Chapter 3 – Mistakes In The Moment

Monica glanced over her menu, scanning the room for any sign of her expected date. No luck. This wasn't what she was used to. Catching a few people staring, they quickly avoided her purposeful gaze and continued with what they were doing. She dropped the menu onto the table, now having memorised most of the dishes they offered. Eyeing her almost empty wine glass, she contemplated calling the waiter over and asking for another but she didn't want to be drunk by the time he showed up. If he showed up for that matter.

"Monica." Smiling to herself, Monica glanced over her shoulder, but she had to look up to see the man's face. Mumbling 'wow' under her breath she stood up. Even in heels he towered over her.

"Hi Stu, thanks for coming." She kissed his cheek, catching a whiff of his aftershave in the process. Smiling, she sat back down and Stu sat down opposite her.

"My pleasure." Stu smirked, letting his gaze wander over the blonde. "What can I help you with?"

"First I want to apologise for Michelle's behaviour." Stu raised his eyebrows. He had been curious as to why Monica had asked him out, and after much debating he decided to give her the time of day: more for Michelle's sake than anything else.

"Does she know about this?"

"No and it's best if she doesn't find out." Monica smiled and downed the rest of her drink. Her sister must be mad. She couldn't take her eyes off the man opposite her. His size astounded her more than anything.

"Alright."Stu nodded and glanced around the restaurant. A few people were milling about and having dinner, but for 7pm it was seemingly empty.

"She loves you." Monica blurted out then cringed. She was doing this for her sister, and although they were close she suddenly felt like she was stepping on her toes.

Stu laughed, and shook his head. "That's not possible."

"Why?" Now feeling somewhat protective of her sister, Monica felt the urge to kick Stu under the table.

"You're being serious?" Stu stopped laughing, leaning forward to get a better look at Monica.

"Very serious. She has always been in love with you." Stu ran his tongue over his bottom lip and leant back on his chair.

"I don't believe you. Why wouldn't she just tell me?" Monica scoffed. Clearly he knew nothing about women.

"Why did you lose contact with her?" Stu rubbed his jaw, clearly becoming uncomfortable with the questions being fired at him.

"I had a lot going on."

"So did Michelle."

"You know, I didn't come here for this." Stu shuffled out of his chair, shaking his head. He needed to get away from Monica. She was nothing at all like Michelle. A comparison he was now making between every woman he came across since the previous night. She was glued in his mind.

"Wait! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you." Monica shot up, moving around the table to stop Stu from leaving. "I'm just looking out for her. You were such a big part of her life then you just left, you don't know how much that affected her."

"I don't because she won't talk to me, unless you forgot that."

"I have a plan. I'll call her, get her to come to my place and you can talk to her there! She might feel more comfortable there."

"I don't know..."

"You want to get things straightened out between you then prove it." Monica smiled, knowing she had pushed some of Stu's buttons by the way his jaw tensed.

"Okay, I'll give it another go."

"Thank you. She may say she doesn't need you in her life anymore, or that she doesn't miss you, but that isn't true." Stu nodded, suddenly wondering what the hell he had gotten himself into. Yes, he missed Michelle. He would be lying if he said he didn't think about her now and then. But as time went on, the harder it got to get in touch with her again. He just hoped she would forgive and forget.

Monica drove the pair the short distance to her apartment after calling Michelle from the restaurant. After a few minutes of bribing, she eventually gave in. Stu was running over in his mind what the hell he would say to Michelle. So far he hadn't had any luck getting her to talk to him. He knew she had a good enough reason. Yeah he had lost contact with her, but if she missed him that much surely she would give him the time of day.

"Nice place you've got." Stu was trying to be friendly but his mind was on other matters.

"Thanks, do you want a drink?" Monica kicked her shoes off and gestured for Stu to follow her through to the kitchen.

"No." Stu answered a little too quickly. Running a hand through his hair he sighed. He was doing a grand job of screwing things up. "Thank you for doing this."

"She should be here soon." Monica moved to stand next to Stu, his palms were flat on the kitchen counter. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I just never expected this to happen." Monica placed her hand on Stu's bicep, rubbing slightly in a comforting movement. Stu glanced down at her, furrowing his brows at her actions. She glanced up at him and he noticed her eyes were the same shade as Michelle's, yet they didn't shine as bright. Without a second thought, Stu leant down, pushing his lips against Monica's. After a second he pulled back and shook his head, he didn't have a clue what was wrong with him. He groaned and ran his hands across his face. "Sorry, I shouldn't have done that."

Michelle watched the scene unfold, unable to tear her gaze from her sister and old friend. Clearing her throat she watched the pair jump, startled that she had caught them. Monica glanced between Stu and Michelle, clearly struggling for words. "Mich-"

"No, carry on. Don't let me interrupt you." Michelle scoffed. She couldn't believe she had even thought about giving Stu a chance. After all those years she had forgotten what he could be like. But now he was sending her a massive reminder. She would always just be someone else to him, she would never be the girl he kissed or called his girlfriend. But she had come to terms with that a long time ago.

"Wait, Michelle this isn't what it looks like."

"You're kissing my sister you big oaf!"

"I didn't mean to, it just happened!" Stu grabbed hold of Michelle's arm before she could turn to leave. "Monica, can you give us a minute alone."

"You need more than a minute, jackass." Michelle glanced over her shoulder to find her sister had already disappeared. "Look Stu, you don't just get to walk back into my life and turn things upside down. I've worked hard, and I'm happy. What the hell are you doing with my sister anyway?"

"She invited me out to talk about you."

"Right. I know she's your type."

"You have no idea what my type is." Stu was in disbelief. This wasn't the Michelle he remembered. She had grown up. Grown up a lot and now he was paying the price.

"Are you kidding me? I saw all the girls you brought back at college, Stu. I know your type, which happens to be anyone who doesn't look like me."

"People change."

"You don't have to tell me twice." Michelle finally pulled her arm free from Stu's grip. This was the last thing she had expected when her sister had invited her over for a couple of drinks and a catch up. She didn't quite know who to be madder at; Stu or her sister.

Monica stuck her head around the door as she heard the front door slam shut. "That didn't go well then."

"I need you to do me a favour."

"Anything to help."

"There's a house show here next week. I'll get you tickets, you get her to the show." Monica agreed, knowing it would be a hard task after what had just happened, but she would try. Stu and Monica exchanged numbers, all in the hope that Michelle would come around and give Stu the time of day. He knew he had screwed up, kissing her sister wasn't on the agenda, but it just happened without thinking. He had some grovelling to do, and some way he would talk Michelle around. He always could.

A/N – Thank you GONNE, cenachick1981, moxxie23, peeps8705, Jojo Barrett, mrsa87, DeansTrueGirl and xFindTheEnigmaWithinx for the lovely reviews :). Lou x