Service • JDM

Friends

"Well, I just work at an office. Nothing fancy," you tell him nonchalantly. You thought that would be the end of the conversation but he kept it going.

"I'd actually enjoy a job at an office. 9-5. Sounds great actually. I would have more time to spend with my kid. With the restaurant I normally get night shifts so I don't see him a lot," he said with a saddened expression.

"If you don't mind me asking, how old is your boy?" You wondered how old he was because it could give you a sense of his family. Maybe they were just getting started?

"He will be 8 soon," he said with a smile. But this was a punch in the gut to you. 8?! That's like a fully grown kid. There was no way you'd let yourself destroy the family now. Wait, no. You have boyfriend... that's an ass. And Jeffrey is such a nice guy.

"Aw that is so sweet," you say with a smile. Even though you were upset about the news, you couldn't help but feel warm. The thought of his son put such a big smile on his face.

"Yeah. His name is Augustus, but I call him Gusy. I wasn't too sure about the name but I love it now. He's definitely a mommas boy though. I guess that comes with being the only working parent," he mentioned as he looked down at his hands. He began playing with the golden ring.

"You're the only one that works?" You say astonished. It must be difficult supporting a family with one job.

"Yep. I am. But Hilarie, my wife, she takes care of our candy store. I guess she kind of-" he begins to explain but I cut him off.

"You own a candy store? That's adorable!" I say quite loudly. Wow. Good job. You had to say the most awkward thing that loud. Now he's gonna think you're weird cause you called him adorable. Guys don't like being adorable.

I glance around us to find people giving us odd looks. I bow my head in embarrassment. "Sorry," you say as your hair hides your face.

Jeffrey chuckles and nods his head. "It's fine. It's called Samuels Sweets."

"Oh my gosh! I love that place," you state enthusiastically. "I'm glad to know that good people own it now."

Jeffrey smiled, obviously flattered by the subtle statement. "Yeah, it's a cute store."

Your small talk continued for what seemed like minutes. However, in reality it was an hour. You chatted away even after your food was finished. That was until a phone began ringing.

"Oh hang on, sorry," Jeffery said as he shifted in his seat to get his phone out. You couldn't help being amused by his ringtone. It was the old motorcycle sound that was a default on iPhones. Little did you know, that it was special to him. "Hey Hil."

Ah. So it was his wife. The woman that you haven't even met and you're already jealous of. You watched Jeffrey's facial expressions, finding him go from pleased to annoyed.

The moment you realized it was rude to watch he stood up from his seat. "Hilarie, I'm trying," he groaned as he ran his hand through his hair. "All I do is work Hil. I just wanted to hang out with friends." He says as he looks down at you.

Friends. A step. Whether it put you straight into the friend zone or it gave leverage for a new level, you meant something.

"Well he's sick right now. I didn't want to take him out." He made hand gestures like she was right in front of him. He slowly turned his back to you, focused on the conversation. "Well do you wa-" and he went silent. His head dropped with a heavy sigh as he slid his phone into his pocket. He turned back to you with sorrow in his eyes. "I'm sorry but I have to go."

He began to pull out his wallet but you stopped him. "No, Jeffrey. It's okay I can pay," you say as you subconsciously put a hand on his arm. Realizing what you did, you quickly pull away.

Jeffrey stares at the spot where you r hand rested. "No I-I insist," he says as he glanced to you.

"It's fine, really. Go home and do what you need to."

Jeffrey, slowly nodded. "Thank you." He gave you one last smile and hurried out the door.

His wife must've been pretty upset to make him lose his cool. He seemed so calm and collected before she called. But he did mention someone being sick. Maybe it was Gus?

You paid for the meal and began heading out to your car. When you got there, there was a piece of paper on your window shield. You instantly thought it was a ticket.
Damn, you thought, it was such a nice day so far.

You grabbed the paper once you reached the drivers side and sat down. You began to think about just happened. He left. That was it. No way to contact him or anything. All you knew was where he worked and his candy shop. But it would be very odd to go in there and ask for him. You just didn't want that to be the last time you got to see him.

With a sigh you look down at the ticket find that it wasn't a receipt type paper. It was a piece of napkin. You quickly flipped it over and your jaw dropped.

"Sorry about that. Let me pay for our next meal. - Jeff." At the bottom of the paper was his number and an adorable smiley face.

Dammit, he is smooth.