My Sweet

JAMES

Where are they? They’re not late, but I can't wait to see her again.

"I haven't seen you like this, ever. Not even with Jessica." Katie says.

"Just be careful James. What happens when she goes back?"

"Katie, I'll cross that bridge when I have to. For now I just want to get to know her. I don't even know if she likes me that much."

I can't stop fidgeting.

"You said she has curly brown hair?" Katie asks. She points to the door.

Liv. .

She takes my breath away. She's dressed in jeans and a T-shirt and sneakers. It's f*****g sexy.

Katie is already out of the booth to greet them..

I'm in total awe, I don't see or hear anything.

Come on James, calm down. You going to scare her off..

Breath, breath, breath.

"Hi ladies. You look beautiful. What can I get you?" I'm rambling..

"James, you already got them each a beer. Calm down." Katie is enjoying this.

"Oh yes, you did say you drink beer. I can get you something else. Just say the word." Still rambling.

Liv steps forward, she lifts her head and kiss me on the cheek. She looks at me and smile.

" Hey, why so stressed? We here. Now we can enjoy ourselves." She winks at me.

I think my heart stopped for a few seconds.

We all pile in the booth. I can't stop looking at her. Katie and Em are chatting away like old long lost friends.

"What have you two been up to?" I'm trying to relax.

"Eating and drinking. We walked around a bit but mostly eating and drinking." She smiles.

I'll never get used to her stunning smile. When she smiles her whole face lights up even her eyes are smiling..

"Ahh, you two look so sweet together. Liv? You got that butterfly feeling when you see him?"

Katie, the hopeless romantic.

"Oh no, Katie. Liv going to crush your bubble. You shouldn't have.." Em roll her eyes at Liv.

"Why? Don't you believe in love at first sight? That warm tingling feeling you get when you see ‘the one’?"

Katie gets that puppy love expression.

"I do believe in love, of course I do. I was married. I just don't believe in the butterfly in the stomach feeling and Prince Charming and fairy tale endings. It's unrealistic. You are setting yourself up for disappointment." Liv is serious.

"Wow, who pissed you off?" Katie laughs.

"What's that butterfly feeling then?" Katie asks.

"Indigestion." Liv replies with a naughty smile.

"Seriously! No, Liv. Em? What do you say about this?" Katie wants backup.

"I'm a total romantic, but then, I married my first butterfly feeling. Not the best decision I've made. Sorry Katie, as much as it pains me. I think she is on the right path." Em answers her with a sad smile..

"No! This can't be. So, if the perfect guy sweeps me of my feet. I should ignore all the tingling feelings?" She really wants to know.

Katie had a couple of mistakes, because of her naive romantic heart.

"Sweetie there is no such thing as a perfect guy, believe me." Liv looks at Em and they start laughing.

"Oh gosh! William! I forgot about him.. You have to tell her." Em laughs.

"Who's William? " Katie asks Liv.

"William was the perfect guy. Built like a Greek god. Looked like one too. Dark hair, icy blue eyes. A smile that will change every nun's mind about celibacy."

"But he was an ass..." Katie interrupts.

" Oh no, he was a real decent guy. He was the real thing and a gentleman."

Katie looks at her dumbfounded.

"But, he made out more with my big toe than with me.." We all burst out laughing..

I get a twinge of jealousy.

"That's a bummer! Did you try to .." Katie didn't finish when Liv started talking again.

"I tried, but the man just couldn't take a hint. Later I said to him straight up. This toe thing isn't for me.. But it wasn't meant to be."

Katie is wiping her eyes and trying to control herself.

" Oh gosh! OK, so no perfect guy.." She can't stop giggling..

"How did you end it?"

"One morning he wanted to 'surprise' me while I was still sleeping. Guess what's the first thing he started to suck? Yep! My f*****g toe! I got such a fright I kicked him in his face. Broke his nose... I told him I'm done. I can't."

Katie is hysterical now..

We all having a laugh. I like this. We all enjoying ourselves..

Liv starts to stand up "Katie, let's go get tequila shots. I need something stronger."

I watch them go.

"Oh boy, I know that look." I look at Em with a goofy grin.

"What look is that?"

"You are falling for her."

" Yea, I am. I know it's soon. She's wonderful. After what she's been through..." I stop.

Shit I'm busted..

"You Googled her, didn't you?"

"Yes, I'm sorry. But after Jessica I'm careful."

"I get that. Did you watch the video clip?" Em isn't mad.

" No, my PA did and said I shouldn't. Who would film a crime and not help?" I'm still reeling over that.

"It's not of the crime, it was after. The people saw her kneeling next to the road. They stopped and the little s**t took a video of her, looking for the pieces of Chris’ skull. She was trying to put him back together."

"Shit.. Jaysis. How do you get through something like that.. She's so vibrant, happy and calm."

"She was in a catatonic state for weeks.. James, just take this easy. Whatever this is. She may not be willing to give you what you want. They were the great love story. Her heart beat for him. He turned her world, they had this epic love."

The girls are coming back giggling their heads off.. Em and I are trying to look as normal as we can after that intense conversation..