Adam could learn that Adeline is in fact a student at the local uni with a major in rhetorical writing and interns at Jimmy's company. Other than that, that was pretty much it, since she seems to be talking to everyone but him.
"Excuse me for a second, I'm just going to powder my nose real quick." She said, which was her way of saying she needed a wee. She left the table and once she was out of sight Jenna immediately grabbed his arm and grinned widely.
"Oh my god you like her!" She exclaimed happily. And of course he did, but he wouldn't want to admit it as long as he knew she doesn't feel the same, brushed his ego a bit.
"What? No, I don't!" Hence, he lied.
"You do, stop lying!" She replied. Ok, he got caught. She even made all his acting abilities disappear, damn it. If he keeps being around her, he's going to loose his job.
"Yeah, seriously, you couldn't stop staring at her the whole time, stop pretending mate, you are whipped!" George laughed and patted him on the back.
"Well, who would have thought that the oh so famous charmer Adam Talley can have a real school boy crush." Jimmy mocked him. "But don't you dare to mess it up with her, we all fucking love her." He warned his friend. And the group agreed. Of course they did.
George apparently had known her for over five years, as Ruby did, they met back in university and when Adeline started her internship, Jim and her found out that they both just so happened to be friends of the same George, so that their group of friends mixed up a while back. She was deeply rooted into his favorite group of friends.
"Won't happen trust me, I don't think she even likes me back, s' been ignoring me all night." Adam stated with a bit of a sad undertone, keeping his head down. In a situation like this, when he was so up in head, his British accent stood out the most. No amount of time spent in California could ever change that.
"Oh so you do have a crush, I knew it." George said and leaned his left arm around Jenna, they all enjoyed this way too much for his liking.
"She's single, you know..." Jenna said and perhaps a little too eager he yelled a "Really?", that made the group laugh hysterically - just when she came back.
"What's going on here, huh? I'm gone for a minute and all at once you are having more fun than you've had all night!?" Adeline exclaimed with that fake-offended tone in her voice. Little did everyone know that she was only wildly trying to make her hair look at least a bit less frizzy in the bathroom.
"Adam was just telling this really funny story." Jimmy said, intending to not embarrass his friend in front of his very new love interest.
"Really? Care to elaborate?" She asked nonchalant and sat down. Now actually looking at him, and yes that was what she wanted to do all night but was too shy to do.
Adam gave his friend a look that said pretty much thank you, you bastard.
"Yeah mate, tell 'er!" George exclaimed, cheekily.
"Uhm...so I was just saying how, you know..." To stammer in front of a girl was not his thing, all in all he can't remember the last time he was that nervous while trying to make anything up. He was trained though, media training and all.
"How I went to the states the other day, for work and....was at the loo and in the U.S. the cabins have this huge gape in between the stalls, so someone kinda saw me and recognized me. And began this really weird talk through this gap, so I was like, sorry but I'm kinda busy right now..."
He didn't even make this up though still, eventually not the best to mention, considering he wanted to impress. But she began to laugh and he loved it. Adeline didn't even fake it, she knew it must have been a little embarrassing to tell that story to someone who is almost a complete stranger. She even enjoyed listening to his speaking voice and that she was over her little ignoring stunt.
"Ugh wow that must have been...extraordinary that sounds really stalker-ish?" she chuckled.
"God yes, if you'd know..." he stated and shook his head a little.
Even if she noticed how quiet everyone around them was, she enjoyed the talk anyway.
After a while, food was served and George, Jimmy, Frank and Jenna got back to their own conversations, leaving them to their own talk. So Adam and Adeline could get to know each other better. And they did. He could learn that she has relatives in France, that she loves writing and has been doing it for all her life and most importantly that she shares his love for indie music. And Adeline just enjoyed listening to him talking about his sisters and LA and everything that came to his mind.
"So, you work, at Jimmy's company?" he asked.
"Yeah, yeah have been for half a year now, he's treating me like a slave." She joked.
"Ayyy that's not true, you are just outrageous, Adeline." Jimmy nudged her shoulder and smiled.
"Course I'm joking Jim, it's the best job I've ever had." she replied. "And that's why it's time for me to leave, gotta get out early tomorrow."
"Wait, what tomorrow is Sunday, why are you making her work on the weekend?" Adam asked Jim, he worked on weekends too once in a while but his secret plan was to ask her out for tomorrow.
"Ugh, don't blame this on me, I don't make the schedule! Besides on Sunday's the office is only open from 7 to 12!"
"Well then, if you really are that outrageous, I think I'm leaving too. I'm tired." Adam fake yawned and stretched his arms behind his head, making his muscles pop out a bit. Definitely were both actions not intended. Though he didn't know that Adeline didn't mind at all.
"Alright then, was great catching up guys, we gotta leave" They both made their way around the table, hugging all of their friends who looked way too giggly.
Adeline and Adam both got dressed, him even helping her with her jacket and left the small restaurant. He silently hoped that they wouldn't have to face any paps spotting them but it was dark and the area looked clean.
"Are you here by car?" He asked nonchalantly, his hands in the pockets of his blue coat.
"Yeah am, parked right over there.", she pointed at the little green car down the street.
"Alright, I'm going to walk you there" he said sheepishly.
"You really don't have to, it's not all that far."
"But well I want to!"
It was only a two minutes walk and they didn't talk a lot, simply enjoying having someone warm next to themselves in that chilly London night.
As they arrived they stood in front of each other a little too long, the silence becoming too loud. She decided to break it.
"I enjoyed tonight, it was nice meeting you!" Adeline grinned up at him. She was tall but definitely not as tall as him. Or as pretty, she thought looking up at all his dimples, his clean skin, plump lips, sharp jawline. Fuck.
She woke herself out of her little admiration and told him bye, getting into her little old car.
"Wait!" he almost yelled and his heart beat to his chest.
"What do you say? Wanna go out with me sometime?" He asked her with a tiny bit of nervousness even in his voice. His nails were scratching the back of his neck and his eyes were carefully watching her beautiful features, eager for an answer.
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That was a little exhausting to write but I hope you enjoyed reading it. Give me feedback pls, all the love xx
pic: https://live.staticflickr.com/1008/1428471397_c6206bd842_b.jpg

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Warmth | ✔️ #wattys2021
RomanceAdam Talley has made himself quite the name as an actor. As well as a reputation of a charmer in the lady department. And although he loves his job, a normal evening with friends still makes him the happiest. Even more so, when he first lays his eye...