Still, I’m relieved when we pull up to the restaurant.
***
The restaurant has an old-fashioned feel to it, with high tables, and TVs hanging throughout with various sports games playing.
Beers on tap line the entire length of one wall. It's the kind of place where you order at the counter, and then they bring the food to you.
“This is my favorite place to get pizza,” he says, giving me a shy smile. “They have these amazing calzones that you have to try sometime.”
We order our food and find a table to sit at. As we wait for the pizza and our beers, the silence turns awkward. I’m not sure if it’s because of the atmosphere or the company. But I can’t stop myself from averting my gaze from Chris. I’m looking at anything but him.
“So,” he says awkwardly, “do you still talk to Sophie?” Finally, my gaze meets him, and he looks as uncomfortable as I feel.
“Yeah. We aren’t as close as we used to be, but I see her every once in a while, when we’re both in town, and we talk maybe once a month or so. It’s been hard to keep up our friendship since her parents moved away after she graduated.”
“Hmmm,” is his only reply.
“Do you?”
“Do I what?”
“Do you still talk to Sophie?” God, I just want our food to come so we can eat and not have to fill the silence with weird chatter.
“No.”
And we’re back to awkward silence.
Our beers show up first, and I’m all too grateful for the momentary reprieve.
Suddenly, Chris starts laughing; I just gawk at him.What is even happening right now?
“I’m sorry, Kat. I don’t know why this is so uncomfortable. But I see the look on your face, and I know you're feeling the same way. I don’t even know why I asked you out. I guess I was just feeling a bit nostalgic or something.”
I sigh in relief at his confession.
“Let’s just eat the pizza when it comes, and then I’ll take you home, ok? No pressure. Just a couple of old friends catching up.”
“I’m sorry, Chris.”
“No, you have nothing to be sorry about.”
We spend the rest of dinner chatting about our respective jobs, our hobbies, and what we’ve been up to since graduating from high school. The conversation doesn’t come easily, exactly, but it’s better than where it started.
When we finish eating, Chris drives me home. He doesn’t walk me to the door but stays by the curb until I’m safely in the building.
I’m relieved it’s over and hurry up to my condo where I change into some comfy clothes, slip on Ethan's Letterman's jacket, make popcorn, and turn onMulan. I always watch Disney movies when I need some comfort.
I watch the first fifteen minutes and realize I can’t stop thinking about Sam and how uncomfortable our call ended. I can’t handle the weirdness any longer, so I send him a quick message.
I hope you're having a great time with your friends tonight.
His message is almost instantaneous.
Back from your date already?
Or are you messaging me while he's droning on about how much hair gel he uses?
Hair gel?I breathe out a laugh beforesending my response.
