DISCLAIMER: I do not own nor am I affiliated with Hayden, his family, his company or Second Cup (which makes a second appearance among my stories -- awesome coffee shop in Toronto!).....
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am young again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am fun again
However far away, I will always love you
However long I stay, I will always love you
Whatever words I say, I will always love you
I will always love you
~~~
Hayden had called me the next day to see how I was doing and to let me know he was flying back to Toronto Thursday night.
"Can I see you when I get back?" he asked.
I thought for a moment before I answered.
"Yeah, it would be good to get together to talk," I replied.
We'd made plans to get together once he got to Thornhill.
~~~
All day Thursday, I was very jittery. It was like I'd been transported back to junior high school where I had a date with the most popular guy in school - It seemed ridiculous � to feel so nervous around someone I had been so comfortable with in the past�..but things were different now.
I guess it was 'fear of the unknown' that had me in such a mood. I didn�t know how this whole thing would play out or what would even happen between us. I just know that I have hurt people to get to this point and that�s not something that sits well with me at all.
My mind frequently wandered back to Todd- how it had appeared so easy for him to walk away from me. Perhaps it was my ego coming out a bit, but I was a little disappointed that he didn�t even try to stay and talk. He just walked away- leaving me to wonder how I could have meant as much to him as he claimed.
I had worked a half day at the restaurant to make up for the fact I'd been pulling 30 hours over the past 48.
I went home to take a short nap before getting ready to meet Hayden but I couldn't fall asleep. I laid in bed, mind racing with thoughts of Hayden and Todd.
I didn't know what I was expecting from Hayden - I didn't think it would be right to just jump back into a relationship with him after a broken engagement that wasn't even a week old.
That's when my eyes flew to the top of my chest of drawers, where Todd's engagement ring sat in its perfect little black velvet box.
I needed to return it to him - it was just a matter of finding the right time...and the right thing to say.
~~~
Hayden's flight was supposed to arrive at Pearson at 6:30pm.
I had offered to pick him up but he'd politely declined, saying that Kaylen had already offered to pick him up since her friend Kim was flying in at the same time.
We had agreed to meet at Second Cup in Richmond Hill at 7:30.
I got there a little early and sat down to read a newspaper to calm my nerves.
I couldn't even comprehend the words on the page, I was so lost in my thoughts.
I was in my daze until a presence formed over me and a voice spoke gently.
"Hey Addie," I looked up to see Hayden wearing his usual charcoal gray coat with a scarf.
I smiled up at him, "Hey, Hayden."
Hayden set his bag down and went up to order a drink.
I sat there, reading the same line on the newspaper for the sixth time until I finally put it down -- no use. My attention was completely diverted now.
Hayden had his back turned, looking up at the menu.
I could see two girls who appeared to be in their late teens, standing nearby, blatantly staring at him.
They would whisper and look back, all the while trying to appear as non-chalant as they could if he even turned his head in their direction.
Hayden was completely oblivious to it.
I laughed to myself - the majority of the time I had known him (save for the last few months before we broke up), Hayden was always completely oblivious to his looks and the attention surrounding him.
A few moments later, he'd gotten his double double coffee and sat down across from me.
If anything, seeing someone staring at him had only served to make him go into a self conscious state in which he thought his fly was unzipped or he had spilled something on himself.
I guess that was what I found so appealing about him. He was very attractive and for a great deal of time, I think he was the only who didn�t realize it.
"Hey again," he said with a glint in his eye and a small smile.
I smiled in return, "Hey --"
Then, suddenly, we were on an awkward first date of sorts.
Hayden sat drinking his coffee and I racked my brain for something to talk about other than deep profound life-altering issues that weren't appropriate to discuss amidst the latte crowd.
"So, how was your flight?" I asked.
Hayden looked a bit relieved that I had started a conversation, "it wasn't bad at all. How was your week here? How's work going?"
I went into a story about the restaurant.
"Ya know, I haven't been back there for almost a year," Hayden lamented.
"You should come by sometime, I'll make sure you get the broccoli alfredo."
"Sounds excellent," Hayden said smiling.
We were quiet for another moment until Hayden spoke up.
"I don't know how you may feel about this -- but I was heading over to my parents' place to visit and wondered if you would want to come along...I know they'd love to see you."
I nodded, "that sounds nice. I haven't seen your family in so long."
Hayden grinned, "great! I'll give them a call and we can decide a time to go over..."
We finished our coffees and Hayden called his mother.
"Hey ma," he said into his cell phone. He was telling her about the trip and the flight.
"Listen, I was going to come over tonight to visit and I wanted to bring someone with me -- I think you'd like to see her," Hayden said, looking up at me and flashing a grin.
"Well, its a surprise -- ," he said.
I shook my head and laughed.
"Alright, I promise, you won't be disappointed- we'll be there soon," Hayden said, still smiling at me.
A moment later, he hung up.
"You ready?" he asked me as he helped me into my coat.
"Yeah," I smiled up at him.
He handed me my scarf and brushed my hand with his for a second.
He had the look in his eye that I had seen so many times.
I broke the eye contact and looked down to grab my purse from under the table.
He grinned and opened the door me and we headed out into the crisp, cool Toronto night.