A Matter of Perspective

18 - Oli

"You almost ready, Evie?" Oli shouted through the flat, checking his hair in the hallway mirror. "We can't let them beat us. Especially while jet lagged."

His girlfriend breezed out of the bathroom, tousling her dark hair with her right hand, checking her phone with her left. "Di just texted, they haven't even left yet."

Oli smirked, "Ha. I knew it! Joe texted me they were on their way...lies! Wait, maybe he's setting me up for a prank..."

"You two are so ridiculous," Evie rolled her eyes playfully at her boyfriend's competitive nature with his longtime friend, shrugging on her jacket. "But if we must absolutely beat them to dinner, let's go."

Oli grabbed her hand, leading her out onto the dark street toward the small and secluded restaurant where they'd agreed to meet Joe and Dianne for a long overdue double-date over a lovely Sunday roast. Mulling over all the possible pranks his friend could have up his sleeve, he peered around the dark street as they approached the front door.

"Get a grip, Ol, they're not here yet," Evie sighed as she tugged on his hand.

"Joe is crafty, Evie," he replied, still peeking out behind his shoulder, as his girlfriend checked them in for their reservation. Not seeing any proof of his friends arriving before them, he followed the hostess to the back of the restaurant, taking a peek for any visible bright red hair. Oli liked a lot of things about Dianne, and one of those things was that she made it difficult for Joe to go incognito. Quite convenient for avoiding the king prankster's diabolical schemes.

"Oh, there they are!" Evie grinned, waving enthusiastically toward the door as Oli looked up a few minutes later, confusion on his face. He watched as Joe and Dianne walked in hand-in-hand, speaking quickly to the hostess before turning their gaze to the back of the room, their eyes lighting up as they spotted Evie waving.

"Hi, hi, hi!" Dianne chirped as Joe pulled her forward, jumping up and down on the balls of her feet as she leaned forward to give Evie a massive hug, and then Oli, before shrugging off her coat into Joe's awaiting arms.

"What, mate?" Joe grinned, leaning in to hug him quickly. "Why do you look so confused?"

"You're late...and you don't have a snake in your pocket? A marching band waiting in the wings? A salt shaker you're going to dump in my food?" Oli stared at his friend suspiciously, watching as his face transformed into a wide grin.

"See, Dot, I told you he'd be suspicious," Joe laughed, clapping his hands together. "Sometimes the best prank is no prank at all."

"Don't let him fool you," Dianne rolled her eyes, scooting in as they all took their seats. "When he texted, we really were leaving. Then I remembered I forgot to unplug my flat iron."

Joe returned the eye roll, "Shh, Dianne. Don't give away my secrets."

"So, no prank?" Oli grinned, studying his friend who was still staring fondly at the redhead beside him. "You're just honest to goodness late?"

"Yeah," Joe sighed in defeat, jerking his thumb toward Dianne, "All thanks to this one."

Dianne shrugged, smiling innocently, "And guess what, Joseph, the flat iron wasn't even plugged in when I went in to check."

"Are you serious?" Joe stared at her in disbelief, but was unable to hide his smile as Dianne giggled, nudging his shoulder with hers. "Jesus Christ."

"How are you guys?" Evie asked once she was done giggling along with Dianne, "You look so tan! Tell us all about Australia!"

Oli watched as the pair in front of him exchanged a look that could only be described as "electric" - it lasted no longer than a second, but the feelings between them were apparent, catching Oli somewhat off guard. It wasn't a surprise that they were in love - they had been from the very start - but the palpable electricity between them, somehow even stronger than the last time he'd seen them, was a bit disarming. He glanced to his right to see if Evie had noticed - by the slight smirk on her lips, he knew she had.