It's a Date

Charlie picked up on the first ring, which is something he rarely did. If he even picked up at all. Ever since Fiona had called him to help her move that raggedy chair from The Nook to her studio, he was hoping she'd call again. He knew she wasn't big on calling anyone for any reason, or even answering her phone. Any call from her was rare and not to be ignored.

"Hey Charlie?"

"What's up Fiona?", He tried his hardest to sound as nonchalant as possible, although he knew his voice betrayed him.

"Right...so you remember that chair you helped me move a few weeks ago?"

"Oh ya. That ghost of an old thing? Do you need me to help you haul it to the dump now?"

"Ha. Very funny. No. I was actually hoping you might be available to help me move it back to the cafe. I came into a bit of money by surprise, and I decided to put it all towards buying The Nook. After my first day as owner, I realized the chair belonged here. I shouldn't have taken it back to my studio. Since the cafe is now my home away from home, I want to return the the chair to The Nook. The place feels empty without it."

"Congrats Fiona! That's awesome. You happen to be in luck. I'm free in a couple hours. I can help you later today, if that's cool?"

"Awesome Charlie, thanks. Can you meet me at my studio around eight tonight? Beers are on the house for being such a help."

All of a sudden Charlie's heart rate skyrocketed and his palms got sweaty. This wasn't like him. He rarely got nervous around women. He tended bar at a pub called Hole In The wall a few blocks down from The Nook. He knew he wasn't hard on the eyes, but he didn't see himself as God's gift. In Charlie's mind, he was just a regular guy. Charles was used to tipsy women hitting on him shamelessly, but they never got a reaction out of him.

It didn't bother him. The ladies he met just never caught his interest. Charlie chalked up these flirtations to being part of the job and living in Southern California. Charlie never payed much attention to these Barbie Doll wannabes. They were too plastic, like they had just come off an assembly line. Nothing about these women ever stood out to him, except maybe their fake breasts.

Fiona was different. She had a spark that he'd never seen in anyone else. Los Angeles was full of fake, superficial people concerned with all things irrelevant to life as Charles saw it. Fiona was unapologetic about her quirks, and embraced life as it was meant to be lived. She didn't seem to care what anyone thought of her, and she had a way of making her eccentricities seem natural and seamless. She was the one person he wanted to get to know better in this city, but he knew she wasn't really into expanding her social circle.... if she even had one.

"Uh...ya. Totally. Eight O'clock? I'll be there. Beers on the house all night?" Charlie snickered.

"I'll make it worth your while, but don't push it. See you at eight at my place." Fiona hung up the phone. Her face was a bit flushed. She felt an unfamiliar fluttering in her stomach. Charlie was her only real friend. She had plenty of friendly acquaintances, but she kept most people at an emotionally safe distance.

Fiona took a moment to wonder if Charles knew that she considered him her only friend. Was that weird? Did it make him feel obligated? Charlie didn't seem to have many friends either, and that's why she found him so interesting. He was certainly attractive enough to have any girl he wanted, but he never had serious relationships.

Fiona didn't have time to entertain her thoughts of Charlie's love life, as Cherie was calling for her help downstairs. It was another drizzly, spring afternoon. They were getting busy. A constant line had been forming out the door, nearly halfway up the block. On days like this, LA couldn't get enough of their coffee and freshly baked goodies.

The hours flew by, and before she knew it, Fiona had to get out of there to meet Charlie on time. Business had slowed enough that she could take a break. Fiona hated being late to anything. She was nervous for some reason. That feeling in the pit of her stomach never really went away after speaking with Charlie earlier.

They'd known each other since they had both moved to Los Angeles thirteen years ago. Charlie arrived in Los Angeles a few months before Fiona from Sun Valley. Fiona moved into the neighborhood a shortly after to pursue her art, from a little coastal town a few hours up north. They had small town living in common.

Neither of them particularly liked life in the big city. Charles thought he'd figure his life out once he managed to get himself out of Sun Valley, but he wasn't having much luck. Fiona thought she needed to live in a big city if she ever had a hope of getting her art into the public eye, but it just wasn't happening for her. Another aspect of life they had in common.

They were thankful to have each other to confide in, and Fiona assumed he considered her as nothing other than a friend. They were just two people from small towns who found each other in a big city. They understood each other on a level that the locals couldn't. Fiona was convinced that's all it was. She felt silly for even wondering if someone like Charlie could honestly be interested in her as more than a friend.

Charles sat in silence after he tapped the red button on his phone to end the call. He took a deep breath to center himself. This was the second time in a few weeks that Fiona had called him. She despised talking on the phone. He knew she hated talking to people when she couldn't see their face.

Charles payed attention to the details when Fiona would speak or disclose information about herself. It was as much of a rarity for him to be interested in what any girl had to say as it was for Fiona to let her guard down. It was one quality he liked so much about her. Fiona's simplicity was also what made her enigmatic. She was kind yet mysterious. He wondered why guys weren't falling all over themselves to get a date with her.

This was the second time in a month Fiona had invited him over. Was this a date? Or was he just the only person she knew with a truck? In the end it didn't really matter. Charles was happy to be invited, no matter what this meet-up situation was.

He knew it was rude to show up to an invite empty handed, and Charles didn't want to screw up if this was a date. Charlie thought back to a few weeks ago when he met her at The Nook to help move that decrepit chair the fist time. He recalled her drinking a glass of red wine. It was a Merlot, he thought.

Any woman appreciates an unexpected bottle of wine, no matter the occasion. A bottle of Merlot it would be then. He headed to the pub to grab a bottle before meeting her. He hoped she liked whatever crap wine they sold. It wasn't the fanciest place.

Fiona checked the vintage clock hanging rather askew behind her again. Shit! Half passed seven! She chucked her apron in the bin, and headed out the back.

"Be right back, Cherie"

"No problem. Try to have some fun while you're out"

"Not funny, Cher", Fiona said as she ran out into the damp alley.

Fiona and Charlie nearly collided into one another in the hallway outside her apartment. Both sheepishly giggled as they exchanged apologies and looked down at their soaking, wet feet.

"After you Miss Fiona." Charlie mustered.

"Oh thanks. What's that you've brought with you?" Fiona asked as she peeked her eyebrows trying to get a better look

"Oh this?" Thrusting the bottle towards her and nearly letting it escape his grasp. "A bottle of Merlot for the lady of the house.", He bowed his head a little to overcompensate for nearly dropping the bottle on the cement floor as he held it out to her.

"How sweet Charlie! I love a nice Merlot, and I could definitely use a drink. We were slammed all day. I didn't even get a break to pee.", She blushed. TMI, she silently scolded herself. "Come in. Let's have a glass."

"Well, I'm not sure how nice this Merlot is going to be, but it was all I could get my hands on. Let me open it up so it can breathe a little." He did his best impression of a fancy waiter in an elegant restaurant.

Fiona got two glasses from her cupboard and plunked them down on the counter. They weren't fancy at all. Just regular tumbler glasses. ""Fill em' up Mr. bartender. Don't skimp on the pour.", She said with a tired, but sincere smile.

"As you wish my lady. Two full glasses coming right up" He had to concentrate so the trembling in his hand din't give his nervousness away.

As soon as they had a few sips in silence, they fell into an awkward but pleasant conversation. A few more sips and the conversation became much easier and more natural for them both. Before they knew it, Charlie had poured them each another glass. The time was flying by unnoticed.

When Fiona fist thought to check on the time, she saw that they'd been chatting for well over two hours. So much for returning to the cafe. Business hours were officially over, and she couldn't ask Charlie to drive after decimating a full bottle of wine with her. She actually found that she was enjoying herself and Charlie's company too.

Charles picked up the cue when he saw Fiona look at the time. "I guess its a little late to be moving crappy furniture. I hope I didn't ruin your night, in case you had other plans."

"Right Charlie. I'm the girls with all of the plans" She said with an air of sarcasm. "No. I've actually enjoyed chatting with you. I hope I haven't ruined any plans you might have had."

"Nope, this was the only plan that I made. I was actually hoping you'd let me stay a little longer than last time." His face was bright red now. He could feel the heat pulsating in his cheeks.

Neither of them knew what say after that. After a long pause, Charles decided to go for it. He leaned in close. If he didn't do it now, he wasn't sure if he'd ever have another chance. "Fiona, can I kiss you?"

As the word yes clumsily tumbled out of her mouth, Charlie's lips were already touching hers. Softly at first, until he moved in a bit closer to give her a proper kiss. When he pulled away, he couldn't help but stare at her beautiful, makeup and Botox-free face. He was in love.

Fiona stared back at him, trembling where she sat. Was this a date? Was Charlie actually interested in her? Everything happened so fast, and she was definitely not expecting this outcome. "Wow." Was all she could manage. Maybe it was just the wine.

"Ya. Wow" He parroted back.

Knowing that there was no way the chair was going anywhere that night, they looked into each other's eyes. "You can stay for a while longer if you like," Fiona offered.

"I never thought you'd ask,", and he kissed her again.