Happy Birthday Lizzie

Part 5

'We' -- ended up being all of the people I didn't want to be around at the moment which included my former girlfriend, two of my best friends, and some random person I was not exactly comfortable with. I drove myself to the restaurant because I did not want to deal with anyone else. I got there and parked just before Lizzie arrived and opted to wait outside for her.

The drive was easy and I saw him leaning up against his car as I pulled in. I parked and made my way to him. "Is it just us? Everything okay?"

"Um. Sure it's fine. No, it's not just us. Marissa and Noah, Leen, and I can't remember the other girl's name at all. Do you know what you want to eat?"

"Okay. Probably a cheeseburger with guacamole and salsa. Ooh, and sweet potato fries. You?" I let him lead me into the restaurant knowing that he wouldn't take my hand.

"That sounds nice. We can share an order of fries. They are huge. What do you want to drink?" We still hadn't made it to the table that everyone was sitting around. I smiled at her. I was genuinely happy to see her. "You know," I whispered in her ear. "Your face is the only one I want to see." I touched the back of her hand. "I missed you."

I smiled and blushed. "I missed you too." I shivered at his touch. "Iced tea with lemon." I would have been happier if it was just the two of us. I waved at Noah and Marisa as we approached the table.

I was instantly annoyed at the seating arrangement. The table was big enough for all of us but the open spaces were on opposite ends of the table. I looked at both Noah and Marissa and felt like I wanted to kill them mainly because in that instant I did. I almost took Lizzie's hand and walked away. They moved down to accommodate us sitting together. The only problem that presented was that I'd either have to sit between Lizzie and Leen or let Lizzie sit next to her. That was a very bad idea and so was me sitting anywhere near my ex. I pulled out the chair and offered Lizzie the seat next to Noah. I growled a very low growl.

I rolled my eyes at the seating arrangement but took the offered seat. I thanked Avi for pulling out the chair. I made polite conversation with Noah while looking over the menu. I had pretty much decided what I wanted and no doubt Avi would order for me. I carefully set my hand on his thigh under the table to try and calm his growl.

I jumped at the hand on my thigh but relaxed the moment I realized it was on the correct side of me and put my hand over Lizzie's for warmth and comfort. I looked at her and offered a weak smile. "Still want the same thing?"

I nodded and smiled. "Yep." Just being next to him relaxed me, which I didn't often feel when I was around his ex. I took a deep breath and divided my attention between Avi and Noah and Marisa.

I wasn't in the mood for conversation. I gave my ex a dirty look when she tried to talk to me and scooted closer to Lizzie. I placed our orders when the time came. I ordered a drink and asked them to go light on it. I tried to follow whatever it was Lizzie was talking to Noah and Marisa about. I just got lost on my way to wherever they were and ended up smiling here and there and nodding while making noncommittal comments every so often. When our food was served I dug right in. "Good choice," I mumbled around a bite of fry.

Talking to the other couple was easy. It had been a little while since I had seen them and the conversation was light. Avi wasn't really invested, but that was okay. I could unwind him later. I smiled at him. "I do love their sweet potato fries. I cut my burger in half and dug in. It was all very good.

I drank my drink relatively slowly even though I wanted to down it. Ate all of my burger and most of the fries. "You want dessert?"

"I am quite full actually." I leaned closer to him and suggested that we could have dessert later. It seemed like everyone else was ready to get going anyway.

"Maybe," I whispered "I'm still hungry. I looked at Lizzie. I think they have cheesecake. I want some with strawberries and chocolate."

"That was always your favorite," Leen commented. I ignored her some more and smiled at Lizzie. "Yeah. I want that." I waved the server over and ordered my dessert.

I just wanted him to be happy and if cheesecake made him happy, I was all for it. I got a refill on my iced tea and sat patiently.

Everyone else left after they paid their checks. I told them I'd see them in a bit as I waited for my cheesecake. When it arrived I asked for another fork just in case I needed to share. Then I took the first bite. It was like heaven. "This is perfection on a plate."

I smiled at him. I was happy that it was finally just the two of us. I asked him again if everything was okay and assured him that I would be ready for whatever he wanted when he got to my place.

"I imagine tonight, sleep would be best. Yes, it will all be fine. Sure you don't want some?"

"Whatever you need." I took the bite he offered. It was very good. I thanked him and watched him enjoy his dessert.

"I am going to be out very late tonight. I need to go to the park for a bit. I think we need to think about this whole lock and key situation we have going on here."