The Best is Yet to Come

Seventeen: Emma

Noah proved to be exceptionally good at making me smile. I didn't care, though, because every time that he was able to make the corners of my lips turn up, I saw Noah smile even brighter than I had in satisfaction and it made my heart warm.

Noah's plan for lunch ended up requiring him to get an Uber, the restaurant being too far to walk. He didn't tell me where we were going but frankly I didn't care. I was too busy enjoying sitting next to him in the back seat of the car. We each sat next to a door, seatbelts firmly in place, he assured, but I rested my hand on the seat between us and Noah placed his hand over mine, tracing small circles in my palm the whole way. His touch was light and it tickled my skin.

After maybe ten minutes, we pull onto a busy street of shops and restaurants and stop in front of a small brick building: a flower shop. Noah gets out of the car first and promptly runs around the trunk to open my door for me. I step out of the Uber and took a look around, trying to spot the restaurant Noah was intending to take me to.

His smile is toothy and bright as I emerge and Noah gives me an encouraging, "Ready?" He takes my hand and gently pulls me towards the side of the brick building.

"Where are we going?" I ask. Were we eating out of the dumpsters?

"I know a place that makes the most amazing sandwiches but it's quite literally a hole in the wall." Noah chuckles then assures me, "I'm allowed to say that though... I know the owners."

He stops me in front of a set of suspicious looking stairs going into the basement of the brick building. Noah holds his arm out, motioning for me to go first.

Hesitantly, and honestly a bit worried, I walk down the narrow steps, careful not to touch the rusting rail that bordered the concrete steps. A dirty, red door awaited me at the bottom of the steps and I reluctantly turn the brass knob, assuring myself that Noah probably wasn't going to murder me on the other side. A rusty bell hanging above the door chimes as I step over the threshold.

I enter a small room with obnoxious yellow walls. There are a few small tables and chairs scattered about and a massive deli counter takes up the entirety of the back wall. Noah follows me inside the basement. No one else is in the room.

Concerned, I turn to face Noah but he just smiles and wraps his hands around his mouth like a make-shift megaphone calling out, "Hey, Bruce!"

I hear a grumble coming from a door behind the deli counter and a portly man waddles out. Completely bald except for a grey, bushy mustache, his beady eyes light up when he sees us.

"NOAH, my boy!" he calls, "It's been too long! What can I get yah? Your usual?" Noah walks over to greet the round man and with his hand still firmly gripping mine, I have no choice but to follow.

"Make that a double today, Bruce. I've brought a guest with me. This is Emma." Noah pulls me to his side as if to show me off and I smile awkwardly. Bruce lifts a large eyebrow to get a better look at me and huffs.

"Well, alright then," he grumbles and waves us off. "Go find a seat."

I turn and pick from the four small tables, choosing the one closest to the door and hear the loud clatters and clangs from Bruce shuffling around from behind the counter.

I take a deep breath and try not to look too anxious. "Uhm... where are we?" I ask, half laughing as we take our seats at the small table.

"I like to run," Noah answers, "I discovered this place one day and fell in love with Bruce's meat." He laughs at his own joke, his smile so infectious that even the corners of my lips curl up. "I ended up becoming a regular for a few months but I haven't been back in a while." He takes a deep breath, looking around the restaurant. "It's a hidden gem, I promise."