Fashionably Late
5:15
Jane watched as her son paced back and forth, “Where is she? You said 5, right?”
“Nick, calm down. I’m sure she’ll be here just give her some time. May I remind you that you weren’t ready until 5 minutes ago.” She pointed out
Nick opened his mouth but the phone rang and he ran to pick it up, “Hello?”
“Oh, hello, Aj…yeah man listen….uh huh…can I call you back? We’re having company over. No…no…Bone listen to me! I’ll call you back. Ok?? Bye.”
Nick sighed and glanced at his watch
“What did Aj want?” his mother asked from across the room
“I don’t know, something about the party.”
His mother nodded, “Ya know, you could invite Anastasia to the party.” She suggested
“Mom, I’m taking Mandy.”
“Ok, just a suggestion.” She held up her hands defensively she continued, “I’m a mother, Nick, I have to worry about you. I just don’t think Mandy is right for you.”
“Well, you wouldn’t, would you? You don’t know what I’m feeling, I love Mandy, and she loves me.”
His mother gave a look, and went to the door, “I think I heard a car door.”
Nick peered through the window and smiled, a flushed Anastasia ran up the steps, he rushed to greet her but his mother got to her first.
“Annie!” she gave her a hug, “Oh, dear come on in.” she ushered the petite brunette inside and looked at her, “Oh your so beautiful, I remember when you were tiny.”
Anastasia smiled, “I’m so sorry I’m late.”
“You should be,” Nick spoke up with a good natured grin on his face Anastasia turned to face him and returned his smile, “Mom, was so worried, she was pacing back and forth. I had to keep her calm.”
“Funny, I remember it differently.” His mother mused
He shot a look at his mother and then opened his arms for a hug. Pulling he held her figure a bit longer than he originally intended taking in the smell of her clean hair and getting a bit lost in the moment, before realizing what he was doing. But once comprehension of his actions hit him he let go abruptly and stepped back slightly.
She smiled and his mother gestured for them to follow her into the kitchen.
“Mrs. Carter that dinner was wonderful.”
“Yeah mom is the best cook out there.” Aaron declared from across the table
“Thank you all, but my real claim to fame comes after dinner.” She said clearing the table and bringing over some smaller plates, “Homemade pumpkin pie.” She smiled and set her confection out on the table.
“Oh, it’s beautiful and smells delicious.” Anastasia gushed, but then stole a glance at Nick, who was staring in to space at the time. She silently wondered if he was thinking the same thing she was. He suddenly looked up and met her gaze a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth and she knew he was.
Nick’s mother handed Anastasia a piece of pie and sat down, “So Anastasia, how long are you going to be in Florida? Through New Years?”
Nick who had a bit of pie in his mouth at the time coughed and grabbed his drink giving his mother a look that read, ‘MOM!’
“No, actually I’m leaving day after tomorrow.”
“Oh…well why don’t you extend your stay?” Nick’s mother suggested, “You can stay with us…”
“Mom,” Nick intervened, “I’m sure Anastasia has a lot to do.”
“Nonsense, she could spend New Years eve with us.”
“I would love you honestly, but I can’t, I’m going to a small party with a few of my closest friends.” Anastasia apologized
A wave of relief washed over Nick as he finished the last of his pie, another confrontation with Mandy and Annie was the last thing he needed.
“So, dear, are you seeing anyone?”
“MOM!” Nick got up out of his seat embarrassed and took Anastasia’s hand, “Let’s go.”
Anastasia smiled apologetically as she was pulled from her seat through the living room and out to the front porch.
“Sorry about that.” Nick hung his head his cheeks a light pink from embarrassment.
She smiled, “That’s ok, I just love your family.”
“They love you, usually they don’t open up to people like that.” Now becoming conscious that he still gripped her hand he dropped it and shoved it in his pocket subconsciously.
“Well, we have met before.” She reminded him
“Still…” his voice trailed off as he stared at her, she was leaning over the railing looking over the horizon as the last of the sun’s rays cascaded over her body making her look heaven sent. His breath caught in his throat he slowly made his way to her side. He touched her shoulder, slightly, carefully as if he was touching a newborn baby; she turned a bit to face him, there were no words for what he was feeling. Nothing that could capture what was swirling around inside of him, but then again, no words were needed. Gently he lifted her face to his and kissed her softly. The kiss was brief, sweet but yet held a thousand emotions and instantly her regretted it. She backed up a little, her emerald green eyes shining into his, wandering, searching for the meaning of his actions. But his eyes were as clouded as her own thoughts.
“I…” she started having trouble to find the words, “I should go.”
He nodded mutely trying to collect his thoughts.
“I’m just going to say goodbye to your family.”
She left him on the porch questioning his actions, his feelings trying to find the answer for what he was feeling but none came. Moments later she breezed out the, “Thanks so much for dinner, I had a great time.” She walked out to her car trying to make things less awkward between them. He followed and laughed nervously, “About what just happened out here. It was nothing, just a kiss between friends.”
“Of course, nothing.” She smiled and his heart sank
“I felt nothing.”
“Me neither, so I’ll talk to you later then?” she spoke still shaken from what happened before
“Yeah. Sure I’ll call you.”
“Ok, cool” she put out her arms for a hug
They embraced, “Bye, Piggy”
“Bye.”
He gave her a quick kiss on her cheek but they both noticed that his lips lingered on her face a bit longer than expected too.
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