A/N: Had a bit of writer's block but I'm back to normal now so here we go.
We’re sat in a diner that I’ve never been to before. It’s small and cosy and the waitress seemed happy to see us, greeting Kirstie like they were old friends. ‘Do you come here often?’ I cringe at how much that sounds like a bad pick-up line but she doesn’t seem to realise. ‘Yeah. Me and Scott came a couple of times back when we lived together and now I come here sometimes to just hang out and think.’ ‘Well thanks for bringing me it’s really cool.’ ‘I thought you might like it.’ We sit in silence for a couple of minutes. ‘So this is a date then?’ ‘If that’s ok, I kind of didn’t ask you.’ ‘It’s more than ok with me. It’s pretty much exactly what I wanted.’ ‘How are we doing this then? Are we pretending none of what happened before ever happened?’ ‘Can we do that? Because it’s been pretty difficult so far.’
She looks at me and bites her lip and I remember her doing the exact same thing in a cupboard at a recording studio as she tried to keep herself from screaming my name. Usually we managed to wait until we finished for the day and go to one of our apartments (normally hers since she started living alone) but that day we hadn’t been able to be patient. It had been a long day of being sat too close on too small couches, trying to focus on the answers to the same questions over and over and feeling her pressed against my side and my resolve was pitifully weak. Weak enough that when she glanced deliberately from me to the door I didn’t even try to resist. We had a twenty minute break and thirty seconds after she left the room I followed, meeting her half way down the corridor and practically dragging her to the store cupboard that I had seen earlier.
I pull myself out of the daydream and look over to see her watching me curiously. ‘Sorry. I uh got distracted.’ ‘Yeah I thought as much.’ There’s a hint of humour in her voice and I’m certain she knows almost exactly what I was just thinking. ‘Maybe you just answered your own question. There’s been too much between us to act like we’ve just been friends this whole time.’ Her voice sounds conflicted. ‘So what’s the other option?’ ‘I don’t know Avi. I want this but it’s just too weird. We’ve spent so long trying to avoid having feelings for each other.’ We haven’t even ordered yet and this seems to be going badly. As I’m thinking that the waitress walks over. ‘Ready to order. I’m Claire by the way since she probably forgot to tell you.’ Kirstie sticks out her tongue and then we both busy ourselves choosing from the menu and I’m glad to have a break from the conversation.
It doesn’t help all that much though since as soon as she’s taken my order the waitress turns to Kirstie and strikes up a cheerful conversation. Kirstie’s all smiles and compliments and asking about her family and I think I’m falling in love all over again. She’s so effortlessly kind and charming and it makes her so beautiful that it’s like she’s glowing. I’m not really concentrating until I hear my name. ‘What?’ They both laugh but there’s affection in Kirstie’s eyes that makes me feel less embarrassed. ‘I was just saying that it’s exciting to finally meet the famous Avi. You’re all she ever talks about.’ Kirstie’s mouth falls open. ‘Hey that’s not what you said!’ ‘It is true though.’ ‘Stop it, you’re so embarrassing.’ Kirstie’s bright red now and she’s trying to look angry although her eyes give her away. ‘Ok I’ll leave you to it. Make sure you treat her nicely though or I’ll come over and kick your ass.’
‘What is it about you that makes everyone so protective?’ She shrugs, still flushed and embarrassed. ‘Because whatever it is it does exactly the same thing to me as it does to her and it seems to do it to Scott, Mitch and Kevin as well.’ She smiles. ‘I have no idea. As much as it’s brilliant I do wish you’d all tone it down sometimes, I’m mostly capable of taking care of myself.’ I’ve never really thought about it before. Scott and Kevin consider her as their little sister. Mitch is younger than her but still acts almost the same way. We’re not always the most accommodating to potential boyfriends. ‘Sorry about that.’ ‘No, it’s sweet for the most part. So what are we doing then?’ ‘Well we’re getting food and.’ She rolls her eyes and hits my arm gently. ‘You are so annoying. What on earth do I see in you?’ ‘I really don’t know. Especially since you’re the most beautiful, sweet, kind and interesting person I’ve ever met as well as being one of the most talented.’
Her face lights up and she reaches for my hand, tangling her fingers with mine. ‘You are too sweet. I don’t even know how to deal with it.’ ‘Mitch and Scott say things like that all the time, it can’t still be a shock.’ ‘It means something different when you say it.’ Her voice is soft and serious. I lift her hand to my mouth slowly and when my lips touch her skin her eyelids flutter closed. There’s a cough from beside us and I look round to see Claire stood beside us with our food. ‘Do you two need a moment or are you ready to eat?’ I let go of Kirstie’s hand and thank Claire as she puts our plates down. She winks at us as she leaves and Kirstie groans in embarrassment. The food is amazing and I laugh as she digs in enthusiastically. When she’s finished and I’m almost done she looks me directly in the eyes. ‘This is going to be weird however we go about it isn’t it?’ ‘Most likely.’ ‘Well it’s lucky that I think it’s worth it.’
