Coffee and Love

Lightning Strikes

"They found out." I sighed into the phone.

"They found out?" Phil echoed in confusion.

"My friends and Dan. They found out about us." I explained. "So I ran out of my apartment and now I'm sitting in a park."

"Is it Baker Park?" Phil asked.

"Yeah, how did you guess?"

"Well, it's the closest park to your flat. I'll be there in five minutes." He hung up before I could answer.

Sure enough, about five minutes later Phil had joined me on my bench. "Were they angry?" he wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

My head pressed into the soft cotton of his t-shirt. "I don't know if angry is the right word. I think they're upset we kept it a secret. I don't really blame them, I'd be upset too."

"Why did we keep it a secret?" Phil asked, his long fingers smoothly running through my curls.

"Well it started as a joke on them for the note...but really it turned into I felt like I'd have to label us if I told them and I don't know what we are, Phil." I closed my eyes in defeat.

"So explain that, Nikki, and they'll understand." Phil lifted my chin. "Look at me." My eyes snapped open to meet his gentle blue star. "It's going to be okay. You don't have to label us, even if your friends know."

"They're going to ask if we're dating and if we're serious or a fling and-"

"Little intern, our relationship is ours and if it panics you to share it then we won't." Phil kissed the top of my head.

"That just it, Phil, I want to know what we are too, but that's just as terrifying concept in itself." I groaned, hiding my head in his shoulder.

"Why is it so terrifying, Little Intern?" Phil pulled me closer to him.

"Because then it's real, it's a real relationship and that means it could end and it'll hurt." I mumbled.

"I think it's too late to turn back now. This is real." Phil said slowly "Whether you define it or not, our relationship is real."

I burrowed my head further into the green cotton. He smelled of peppermint and sugar and he just held me there in his arms until I was ready to speak.

"We're dating." I whispered almost silently.

"We're dating." Phil agreed, his fingertips rubbing soothing circles against my back.

"We're kind of serious." I added.

"We're kind of serious." Phil echoed.

"You're becoming a parrot." I teased.

"I'm becoming a parrot" Phil squawked and I couldn't help but laugh. "Do you feel better now?" he asked.

"Yeah...thanks." I pecked him on the lips before standing up. "I should go face my friends."

Phil stood up, intertwining our fingers. "I'll come with you."

"Thank you." I breathed, heading back towards my apartment. "I think they'll be calmer if you're there. Strangers make them act more human."

"I'm not really a stranger." Phil chuckled.

"Worth a try. You'll at least be another witness to my potential homicide." I sighed allowed him to lead me back to my apartment.

"How could you not tell us she was dating Phil?" Sam screamed at Lauren as Phil and I walked in.

"She wanted to keep it a secret? Why are you angry at me?" Lauren shouted back, throwing her hands up angrily.

"I'm leaving." I squeaked, trying to escape to the door, but Phil grabbed me and led me towards the voices.