” She paused for a sip of coffee and sighed with contentment. “Oh I needed that.”
Elise dropped her eyes, her face warming with embarrassment as she noticed Joel outside the cafe’. He waivered, his hand poised over the handle, and then paused to straighten his tie before running a hand through his thick black hair and opening the door. The bell tinkled and Elise started in her chair. “I asked Joel to meet me today.” She looked up to see Anna grinning.
“I know,” Anna said. “I think he’s lovely.” Anna waved at the door and encouraged Joel over to the table.
“Hi Ladies,” Joel said in a voice that caressed Elise’s nerves and felt like warm syrup in her stomach. He smiled at her before tugging on his left ear. Was he nervous? Elise thought as she recognized his tell, or was he clever enough to be playing her? She felt her smile slip and clenched her jaw. Her pulse had soared on seeing him and she knew she had to be careful, this man was a danger to her.
Anna indicated the seat next to her, and he eased himself into the small chair.
“It is so good to see you again,” he said holding Elise’s eyes with his. “You look fantastic. I hope the job is going well.”
Elise was staring at her coffee cup, the creamy liquid was covered in almost white bubbles and it felt so warm and solid in her hands. She felt a kick to her ankle and looked up to see Joel’s eyebrow raised and Anna grinning at her. “Yes. Thank you. What did you want to talk about?” She sat back in the chair and folded her arms, partly to hide the slight tremor in her fingers when she let go of the cup.
Joel looked at Anna, and then back at Elise. This was not going how he had hoped. With most women he was confident, in control and besides he could take them or leave them. Since Elise had left he had hardly slept and he thought about her constantly. He needed to see her just a few more times and he would get her out of his system, so he had to play this well, had to have another date. “I know I hurt you and I wanted to apologize and to make it up to you. Maybe we could see a movie, and have dinner.” The original plan, that was creative.
“I... I don’t know. I live here now and you live in London. What would be the point?”
At that moment Anna’s phone rang. “Yes,” she said and then hung up. “Elise. I have to go, walk me to the door.” She kissed Joel’s cheek and stood. “Mr. Sakharov, it was nice to meet you. Don’t keep denying your feelings and things will go much better.”
Anna took Elise’s hand and pulled her towards the door, stopping just before it. “He’s fantastic and he is at a crossroads, you can be happy together but you need to take a risk.”
Elise felt a flush of anger hit her cheeks, how dare Anna get involved. But her friends hand on her shoulder seemed to calm the fire and let her think. “I really liked him for so long. I turned him down again and again when really I wanted to jump his bones and when I finally relented he made a fool of me.”
“No.” Anna squeezed her arm. “He has been a predator and he did not realize what he had until you left. Give him a chance but play it cool. He still has a little bit to learn. My bet is if he saw you with David he would be down on one knee in no time.”
Elise let out a squeal of laughter, but found her friend was not laughing. Anna pulled open the door and left with a smile. Elise looked at that door, should she just go? Her bag was at the table, reluctantly she walked back, her legs seemed like lead, maybe she was training too hard?
Joel stood as she reached the table, and bobbed as she sat down. A slight giggle wanted to emerge, he was nervous. Of course no woman had ever turned him down, she was just a challenge.
“I would love to take you to a movie or dinner and I promise that will be all that will happen, what do you say?” He looked more confident now as if he was making a presentation and that was something he had been so good at.
Elise wanted to say yes, her pulse was racing and she had the urge to run her fingers through his hair and pull him to her. She wanted the perfect relationship she had always imagined but it was not to be, not with this man. She took a breath, gathering her thoughts. “Joel, it was nice to catch up but I have a new life now. I really think it would be better if you just left.” Ignoring the rest of her latte she stood, and held out her hand. He stood his usually light eyes were the dark green of a pond before the storm. He took her hand, his handshake firm and a little too long. At the touch of his skin, Elise felt a current run up her arm, dancing on her skin and squeeze her heart. She wanted to pull him to her, but she would stay strong, that was only more heart ache. “It was nice seeing you again, goodbye.” She turned and with her head held high she walked out of the coffee shop, the bell sounded like a funeral call as the door clanged shut behind her.
Joel slumped back into the chair. Maybe he should just go home, but having seen her again he wanted her even more. He would stay a few days. Anna had said she was running a half marathon on Sunday, he could stay till the Wednesday after, watch the race, support her and see if he could change her mind. The first thing he would do was send her a big bunch of flowers.
Hope you're enjoying this. Next part next friday :)
