A/N: not a particularly long chapter but quite a bit happens. After this I'm expecting maximum three more chapters. Thank you for all the support. Not sure when I'll be updating the other story, possibly tomorrow. Enjoy!
‘Um. Our mom doesn’t have any idea about the surprise we’re planning for her.’ Kirstie tilts her head to the side, looking confused. ‘I thought her birthday was in November.’ I decide I should step in and help Esther out. ‘For mother’s day.’ ‘Oh right, that’s so sweet! Avi, we were all going to go catch a movie you want to come? You can come too if you like Esther.’ ‘I’m ok thanks Kirstie, I have a date actually.’ ‘Ooooh that’s so exciting, have fun! Avi?’ ‘Sure, what movie?’ ‘No idea, Scott and Mitch are being super indecisive as usual.’ ‘Well I’d better go get ready. You guys have fun!’ ‘Bye Esther, have fun’
‘The others have taken Scott’s car so we can take mine if that’s cool?’ ‘Yeah sure.’ We walk out to the parking lot in silence. ‘Ok so, this is sort of an opportunity for us to talk if that’s ok? I feel kind of bad about yesterday.’ I’m not entirely sure how to respond. ‘Um ok.’ ‘I was quite blunt with you and then I feel like I was being unfair getting you to hug me like that after what you said.’ ‘It’s fine, don’t worry. You were right. You’ve only just broken up with Matt.’ ‘I’m sorry though.’ ‘You really don’t need to be.’ She smiles ‘You are far too nice. Get in the car Kaplan.’
We talk about nothing in particular for most of the car journey. She teases me about my dancing and we sing along to songs on the radio. ‘No but when Mitch fell over and then knocked Scott’s drink all over him.’ I burst out laughing at the memory of Scott trying and failing to be angry with Mitch. ‘They’re so silly.’ ‘Yeah but we love them.’ ‘We do.’ She sounds serious. ‘You ok?’ She nods but I can see her frowning as she focuses on the road. ‘You sure.’ ‘It’s just you.’ Well. That’s good to hear. She looks round briefly and notices my discomfort. She takes a deep breath. ‘I thought I was over you but I’m not. I just can’t get rid of these feelings and it’s so confusing.’ I don’t know what to say. ‘Ok. Well I think what I said yesterday makes it pretty obvious that I’m in the same situation.’ ‘Listen. I think we should cancel on the movie. Why don’t we grab some food or something? We could get takeout.’ ‘That sounds fine.’
About forty minutes later we’re sat at her table with a pizza between us. ‘So. This is the conversation we should have been having the other day then.’ She sighs and puts another piece of pizza on her plate. ‘I hate that Scott was right.’ ‘He does seem to be when it comes to us.’ ‘He knows me way too well.’ ‘What’s the plan then?’ She looks thoughtful and takes a bite of the pizza. ‘Well. We have feelings for each other.’ ‘We do.’ There’s a moment’s silence and then she giggles. Not the response I was expecting. ‘What?’ She shakes her head. ‘After all of this we’re having this conversation over takeout pizza in my kitchen.’ ‘What were you expecting?’
‘Hmmm I don’t know. Fancy restaurant. A picnic.’ ‘We could do that if you like?’ She smiles that smile that’s had me infatuated since the first day I met her and then blushes. ‘I would like that. But not yet if that’s ok.’ ‘That’s fine. We can wait.’ ‘Again. You are way too nice.’ ‘You deserve it.’ She blushes again. ‘If we’re going to wait then you may need to tone down the compliments.’ ‘I’m just being honest. We can wait as long as you need.’ She reaches out her hand and places it on top of mine ‘Thank you. Seriously. I’m not ready yet and I don’t want to ruin this because I think it could be something really special.’
Here it is. The big question. ‘How long do you think it’ll be? I don’t mind but it would be nice to have some idea.’ She smirks. ‘You don’t mind?’ It’s my turn to be embarrassed now. I’m not really all that good at playing it cool when it comes to her. ‘I don’t know Avi. I was with Matt for a long time and I don’t want to rush into anything.’ ‘It’s ok, you don’t have to decide anything now. I don’t plan on seeing anyone else so just whenever you’re ready.’ ‘You can see other people if you want to Avi. It would be unfair for me to stop you.’ ‘I don’t want. I’m not going to make the same mistake twice.’ She understands what I’m referring to almost instantly and sadness clouds her face.
‘I’m not going to waste my time trying to be with someone else when I just want you.’ She stands up from her seat and walks around the table. I hold out my arms and she steps into them, lying her head on my chest. ‘Well then. You’d better head back to your apartment or Kevin will wonder where you’ve disappeared to.’ She moves herself out of the hug gently ‘That would be a lot easier if I had a car.’ Realisation dawns on her face, closely followed by annoyance. ‘Shoot. Your car’s still at the studio. Come on then, I’ll give you a lift.’ There’s no awkwardness on the journey, we’re just two friends driving together. The thought that this is how it’s going to be for however long doesn’t make me feel sad or frustrated. I meant it when I said I could wait. It makes me smile. I’m glad that I’ll have time to be just friends with her. Time to prepare for what I’ve wanted for so long.
