Right In Front Of Me...

Chapter 7

When Sal gently placed me on the ground, we both noticed i forgot to pick up my shoes; and left them on the ground outside my work.
"Only you would manage to do that" Sal said with a laugh. I just stood there and laughed too. We walked into the little restaurant (which wasn't that posh. More like a glorified cafe), we chose a table next to the window. We both scanned through the menus as we decided on what to have.
"The chicken salad looks nice" Sal said. "I might have that. What about you?" Sal asked me.
"I'll have the same" i replied. Sal got up and placed our order in at the counter. I looked behind where Sal was sitting to see Joe, Q and Murr. As soon as Sal came back i told him they were here.
"The guys are behind you" i whispered.
"Thats awkward. I just said I wouldn't go to lunch with them" Sal said to me. I just laughed. "Lunch is better with you anyway" Sal said to me with a warm smile.
"Why? Im the most boring person in the World" I chuckled.
"Your not. Your funny and sweet..and probably not planning a punishment every time i mention something i hate" Sal joked.
"That is very true" i replied. I sat there for a moment thinking of how Id make my way home from work, when i remembered about my car. "I totally forgot about my car" i said, face palming.  "I cant even afford to get it fixed" i whined.
"I'll take a look at it if you'd like. See if i can work on it" Sal offered. "I could do it today. I have nothing else to do" he added.
"Only if your sure" I said to him, with a smile.
"I wouldn't offer if I wasn't sure" he said with a warm smile.

Soon after, our food arrived on the table. We began eating when Sal told me some news.
"Now dont hate me" he began, which made me know something was wrong.
"Why?" I asked cautiously.
"I cant make it to our movie night tomorrow" Sal blurted out. (Every year since i can remember, me and Sal would spend every Saturday night together watching movies no matter what!).
"What why??" I asked, quite outraged.
"I kinda...have..a..date" Sal stuttered. Those words hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt my heart breaking which was unusual. Ive never had those feelings before- let alone with Sal. Maybe i..like..him- more than a friend!?
"Em!" Sal said to shake me out of my daze.
"A..date. With who?" I asked.
"Some girl Murr is setting me up with" he revealed. I just nodded not being able to get any words out.
"Your not mad are you?" Sal asked, slightly pouting with puppy dog eyes which melted my heart.
"No of course not" i said softly, holding his hand across the table. "Im just surprised. I didnt think you were the one for dating thats all" i said to him.
"Well... I will be when the right girl comes along" he said.
"And has she?" I asked, staring into his eyes- hoping for a yes that he would say me.
"Well-" he began until Murr, Q and Joe came over to the table; causing me and Sal to let go of each others hands.
"HEY GUYS!" Joe shouted.
"Uh..hey Joe" Sal replied.
"Hi guys" i said to them.
"We haven't interrupted have we?" Q asked, sensing the chemistry between us.
"No no no" me and Sal said at once.
I glanced down at my watch, seeing I was almost going to be late for work.
"I have to go" i said, standing up. Sal quickly got up and pushed past by the guys to stand by me.
"I'll walk you back" he said, until i realised i had no shoes.
"Do you mind if we quickly stop at a shop to get me some shoes" i said, causing Sal to laugh as he nodded.

We quickly stopped at a shop and bought the cheapest pair of shoes that i could wear. We began to walk back to my work.

As we arrived outside my office; we stood there for a moment.
"So I'll come and pick you up from work and then see if i can fix your car" Sal said.
"Your too good to me" I said, hugging him tightly.
"Well you deserve good things" he replied, causing me to smile.

****
After a long afternoon at work; I ended up finishing early. Sal picked me up, and as soon as i arrived home i slumped onto the sofa. Sal at next to me, and noticed the sun was still outside.
"Should i make a start on your car?" Sal asked.
"Yeah, but i want to repay you in some way" i said.
"Tell you what- make me a cold glass of lemonade and we will call it even" he said winking at me; which made my heart melt.

My kitchen faced my garage; so i could see Sal as he worked on the car. The bonnet was lifted up as Sal leaned against it to look closely at the engine. As it was pretty hot outside so Sal wore his shorts and a t-shirt. He was slightly sweaty, causing his hair to be messy too.
'He's so gorgeous' i thought. 'Surely.. I didn't fancy him..did I?'
As i was so distracted to looking at him as he was irresistible- I ended up spilling the lemonade everywhere. I quickly cleaned up and went to join Sal outside. I handed him his drink then stood beside him.
"Do you know whats wrong with it?" I asked.
"I think so" he replied, studying the engine. He just looked so adorable. I stood their, admiring him, wondering why i had developed these feelings. I had fancied him when we were younger but those feelings went. But all of a sudden.. i have butterflies in my stomach and my heart melts when he smiles at me. But it was too late to tell him as he was going on a date tomorrow.....