After Eternity

Chapter 31

Phil and James gathered for a coffee at the bar of the hotel while the women went down for shopping at the 5th avenue and they could easily pass on that. Since they hadn't been able to spend time alone, they decided to gather together and let the women have their fun and time running from Prada to Calvin Klein and to Carolina Herrera and so on. The 5th avenue is known for holding the most expensive brands and women loved it. It was like Rodeo Drive in LA, but New York was more stylish and much more agreeable than LA. James, for some reason disliked LA a whole bunch.

"How are you feeling?" Phil asked James as he sipped on his cappuccino. A soft white line of cream remained on his lips and he ran his tongue over it to clean it.

"About yesterday?" James asked just to be sure. Phil nodded and James shrugged lightly but his lines had changed to a more rigid semblance, Phil noticed. He thought for a second with his eyes set on his black coffee cup and then he turned his head to look at his friend who was sat by his side. "I'm fine." He simply said.

Phil cocked an eyebrow at him. The answer had been short and dry. "Really? Because it took a while to say just that."

"Man..." James closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. His hand holding his cup of coffee strongly, like he was choking something. "It's so wonderful to be with her and at the same time so hard..." There he opened his eyes to find Phil staring attentively at him.

"Why hard?" Phil looked at his face trying to study his lines. He had known James for so long that he could read all his signs just by his gestures but that time, there were almost none that could guide him into more knowledge. Just a little something here and there, all mixed. It was hard to read him.

"Because I am so terrified of losing her, Phil." He said confiding in one of his best friends. Phil, together with Cliff, was his wingman.

"Why?" Phil asked so confused looking at him. "Are you even you? I mean, you were always so confident. You knew when you were going to have a woman, when you were going to bang her, when you were going to leave her... why this insecurity with Diana?" He tried to understand.

"I don't know!" He exclaimed feeling frustrated and trying to keep his tone down though he really wanted to speak louder. "I have never felt for anyone Phil, ANY-ONE..." He enhanced."... what I feel for Diana. Maybe that is where my fear lies. I have no clue."

"She likes you." Phil smiled supportive. "It's so clear how she feels about you. You have nothing to fear..." Then he rolled his eyes and nodded."...ok, her ex being here must be tough, but she hasn't changed a bit, has she?"

"No..." He smiled. Diana had still been caring and supportive and loving him the same way. Nothing had changed in her.

"Then stop being afraid." He punched his arm lightly and James chuckled. "She got you really bad, motherfucker." James laughed there.

"And she has no idea about it." He said then still with a smile on his lips and shaking his head lightly.

His eyes shining a bit. Phil watched his friend melt right there in front of his eyes like never before. James was completely in love with Diana, Phil concluded right there without having any doubts about it.

"You thought you just wanted to have sex with her..." Phil laughed.

James shook his head. "I knew it wasn't just it right after the first time we've done it."

"I love to say this..." Phil made a victorious face and James began to laugh.

"Bring it on... come on..." He said facing him and opening his arms as if he was going to take a bullet. "Come on..." He chuckled and Phil laughed.