A New Begining. (Closed for Sweetp4u)

It was just another December. Too many invites to events that had no substance or meaning. It was lonely, and despite the fact there were people all around him, New Years was just another event, another party. Dave didn't even want to be there, but his friend Steve was hosting and he said he'd go. Steve was forever trying to get him out and meet women despite his best efforts to avoid it.

For that matter several of his friends have been trying to get him out and about, but it never quite worked out. His tastes were a bit different than what most women preferred, but not so off as to be completely out of bounds. He’d been looking for a long time for that perfect someone, but fate had not yet blessed him with his match.

It was 11:45, almost time for the mandatory pairing up for a drunken kiss at the strike of twelve. How did he let Steve rope him into this? At 43 he should have let the amateurs have their night and stayed home. He should have been asleep by now and be ready to start the new year with some hope and a clear mind, but no, he was here at Steve’s party. He was the token single guy who was required for any suburban New Years party. The guy you invited because you felt like they had nowhere else to go.

He’d about given up and was making plans to duck out at 12:01 am when a hand reached out and grabbed his elbow.

Monica

Between vacant eyes and pasted smiles of people who just did not recall her, she wanted to slink out so damn badly it wasn't funny. If it weren't for Rebecca and Steven's invitation, and persistant ambushing that kept her there to near midnight, she would've and could've been home in comfortable Pj's watching some silly old rerun in the privacy of her barely unpacked home!

She was weary of explaining who she was to all she met tonight, but she couldn't find an opening or excuse that did not sound lame and completely chicken shit to her own ears as means to an escape.

"Monica.." She said, "Moni? Everyone used to call me.." She nodded and gave a vague smile as an old friend from high school finally made the connection. Terra hadn't seemed to age a bit, not even wrinkles at the eyes.. She wanted to ask her how she remained looking so young but was afraid the skepticism in her voice would reveal her real train of thought.. Especially with a wrack that large Terra did not have back in college. What had she expected after ten years of being across the states?

So she smiled as people walked by and hid like a coward in dark corners most of the evening and night. Perhaps her mind was too sharp or she wasn't drunk, but she knew nearly everyone present, and yet could find nothing to speak about with any of them. How did one talk of divorce, at her age, and explain as if obligated to do so when no one really wanted to know, discuss or cared to listen in on. Gossip was a vile thing, being a woman she knew all about that! So feeding any would-be vultures didn't appeal either.

It was nearing midnight when she caught sight of what seemed to be a familiar person.. Yet he was sort of turned away from her and his profile was not giving away much either. Low lighting, merry laughter, all of it followed her around as she slowly slinked about in the back of the rooms, halls and through doorways until she could get a clear view of his face, and when she did, her stomach did a silly little flop over.

A rush of excitement had her grinning and heating up as she nearly shouted his name from across the room! Glad she thought better of that one and bringing undue attention to herself, she fairly giggled with pleasure at seeing Dave! Hell it had been... Well she could not recall when they had seen each other last, his wedding day or hers.. Was so long ago it seemed, and yet it wasn't as far as she felt it aught to be. She glanced around him as he seemed to be alone and only briefly wondered where his wife was.. Not that she cared for his wife, quite the opposite actually. But to see him, here.. What were the odds of that? He remained here while she and Mark had moved else where.

Idly her fingers toyed with her wedding band, though divorced six months back, she .. for some reason, kept it on. Wasn't wishful thinking, but a damned fine bit of armor to be sure.

Still she could not resist, butterflies in her belly and wife be damned, she had to say hello! And so she started to cross the room and then stopped. Wondering, no.. it was more fearing he would not know who she was any more either. She looked the same, felt the same had slimmed a bit from the destructive divorce but who could mistake Moni!?

Well.. Yeeeeeaaaaaaaaaah.. She had thought that 4 hours ago too.

agitated and worried, she managed to finish a drink with eyes pinned on him the entire time. After four silent pep talks and after he had made eyes at the door twice, she pushed her nerves together and made her move. Bumping into and excusing herself in the process, she barely managed a hand on his arm as he was turning away from her.

"Dave?" Almost sounded like a squeak than a firm confident friendly greeting!

Damn damn damn! Chin up woman!

The crowd started to count down, growing louder and louder when she repeated his name, and much louder than she had before.

"Hi there stranger!" She beamed up at him with a wide friendly grin, her hand slipping from his arm before he took offense or his wife reared her head.

He turned at her touch and heard her small voice speak his name, she was looking at her feet, but she quickly looked up to engage his eyes while saying his name a second time louder and more confidently. His eyes widened of their own accord as his mind registered Monica’s presence before him. Of all the people in the world he might have met tonight, she was that last person he expected to see. Last he’d heard she’d moved off to the other side of the country and was living a suburban dream with what’s his name, the accountant, or was he a stock broker. It didn’t matter, he was a putz in his opinion, but once she was married it was no longer his place to tell her that.

“Hey stranger yourself!” He gave her a quick look up and down out of habit and she was just as beautiful and alluring as she had been so many years before. He noticed she was wearing a ring, but he knew her husband’s wasn't near by, he would have definitely known if he was around. Her husband was one of those guys who tended to fill a room just by entering it. “When did you get into town?”

He gave her a warm hug and felt her body fit against his perfectly just as it had so many years ago. “Are you staying long or just in town for the holidays?” The noise of the party escalated as midnight drew near. FIVE… FOUR… THREE… TWO…. HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Several guests had horns and noisemakers to add to the din, but most just kissed the person of the opposite sex that was closest to them. Some even found their own spouse to kiss.

Still close from his hug, Dave looked at Monica with a smile before giving her a quick friendly kiss to welcome in the new year. “Happy New Year. I certainly hope this one’s a far sight better than the last.” He wasn’t sure why that last part slipped out. True, it had been a rough year, but it wasn’t something he would have normally said to an old friend he’d just met again. He was normally an upbeat and jovial guy. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that last part, so tell me, what have you been up to?”

Monica

Oh my! she had a startled wide eyed gape as he continued to speak to her, but she could not hear much past the buzzing in her ears. Heart hammering, she felt the familiar warming tingle shift and spread, awakening long-thought-dead senses. God help her, she could not resist as she lapped him from her lips and gave him a wavering, yet shy smile.

"I.." What had he said!? Good hell! He was going to think her gone completely stupid or plastered.. She could use that though..

WHAT WAS SHE THINKING!?

Oh my god, I am turning into a nut case! She had to peel herself from his arms but not his inner bubble space, not yet..She just couldn't vacate that intimacy just yet.

Such a hussy.. .. A bright blush kissed her cheeks as blue eyes found and held his once again. There was so much in her mind! To ask him. To say to him! reminisce over days gone by.

"It is a bit loud in here.." She made an excuse, her smile apologetic. "Can we sneak off outside for some cooler air?" She stood on tip toe to speak near his ear without having to shout.

Why hadn't she kissed him back? She used to be so vibrant and full of life, now she held herself back. Not from any sort of verbal bashing or abuse but circumstances that dissolved her marriage seemed to have had an impact on that vivacity and confidence just enough to cool her heels around others.. ALL others in fact.

She did not wait and hoped to hell he would join her, as she wove through and out a patio door into a brightly lit christmas theme back yard. "I just moved back home, finally." Turning on heel and hoping it were his foot steps she had heard approaching behind her.. Or she'd be a complete fool to speak before looking.

The slight glow of her cheeks and the way she tasted her lips with her tongue after his kiss immediately caught his attention. He’d felt it too, and though he hadn’t intended the kiss to be anything more than a friendly new years buss, he felt a spark and the tingling beginnings of sensations he’d not experienced in a long time.

As she rose on her toes to speak into his ear, he knew on one level it was because of the noise in the room and that he shouldn’t read too much into it, but her breath, warm and comforting, led him to close his eyes for a moment in thought. Her suggestion to find a cooler and more quiet place to talk made complete sense, but he had to admit that if it were quiet, they would also most likely be alone and that prospect did not bother him either.

With not even a pause for his answer, she eased past him and started making her way through the crowd. He followed close on her heals, and resisted the temptation to reach out and hold her hand as they worked steadily toward the door. The patio was alight with small Christmas lights hanging from the eaves, the bushes and the trees. The area was lit as well as any pub or club and he could easily make out her shoulders as they moved beneath the thin silky covering of her blouse.

He almost missed her words as she stated that she had just moved back. Her body turned to him quickly and there was almost relief in her expression that he didn't quite understand. “Moved back? As in here, back here? Well…” He reached out to hold her arm gently, “that’s great!” His smile came upon him quickly and it took a moment for him to realize he was standing there like a grinning ape holding her arm before he continued. “Were you transferred back? Have you found a place yet? Tell me what you've been up to?”

He pulled two chairs out from a nearby table and set one beside her, offering her a seat before taking his. The cool evening air and the comparative quiet of the patio was a welcome change from the bustle inside. A few minutes sitting side by side and catching up would be a pleasure.

Monica

It was much cooler than she thought and was relieved to feel the brush of winter's breath against her flushed skin. It would help to keep her mind off things and focus more on Dave... well a dressed Dave and a married Dave! A very married Dave! She had to mentally remind herself to behave with some mature decorum, even though she was so tempted to revert to the old goof she were.

"Well.." She turned first left in her chair with a twist of her body and the shifted right, only to point back left. "I think it's that way, four streets and all the way at the end.." She bought an older place but it was further from town than any other vacancies she looked at. She needed some privacy, and less gossiping neighbors to drop by unannounced. It helped her to write and maybe she was hiding.. But when you run about mostly naked all the time, it's good not to have prying eyes.

"I got a job at the paper." A smile flashed, "It is a change from.." The past? Things? What did she say there that did not sound sad. "The local college paid well and well.. I wanted to come home, and there's no schools here that need any kind of lit teacher, not even an English teacher!" She laughed with amusement, "I swear the old bat who taught us is still in that high school teaching the fundamentals of English writing." Her creamy shoulder gave a shrug as she tucked some loose strands of hair behind her ear. Had she known he would be here, she might've done more with her hair than pull it from her face into a clip. She looked near mousy brown tonight, letting her hair just hang down her back.

"So a job to pay for those burgers at Joe's.. A house to take all the money I just got a new job for." A flash of teeth in her smile, "And not much else other than unpacking. Tonight is my first night out 'on the town." She made air quotes with her hands, "and since I drove myself here, I am not drinking anything alcoholic. I think the town sheriff was someone who used to party with us back in high school.. bound to know my name and haul me in for past grievousness." Her smile grew more and more as she sat talking with him, relaxing a bit as the moments ticked by and years melted away.

"And you? What did you end up going into as I am sure you're not a profession speed racer..." She paused with a devilish glint in her eye, "No tracks around here to race on.."

Her description of where she was living brought a small smile to his face, she was only a few blocks away from his new place. How could she have been living so close and he not noticed her around the neighborhood? In his defense, he did remember that he wasn't really there much during the day, nor even in the evening since he’d been doubling down at the office, starting early and working late.

“You’re working at the Chronicle? That’s great! I advertise in there all the time. It’s definitely the best local news in the area, none of the other media covers local stuff half as good.”

He chuckled at her mention of Ms. Crabtree, the High School English teacher. She was in fact still there and he’d heard horror stories from his daughter all the way from middle school about her. She was also right about the local Sheriff, Skip was once a friend back in their misspent youth, but these days he has selective amnesia about his own coming of age and seemed to hold everyone to a standard no sane person would ever want to meet.

“You’d definitely be best to steer clear of Skip, he’s definitely not the person we knew back when. Though I’m still not clear on why you came back.” He leaned forward and placed an arm on her shoulder while capturing her eyes with his, “Is everything OK?”

Monica

Her pulse did this little leap - roll over - stumble that had her lapping her lips and eyes going a bit wider as he came so much closer than she thought he would. Again, she had been a bit ... reserved for so long that his nearness had her not quite panicked but definitely getting ideas about a married man she should not and would not! get into. After all, she had that card dealt to her and she knew how sour it tasted first hand.

"Everything's great." She flashed a wide smile and leaned a bit back lest temptation have her nibbling on that full pair of lips so near her own. A nervous gesture had her reaching up to tuck her hair behind one ear and glancing down at her hands resting once more in her lap. Brows knitting she had a flash of concern cross her face before she chanced a glance back up.

THINK WOMAN! Her mind was shouting at her, surely she could make small talk and ACT normal around the man?! .. Her face flushed red with the twists her mind were delving into. "Wonderful.. Well it's a bit lonely with Brian staying with his father, sometimes a bit too quiet." She glanced then back down to her watch and that wide eyed look was not anything to do with him .. for once!

"Oh hell.. Time flies when you're having fun.." Muttered out with a chuckle on the tail end of her woes. Now she knew how irritated Cinderella had to have been with that chime ticking and fucking up a good night. "I have to get unpacked and settled tomorrow as I start work on Monday." Apology in her tone, eyes.. Jesus! Did he have to smell so damned good? Her eyes then wandered to his left hand, looking to see his worn band.

Though she smiled and said that everything was ‘great,’ he could tell that wasn’t the complete truth. It may have been a long time since he’d last seen her, but they were once very close and he could tell when she was hiding something. The nervous tucking of her hair behind her ear and the way that small furrow appeared between her brows when she was upset or concerned were old tells that he couldn’t help but notice.

At the mention of Brian staying with his father and her loneliness he stole another glance at her hands as they lay in her lap and confirmed again that she was wearing a ring, but that didn’t necessarily mean anything. He himself had only taken his ring off just a few months ago once everything was official and there was no turning back, and he knew that some woman wore a ring on their left hand just to ward off unwanted advances. What prompted him to put his old worn band back on tonight was a mystery, maybe he was putting up defenses himself. Perhaps they both were looking for an easy excuse to ward off unwanted advances, but would Monica be considered an unwanted advance? They used to be very close, but that was a long time ago and things do change. She was still as pretty as ever, but despite his attraction to her he never suspected she’d thought of him in ‘that way’ before, why would now be different.

He didn’t press her as she clumsily made excuses to leave. He could tell she was a bit embarrassed and even a bit uncomfortable, no, it wasn’t discomfort he sensed, it was something else. Regret maybe? Regardless she was ready to call it a night. He glanced at his watch, it was about half past and he could hear the party inside was beginning to wind down. “I should probably be going too. Fresh start to a new year and all.” He stood slowly, his knees protesting mildly at the cold. “Can I walk you to your car? I’m not too far away, so I didn’t drive.”

Monica

A flash of dimpled smile met him as she stood up, but paused as his words sank in. He had said "i" not "we" when speaking of his home.. Yet he had a ring on his finger? Granted, so did she.

"I didn't see your wife, is she working tonight?" She would give anything to take back that question but she did manage to pull it off without sounding completely moronic! God she was sinking fast and floundering badly! What used to flow so smoothly, so effortless seemed to drag her down as her mind worked and churned to find something, anything to talk about. When and how did that happen!? Was beyond frustrating, and while she nervously turned her wedding band on her hand, she released it and found his gaze once more.

"Not sure why I keep this on, habit I guess." A shrug of shoulder and she turned to hunt her keys in her bag verses stare at him further. "I can offer you a ride....?" Keys were found and in hand as she turned back and barely made eye contact. This night didn't go as planned, nor was planned and her reunion was quickly sinking into dullsville. Population - HER! When did things get to be so weird for her?

Why did he have to be so damned good looking still? Hell most were aging badly she ran into, only reason she hadn't was trying to keep a cheating spouse interested in her sexually. Which, made a spark of anger bite in her expression for a brief moment.

Her smile was like old times as she rose, but her question was definitely from today. “No, she’s not here. We split up a while back, but it was official about six months ago, so I’m here alone. I’m guessing you were the token single female to my token single male for the party?” A smile crossed his lips as they slowly made their way inside toward the warmth to find their coats.

He consciously hid his left hand behind him while reaching for his coat on the rack. He noticed her twisting her ring as she looked down and then let go to reach into her purse as she locked her eyes with his. A jingle of keys, an admission that she was no longer married and an offer of a ride on a cold night were not unwelcome sounds by any stretch of the imagination. “Thank you. I’d love a ride.”

Steve and Rebecca greeted them as they made their way toward the door. They both made their farewells and as they started down the walk, Dave decided to take a chance and let his arm find it’s way around her shoulders. The crisp winter air made the gesture a bit less forward, but the warmth he felt with her was genuine. “I can’t believe how cold it’s gotten. Thank you for the ride, it would have been a very cold walk home.”

Monica

A brow quirked up as they escaped the house, "Token single?" She paused and shook her head, "Nah, I don't think so. I was invited last minute.. Like two hours before when I ran into Becca at the grocer.." She paused at her old corolla and grinned, "Guess you owe me for saving you from this token single lady they planned to ambush you with." She teased as she pulled open her door, peeling herself from under his arm with a little reluctance.

"I mean, you could've been remarried by next week if it weren't for me saving you back there..." She laughed aloud and crawled inside, the seat cover helping her bottom not freeze too much when she sat down. "I can say.." She spoke up when he got into the passenger side, "That I did not miss this cold as nearly as much as I thought.." Arizona was beginning to appeal all over again.. Luckily she wasn't frosted up she couldn't see to drive. "It'll ice over tonight.." She noted almost to herself as she studied the night's nearly clear sky above.

It took two tries to get the poor little motor to turn over, though nothing wrong with the old mobile, it did not like this cold. As she sat, letting it warm a bit, she turned enough to capture his gaze once more. "Well ..?" Hands held up and fingers pointing forward.. some what. "Which way is home?"

Her joke about rescuing him made him laugh. “Whew, then I owe you an eternal debt of gratitude! Who knows what mayhem might have transpired if you hadn’t found me.” He walked around the small car to the passenger side and opened the door as she got in. The cold heat creaked a bit as he got in, and he gave a small grimace as the battery struggled to start the motor in the cold.

“You’re right, I don’t think Arizona sees cold like this much. Fortunately, it should warm up a bit in the next few days.” The engine idled roughly and slowly began to smooth out as it got warmer under idle. Her eyes found his and he almost missed her asking which way home was.

“I’m just back down the street, about a mile and a half or so on the left.” He pointed behind them in the same general direction she’d pointed earlier. “It’s the brick colonial with the wreath on the mailbox, you can’t miss it.”

Monica

She drove slowly, but quiet with her thoughts and emotions. Whenever she felt him glance her way, she gave him a smile but did her best to keep her eyes on the road and off her company. She had to think of some way to break this awkwardness but god help her, she had no clue how to do that!

"I think this is the right place." She said as she pulled over in front of a rather dark looking house at the end of the road. Glancing around, she couldn't see too much detail despite the clear night. "You're not far from me, if I have the map in my head right.." She put it into park and turned a bit to see him fully. She wanted to take back the last hour and redo it all again, maybe this would've went some where else..

No. It wouldn't have. She didn't know until the end of the night he was divorced now. "So .... How about lunch tomorrow?" She spouted it off before she lost her nerve. She toyed with her wedding band still as she sat twisted in her seat, but her smile was bright and hopeful. She hoped too she wasn't coming off as needy to ask a man to lunch, but in this day and age, it was the norm.. How else would he know she was interested? She sure as hell wasn't going to crawl into his lap..

Though the idea came and stuck like lightening, hot mental images and all.. Both eyes went wide as she sighed and chuckles, "It's late.." Rushed out to cover her reaction to her own thoughts. Hell! She wasn't in high school any more and this damned car was far too small for what just went through her mind!

It didn’t take long to reach his driveway, but it was long enough for him to catch a few glimpses of her profile in the backlight the passing houses. It was possible she was even prettier than he remembered, and though he had always found her attractive, their friendship never lent itself to anything more than just friends. It wasn’t a lack of interest on his part, it was just that the opportunity never came up and he was silently regretting that when she spoke.

Her voice was a bit shaky and her nervous fiddling with her now defunct rings pulled at his heart just as much as the vision of her profile in the dim light. “Of course I would.” His answer was confident and without reservation. “Do you remember the Shake Shack? It’s still serving second rate burgers and excellent malteds, or if you like we can go somewhere much nicer.” He noted a slight blush in her cheeks and attributed it to nostalgia for their old hangout. “Yes, it’s late. Here’s my number,” He reached into his jacket pocket for his ever present pen and a scrap of paper that turned out to be an old 7-11 receipt. He wrote quickly, using the dash as support and handing her the wrinkled scrap with a shy smile.

“Call me in the morning and we can figure out the details.” He leaned forward to kiss her cheek goodnight but misjudged in the dark and found her lips instead. Her soft moist lips pressed with his and he let a soft moan escape unwittingly before his lips left hers. “Goodnight Monica.”

He knew he should reach for the door handle, but his hand refused to move. “It’s late,” his voice croaked as he forced himself to reach for the door. “Call me tomorrow, I’d love to have lunch.” Reluctantly, he eased out from the small car and waved as he slowly backed up his driveway before she drove away.

“Dumbass” he muttered to himself alone in the cold dark. “The oldest line in the world, ‘Would you like a cup of coffee?’ would have been better than the drivel you just spewed.” He shook his head and opened the door to his lonely house wondering what possessed him to suggest the Shake Shack?

Monica

Her dreams were arduous ones that night, full of flashes of moments that all added up to one very aroused woman waking with only a vague memory of hot activities never lasting long enough to satisfy her. While she lay there, trying to get her bearings and sleepy mind to wake up too, she went over last night's events again.

"God, I am such an idiot.." bemoaned from parched throat, her face flaming with embarrassment. Relationships used to be so damned easy! What the hell happened to her? She was a bumbling moron most of the night and she, though she really longed to, never really got in there with kissing him back. That groan of his had done funny things to her upon hearing it, yet she sat mutely with a cheesey smile as he went inside his dark home.

Often she found herself shaking her at, amazed at her lack of action, conversation and even a hug. He had been a dear friend, they could talk about anything and anyone. Hung out together, at each other's houses often, almost cuddled in other places. But then again, she never looked at Dave with any kind of anything in mind but friendship. He was attractive, always had been but back in the day he had been like a brother to her... well in her mind. But now? Now she felt anything but sisterly towards him.

She waited to call him until she had some coffee and breakfast, her mind working full speed.. or nearly as one can never tell how awake they truly are until some random panic sets in. She eyed the few remaining boxes, kitchen being the last room to unpack and opted to call Dave instead.

"So some guy offered to have lunch with me last night and gave me this number.." She said when he answered, biting back her grin as she waited on his response and "details"

It was a lazy New Year’s morning with no need to rush out of bed. Dave let the warmth of the blankets keep him horizontal a little longer than normal as his mind thought over his meeting with Monica the night before. He still cringed at the way he left things. He should have invited her in. He should have kept his mouth shut about the stupid Shake Shack and scribbling his number on a 7-11 receipt? Real class.

He pulled the spare pillow over his head and let out a groan of despair when the phone rang. The muffled electronic ring barely registering. His hand reached out and he fumbled with the receiver before tossing the pillow aside and answering without even looking at the caller ID.

“Yeah.” His voice was scratchy with sleep as he sat up and swung his legs over the side to get his bearings. A shiver ran down his spine when he heard her teasingly follow up on her offer of lunch. It was hard to tell if the shiver was from her voice or the cooler air of the bedroom, but either way he was suddenly alert and awake.

“Monica! Hey! Good morning!” His voice was filled with genuine joy but his stomach suddenly filled with butterflies. “Well if some guy gave you this number he must be a pretty good guy.” He chuckled. “If you’re feeling up to it, there’s this new place over on the riverfront that’s really nice. It’s much nicer than the Shake Shack. I hear it’s a mix of traditional and Asian that is really good.” He realized that his words were rushing out almost as if he needed to get them in before she changed her mind and hung up. He took a deep breath and deliberately worked to calm down. “That is if you like that kind of food. There are a number of other very nice places nearby too. What do you think?”

Monica

The Shake Shack.. It brought a smile to her lips as her mind wandered, blocking out much of what he was saying as memories flooded her. She went to first base with her first boyfriend in the back corner booth... Was it still the same as when she was that naive virgin?

"And what is wrong with the shack?" She asked in a hard edged tone, pausing and then laughed softly, "You aren't trying to get out of lunch are you Dave?" She didn't pause to let him answer much but went on, "I will see you at the shack then, eleven thirty." There was supposed to be a question in there some where, but she was in a mood.. a good mood for sure, very good mood!

Now she wasn't a rude person but he did fade out for a moment as she took note of just how great she felt. Maybe it was the air? Being home? Being free, perhaps? Brows furrowed a bit, "Sorry, distracted with hunger... " Now what in the world was she going to wear?!

"I think my coffee pot is calling to me, Dave.. I am not english speaking before two cups.." She joked as she made her phone escape, "Bye.." She murmured into the phone as he spoke with her, the tone soft as silk as years were melting off of her. Her smile was bright and wide, her hair was a messy mop of tangles and knots and her PJs were sagging off her bottom AND shoulder as she shuffled her way towards that heavenly brewer of eye opening goodness.

"What am I going to wear?" She asked herself once more, a bit .. funny feeling and nervous under all of it. Excited! Nervous!! .. Distracted as she almost put three scoops into her coffee maker... and yet her smile twitched up to one side as a wicked excited gleam began to shimmer.

His gut clenched at her accusation that he was trying to get out of their ‘date,’ but he didn’t get a chance to deny it before she continued on, deciding they would meet at the Shake shack at 11:30 in no uncertain terms. He could hear the smile in her tone and his gut relaxed, he managed to get a few stuttered ummm’s and well’s in before she claimed she needed coffee. Her soft “Bye” sent shivers down his spine and he managed a simple “Bye, see you there.” before she hung up.

Oh my God, his mind was a whirlwind of emotion and confusion. Did she just demand a date or was she just being playful with his clumsy just woken mind? He decided that the only way to find out was to get up, get human and get to the Shack in roughly that order. He groaned a bit as he got up from the bed, but with coffee in the offing things would soon be set right. A hot shower wouldn’t be amiss either, but his mind kept going back to the way her voice made him tingle.

Barefooted and boxer clad, he shuffled to the coffee pot and started phase one of becoming a human again on the first day of a new beginning, a brand new year.

Monica

Stomach doing cartwheels, she showered and then shaved only to shower once more. Had anyone been watching, they sure would've had a hell of a laugh at her expense. She fluttered between afternoon and cocktail, to mousey and slutty. She tossed those ideas out the window and went for jeans and sweater; which she changed three times.

Muttering to herself all the while, she would look to have gone a little off her rocker. Her bedroom looked like a tornado came through, a pair of panties hanging off a lamp shade at her bedside would go unnoticed until much later in the day.

She put on make-up, then washed it all off and applied just a lip gloss. Her hair went up, down, in a pony-tail and flat once more. Curled, straightened and finally just pulled back from her face with a band. She checked her breath twice, breasts thrice. Mirror for seams and pondered how much larger her ass would get with age? Sad how men age and look better and we get to sag after awhile.

Grumbling her way to the bathroom once more, she brushed her teeth, reapplied her lip gloss and stepped over clothing strewn about the floor as she grabbed her small bag and car keys. It was chilly, glad she hadn't worn that mini skirt but then why bother even shaving her legs if she didnt show them off? Crazy..

"yeah..... I've lost it.." Engine reluctantly growled to life, she was nearly missing her Audi but dismissed it as it had meant remaining with .. Checking her mirrors and road, she slowly backed her way out though her street was at the end, some families had small children still, and as such, she went slow. She was a few minutes ahead of time but fifteen minutes early meant she'd collect her nerves and find a nice seat for them.. away from that corner bench!

Nostalgia crept in as she parked her car to the side of the old building. A building her parents hung out in, her friends, herself.. How many generations in this town hung out here until it felt awkward to be in the local highschool "joint"? She shrugged it off, uncaring really as she wasn't so damned old she couldn't enjoy a milkshake and fries. Hell with it, her ass can get a bit larger.. something about cushion came to mind as she strolled inside.

Once the coffee kicked in, he started to get ready. The butterflies in his stomach were nothing to worry about, or so he kept telling himself. However, with his second mug in hand he made his way to the bath to scrape his face and take a shower. He tried to remember the last time he shaved on a weekend or holiday, but it must have been for a family event or something important. He smiled, does this qualify as ‘important’? Oh yes it does.

Lather dripped into the sink as he took extra care to make sure his short sideburns were even with the top of his ear, and he took the time to give himself a second pass just to make sure he was clean and smooth. Scrutiny in a mirror at this close a range was never a good idea though, and he quickly reached for the scissors to trim nose and ear hairs that threatened the norms of social propriety. A long shower helped to wash away the last remnants of grogginess, and a brisk toweling had him ready for the day.

He scanned his closet quickly and after a quick debate between chinos and jeans, grabbed a clean pair of Wranglers off the shelf before he made for the dresser and fresh boxers. A relatively new polo would work. He’d been told that he looked good in red so red it was. Some sox were tossed on the bed and then the real challenge, sneakers or loafers?

He paused and thought, sneakers or loafers? Sneakers might be too casual for a ‘date,’ but it was the Shake Shack. Loafers though did add a bit of, something, to a casual look. Throw on a blazer too and… loafers it was.

He grabbed his blazer as he made his way out the door. A little brisk for just a blazer, but he didn’t plan on staying out in the cold too long.

He was about 15 minutes early and he noticed her car just ahead of him. They both turned off into the gravel lot and he parked a few cars away. Getting out he propped his arm on the top sill of his open door and watched her sit for a few moments.

Monica

"Afternoon Ma'am." a petite little brunette sauntered over and smiled a fresh face grin.

Ma'am?? Jesus, she look that old?

"Good afternoon." A dimpled smile flashed, "I'd like a coke for now, I am expecting someone any moment." And watched as the girl wrote in rather large letters in a quite girly penmanship as she headed back over to counter and returned with menus in hand.

"Special today is Turkey and salad." The brunette named Amanda rambled on and waltzed right off yet again. A quick glance to the menu had her snarling in distaste.

What have they done to the Shake Shack!? As the long list of calories and fat grams ran side by side new additions to their famous 'old' menu of burgers and fries. There were salads and fat free this and that.. and she had to have gone bug eyed and maybe a bit green at the "turkey burger" among other new odds and ends. Since when did Soy make hamburger?

Gah! Horrid flavors. Shaking her head, she scanned the parts of the menu that were normal in her mind. Glancing about and seeing no one, she pulled her compact from her purse once more and checked her hair and eyes before wiping some of the gloss off her lips. Nail tracing her fuller bottom lip, she glanced up and outside just then to see David leaning against his car.

Shit! Shit! Shit! Damn it! He saw her primping... She gave him both brows up and wide eyed look which slowly changed to a question and crooked smirk. Flushed and feeling a bit odd for it, she chuckled softly at herself and waited, wondering why he was divorced? Wondering if he was asking himself that very same thing about her.

Coming in? She mouthed as he would never hear her anyway. She glanced away long enough to stow her compact in her purse and wipe her fingers on a tissue.

She hadn’t noticed him as he watched while she opened her door and entered the shack. She walked with a bounce in her step that made her hips sway invitingly. He admired her denim clad bottom and noted that her ass had gotten better over the years. He didn’t remember her having such inviting curves when they were kids.

Since she hadn’t noticed him he figured he’d wait before going in and not look like he was stalking her. When she slid into the booth right in front of him and still didn’t notice him he smiled. She beamed at the young waitress and quickly looked through the menu, her wrinkled brow confirmed what he already knew, it wasn’t the shack they remembered.

It wasn’t until she was checking her makeup in a very entertaining fashion that she noticed him. Her silent invitation again brought a smile to his lips and waved acknowledgement before making his way to the front door with a bounce in his own step. One thing was certain, his eyes weren’t playing games with him the night before. Monica was every bit as beautiful in the light of day as she’d been the night before.

David waived off the young waitress as he made his way directly to Monica’s booth. He hung his coat on the hook and slid in easily across from his first date in he didn’t know when. “Happy New Year! You look great today.” He nervously played with the silverware before him, absently straightening his fork and knife.

She looked better up close than she did through the window. Her sweater accentuated her breasts without being too over the top and her ponytail shimmered in the light through the window. He smiled and leaned close before lowering his voice. “Have you seen what they’ve done to the menu? It’s practically criminal, but I think the grease they use for the fries is still the same from when we were regulars, so they’re good, and the burgers are as drippy as always. I’d stick to the basics, and go double thick for the shake.”

He leaned back and let his feet stretch out in front of him, accidentally brushing her leg with his, but rather than jerk it away he left it there. It felt nice to be touching a woman again other than a friendly hug or handshake.

Monica

An accusatory finger pointed at the menu, "What happened to the basics here? I mean was either chocolate, vanilla or strawberry. Now they have about fifteen and all loaded with more sugar than should be legal.." She muttered to herself this last bit, "No wonder kids drive like maniacs these days.." She stopped then, eyes widening and blinking before bursting into a short bubble of laughter, "Oh lord! Help me? I am turning into my mother!" Snickered out with a shake of her head.

"Yes well, your advice was always solid, I will go with whatcha know." Shoving the menu to the side of the table, it was then she glanced up and really looked him over. "Nice shirt.."Lopsided grin grew, "Going for an interview some where?" She teased with a wink. Shifting back into the bench seat, she finally let herself relax a bit. Guess their days of ratted old band shirts were of the past.. As were her short shorts and really high heels. Amused but glad he showed up and not left her hangin' like a fool, "I thought you had plans to get out of here?" She wanted to know why he was still here, of all the people who could've gone place, it was David. So why was he here still? Glad she was to see him, but this 'one-horse town' had little appeal growing up..

So why was she back here? Not that she wanted to dwell on the past and her traveled roads, better to get info out of Dave than torture herself further with the biggest disappointment in her life. "Hope I am not coming off rude?" She asked quickly with a flush in her cheeks, "I just am .. quite.." She sighed then but smiled even brighter, "surprised, happy to see you of course, but man.. I thought you'd be off in some city some where living the fast life on top of some corporate building.. Didn't expect to find you here at home."

As she pointed at the menu her comments about the driving of the local kids made him smile. “I know, you missed the “Kale and Sprouts” phase, fortunately it was very short lived.” She appraised his blazer and shirt, the compliment was tempered with a jab at going on a job interview, but he accepted it in the spirit it was intended. He was a little overdressed for the shack.

“Oh this old thing?” He lifted the lapel of his blazer with his thumb and finger. “It’s a relic from my corporate days. It doesn't get the use it once did.” Which led right into her question about what he was doing back in their home town.

“Oh, I did. Made my mark on the great big world, as we all planed on doing the moment we could get out of here, but I actually came back voluntarily believe it or not. After too many years of working my ass off and flying more miles in a year than I could count, I burned out and decided consulting independently made more sense for my time and my sanity.”

The waitress brought Monica’s Coke and two glasses of water. “Be right back folks, and then I can take your order.”

David smiled, took a sip and continued. “I managed to save my sanity, but not my marriage. Julie had used my time away to pursue… other interests in the city,” he looked away nervously remembering the time he came home early to find her in their bed with her boss, “and she hated it here. She took off shortly after we moved out of the city.

“I still travel a bit, but mostly when and where I want to. I’ve kept my clients in London and Rome close, they’re always worth one or two onsite visits a year.” He winked at her jokingly. “And I ‘ve managed to pick up a few clients nearby so I stay busy.”

He lenaed forward again, resting his elbows on the sacred Formica. “So, now it’s your turn. I’m sure The Chronicle is a great place, but I know you were on your way to much bigger things yourself.”

Amanda the perky waitress returned just then for their order. She all but bounced on her toes as she stood next to them and looked to David. “So what would you like today? The special is Turkey and we’re out of the fish.” Without looking he ordered a bacon cheeseburger and a chocolate shake, extra thick, before she turned to Monica.