I rushed home as fast as my long legs could get me making mental notes along the way that I'd better call the landlady maybe I'll even finally be able to use that huge fuck you I'd been building up for her. I didn't have much to pack clothes, a few books James said I wouldn't need any bedding which was good because mine was second hand from a thrift store and probably infectious I couldn't possibly forget my camera oh and bluebell of course . Damn I had more than I thought
I made the decision to stop by The Coffee Tree on my way back to pick up a few boxes to put my things in and to make sure Jase hadn't burned the place down while I was gone just as I reached to open the door it flew at me almost flooring me for the second time today I was livid "HEY WHAT THE FUCK MAN!" I roared having lost my good mood the smile on the large guys face only grew "Heyyy pretty lady, how are ya?" Of course it had to be that flirty guy.
"I was almost knocked to the ground that's how I am!" I got to my feet dusting down my dress .
"oh honey don't fall at my feet" he laughed until he seen I was genuinely angry "whoa hey I'm sorry I honestly didn't mean to" all I could do was huff at him but his brown puppy eyes where so difficult to be angry at damn did he look good though it's not like he was well dressed but the way his hat tamed his scruffy hair and his stubble outlined his jaw phew. "Its fine, Brian isn't it?"
His face lit up when he seen I had remembered his name "that's me, whatcha up to anyway?"
"Just getting some boxes, I'm in kind of a rush so I'd better go"
"Boxes why? Are you going home, leaving us already?" I rolled my eyes at this guy seriously he had known me about 10 minutes "No Brian this is my home now I'm just moving to a different apartment but like I said in a rush gotta go" I ran into the shop before he could even attempt to continue the shameless amount of flirting he was doing. Thank fully Jason was coping well and even offered to cover half of my shift the next day so I could get settled I kissed him on the cheek as I grabbed the boxes telling him he was a "wee dote" which he would of found out later had he googled it was a " little darling"
I arrived later that night at the new apartment letting myself in with the key James had given me couldn't of felt better my room was immaculate the bed had been made for me and James had left a beautiful bunch of blue tulips by my bed I felt like I was in a hotel room it seemed like some sort of dream. I unpacked what little items I did have as I wracked my mind trying to think what I would use all this new gotten space.
James arrived shortly after 6 with some take out as we got cosy on opposite sofas and got to know each other a little better from what I gathered he was 38 born and bred in Staten island he was a Taurus and his friends called him Murr. "So what's your story?" he asked me as he threw a can of coke toward me , catching it in one hand I just shrugged at him "Nothing much to tell raised in Ireland on the coast, studied my diploma in Liverpool, England then got my ticket here as soon as I got the chance"
"There must be more to it than that" he quizzed I pulled my knees up to my chest and pulled the long sleeves of my hoodie down over my hands I felt safe this way "sorry Murr that's all there is to tell" things became quiet after that not quite knowing what to say to each other I decided to clean up the mess from the take out we had while Murr went off for a shower I gazed out the window at the beautiful sunset through the neighbouring buildings and my thoughts drifted to home and how the warm sun looked as it set behind the peak of Muckish mountain. I was brought back to earth from my thoughts as I heard Murr exit the shower he emerged shortly after from his room
I wiped my eyes quickly but I think he still saw me if he did he never said anything only asking did I want to watch a film before bed. We settled for a comedy and squealed with laughter the whole way through he had a great laugh so warm and contagious as I slid under my fresh warm sheets that night I felt safe for the first time since I arrived in the city.
I woke early the next morning creeping out to the kitchen area I could hear Murr still snoring in his room I watched the sun rise over the city before I slipped on my shoes and cycled to work I made some mental notes on the way there to pick up some fresh food to make dinner for James to thank him for giving me the chance at a better life.
The morning passed slow since it was such a warm day nobody bought coffee I had a few orders for smoothies but mostly just sat at the register stacking cups until they fell down after that wore out I began to plait my hair into a satisfying style I pouted in my pocket mirror "you are adorable" I uttered to myself
"yes you are!" came a familiar voice from the doorway I threw down the mirror and tried to calm my face that was burning red. The deep brown eyes of my new admirer gazed down at me under the brim of a baseball cap with a cheeky smile "Brian! Hi ha-ha... quiet day you know" he laughed at me until an uncomfortable silence came over I was too busy gazing at those chocolate eyes I hadn't realised he had company the figure behind him gave an awkward cough snapping me from my gaze it took me a little minute but I recognized him as the adorable awkward guy who came in for a smoothie a few days back. These guys where friends? Small world huh.
Remembering these guys where here for a drink and not just to pay a pleasant visit I decided It be best getting back to work "so guys what can I get yous?" of course Brian had to speak first with his booming voice "well my pretty little lady I will take one of your finest iced mochas and for Salvatore here..." Brian motioned to his awkward friend
"Um.. Just a mango Smoothie please." he spoke with a smile but never made eye contact Brian left to "relive himself" in the bathroom while I made up the drinks and took them down to the table where the newly named Salvatore sat.
"So...uh Salvatore that's an interesting name"
He glanced up and looked around as if I couldn't possibly be talking to him "uh yeah my friends just call me Sal though skip the formality of it" he had a thick accent not as deep as Brains but still nice to listen too "I got ya," I replied with a wink "Well Sal, enjoy your smoothie."
It was nearing 2 o'clock and Jase would be coming in soon to take over I thought I had better go and get out of my apron. When I returned to the front Brian had left the bathroom and was in his seat I couldn't help but notice how much more relaxed Sal was when chatting to him I had only met this guy twice but for some reason I couldn't begin to explain I felt a connection with him he seemed so awkward and kind of lonely. I kept making seriously awkward eye contact with Brian was he staring at me? I gave him a playful wave and he winked at me what a charmer but he did keep me smiling I had no doubt I would run into him unexpectedly again.
Jason finally arrived explaining his Mom had lost her glasses by sitting on them yet again I didn't give him too much of a hard time for it the guy was doing me a favour I said goodbye to Brian in an oh so dramatic farewell where he insisted on kissing my hand while slipping me his number written on a napkin can you believe this guy? I assured him I would think about. Sal gave me a smile and a wave and I left for home.
My stomach butterflies fluttered as I cycled home with the groceries thinking of a possible date with Brian I mean sure he came off a little forward but have you seen that smile and those eyes he probably knew it himself but he was very charming. I decided I'd wait a few days then give him a call.
Murr wasn't yet home from wherever he had been when I got back I decided to go ahead and start dinner there wasn't a lot on offer at the corner store so I decided to throw a few things together and make a stir fry if there was one thing I could thank my travel diploma on it was my knowledge of dishes around the world. I managed to find the Wi-Fi password and log on to my laptop it had been so long since I'd listened to Disney songs it was kind of my guilty pleasure I had even auditioned for the official cruse but was turned down because I couldn't get a "believable American accent" I skipped around the kitchen throwing things into the wok on the stove as I sang along with Ariel in her underwater cavern I didn't hear Murr turning the key in the door as I nailed the high note my confidence was ultimately broken when I heard a familiar voice behind me make his presence known with a shocked "HEY! It's Irish" oh gosh I thought to myself now what was his name Jacob? John? Better go with a secure "heyyy...you?"
Murr was equally as stunned as I was "you two know each other?"
"Yeah!" Jerry? Confirmed "me and Irish go way back don't we?" All I could do was laugh and shake my head "No we don't, we met at work like once" I explained "but how do you know each other?"
Murr stepped up for this one "well me and Joey here" JOE that was it! "We've been friends since high school"
"Friends, roommates, lovers" Joe butted in Murr gave him a displeased look as he continued "yeah we were roommates up until recently but definitely not lovers! And Joes on the show too"
"Oh wow" I said "well it's nice to meet you properly Joe" I offered my hand to him to shake but was instead pulled into a restricted bear hug "come here you!" he bellowed "this is how we hug in the Gatto family" I was beginning to like this guy Joe said or rather told me he would stay for dinner I didn't mind I had made plenty for lunches this week anyway I was so used to having to live off the same few ingredients between pay checks.
I plated up the food while Murr poured us a glass of wine each and an ice tea for Joe. I took my first sip and it was a very nice glass indeed. "So" Joe began "How well can you drink Irish?"
"Well enough and its Maggie!" I retorted Joe ignored this and began naming as many stereotypical Irish drinks as he could he sure was persistent "Maggie's not one for explaining herself much Joe leave her be" Murr averted the conversation to something about work writers meetings etc. "who does write the show" I asked
"Mostly we do" Murr explained "we'll meet up andshoot ideas at each other and the best get written down" this sentence sent mymind reeling back to my first meeting with Joe and that goddamn flirt thatcouldn't of been what they were doing could it and if so does this mean Brianwas on the show? My fears where confirmed in the next few minutes by a ring onthe doorbell