Sorry for the length between updates. I've slacked badly. Shame on me. Sorry it's short, but the next one won't take as long, I promise!
"I'll meet you there in five." Anna smiled, as she walked to her car. She turned the key in the ignition, and gave the car a few minutes to warm up. She couldn't help but laugh to herself... the same man that ruined her night, was taking her out for coffee, and she was in pajama pants. She sat in silence, with her head resting on the steering wheel, as she had a battle with her inner conscience. He could be a murderer, for all you know! What are you thinking?! It's a public place, I'll be fine... You're so naive. You know nothing of this man. I like to live on the edge. Could be the edge of a cliff by the end of the night - Ignoring her thoughts of rationality, Anna put the car in drive, and proceeded to the diner.
As she put the car in park, she could see a silhouette of a burly man, standing by the door, with his right leg propped against the building. She took a deep breath, and walked toward the door, tripping over the curb. "I'm okay, I'm okay..." she said, landing at his feet, and looking up. Her face was flushing with embarrassment, and she could feel the heat on her skin.
"You're just made of clumsy, aren't you?" He laughed, extending his hand to help her back to her feet. "Are you sure you're alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I do this all the time, well... not all the time, but most of the time. I mean, it's not like it's every hour, of every day, but I do it al-" she stopped. "I'm rambling. I need to stop. Hello! I didn't even say hello! I -" she stopped as he cut her off.
"Hello to you, too. It's okay. Shall we go inside?" he said, trying to stifle his laughter. He held the door open as she walked in. They took the last booth in the row. "Are you hungry?"
"A little. I'm not used to being up this late, so my stomach is starting to get mad at me." She laughed. "I might get some breakfast. You?"
"Yeah, same here. They have some really great pancakes here." He smiled, looking back at the menu. Anna did the same. The nervous, sickening feeling in her stomach was suddenly gone. He seemed rather... normal. Rather... nice. Completely not what he came off as at the bar, when Elsa pissed him off. In reality, she couldn't blame him for shooting fire, considering what she said. He seemed like a really decent person. She was kind of glad she left her credit card behind.
"So, tell me about yourself." He said, as the waitress interrupted to take their order. They both handed the menus back. "So, as I was saying..." he continued.
"Well, I'm completely ordinary. I'm a model, so this whole street clothes at the bar thing felt so weird, because I'm not used to wearing anything but dresses and such... and these pajama pants are definitely out of character!" she joked.
"A model? You just don't seem like the type. I mean, you're eating pancakes!" he laughed.
"Some models do eat like a normal person, you know. It pays the bills, that's what matters. I share an apartment with my sister. She's a model too, but she's a lot pickier about everything compared to myself. She's a bit high maintenance, if you know what I mean." She continued.
"And a bit of a lush, from the looks of things." He laughed.
"Yeah, just a little. Like I told you before, she has no filter." She smiled. "So, tell me about you?"
"Well, I work in the mines, as I told you. I'm relatively boring. I live alone, so I pretty much work, come down to the bar, meet up with a few of the guys, then come here for some food. There isn't much to tell about me." he answered.
"I highly doubt that you're boring, as you put it." She sneered back. "This is the most conversation I've had with anyone, aside from those who I was out with tonight, in a very long time. So no, boring is not a good word to describe yourself." She muttered a laugh, as the food came. "And you're right, these pancakes look amazing!"
"And they taste just as amazing, trust me." He replied. "So who were the guys tonight? Is one of them your boyfriend?" He inquired.
"No, one is married to my cousin. The one who was on his way to help me up when I fell. He's great. The other is my sister's friend, at least that what she calls him. More like one of those friends with benefits deals, he's not into the commitment scene. He's just in it for the bonus. It's disgusting." she said, before eating a few more bites.
"So I'm guessing you're not a fan?" He asked.
"Not really. I tolerate him. He acts like she's a piece of property, and he owns her. He manhandles her, and I just don't understand why she stays around with that. I could never put up with being treated that way."
"So he's abusive? No man should ever treat a woman like that. No one should have to put up with being treated that way. I would agree with you on the disgusting. It's vile." he sneered back.
"Yeah, it's in his blood or something. He blames everything on the fact that he had 12 brothers growing up, and he was the youngest. He claims he got kicked around by them, and that apparently made him this way. Not an excuse, if you ask me." She answered.
"There is no excuse. Period. I'm sorry that you have to deal with that in your life." he replied, finishing the first pancake.
"It's alright. She doesn't choose to do anything to end it, so it's her own fault. She almost welcomes it, in a sick sort of way." She said, finishing her first pancake as well. "Like I said, we're two totally different people. I'd never stand for that. What about you? Are you married?"
He left out a chuckle. "Hardly. To be honest, you're the first female I've even been in the presence of, in, well, as long as I can remember. I don't get out much, I like keeping to myself. No drama, I can't ask for more than that." he said sipping his coffee. "But, I'm really glad you came with me tonight. I've enjoyed your company."
"I've enjoyed yours as well." She smiled. She couldn't get over the fact that under the gruff, burly mess of a mine man, he was actually attractive. His blonde locks fell over his big brown eyes, and those eyes had something about them that just made her... stare. She looked down at her plate. "And I've enjoyed these pancakes."
"I told you that you would." he said, peering up from his coffee cup with a smirk. "We should do this again, sometime."
"I'd like that." she responded, with a sheepish grin. "I'd like that a lot." Both parties stared aimlessly at each other for a few minutes. She quickly looked away as she realized that she was staring, again. "So, where were we?" She asked, trying to get a conversation going to kill the awkwardness.
"I have no idea. Your eyes are extremely hypnotic. I lost my train of thought." He smirked.
"Thanks, I think." She gave an embarrassed smile.
"Want to meet here tomorrow night? Maybe not so late?" he asked. Their eyes met again. "If not, it's fine."
"Absolutely. 10:00 tomorrow night? Sounds a lot better than 3 in the morning" She laughed.
"10 sounds great!" he replied, as the waitress set the check on the table.
"That will need to be split, please." Anna called behind her.
"No, it won't. It's on me. That's the least I can do considering what an asshole I was to you. On your birthday, no less. This one is my treat." He smiled.
"I couldn't..." she murmured.
"I insist. Please. I'll be insulted if you don't."
"Well, thank you. I appreciate it." she replied. "It's getting late, I should get going."
"Myself as well, I work at 7 in the morning. Should be a nice, long day. Come on, I'll walk you out." he said as they both got up and went to the cashier. He walked her to her car. "Thank you for your company. I look forward to tomorrow night."
"Yes, maybe I'll find something more appropriate than pajamas." She laughed. "Thank you for everything."
"You're welcome. The pleasure is all mine. Here." He handed her a folded piece of paper. "I'm not one to ask a girl for her number, so I'm giving you mine. If you decide you don't want to drive tomorrow, or you just want to save gas, give me a call. I'll gladly come get you. Or if you decide you just don't want to go, you can call me for that too."
"Thanks! I look forward to it. Good night!" she said, getting into her car and turning the key. Then came the inner voice again. Are you completely insane? Possibly. Sometimes insane pays off...