Roz laughed hysterically, a sound that had long since become exasperating.
"Can you even believe that? Who knew I'd find a guy with a sense of humor who-."
There was an awkward silence as Daphne continued to stare at Niles and her thoughts no longer on Roz's newest man, but of her friend.
"Daphne!"
Startled back into the present, Daphne returned her attention to Roz.
"What?"
"Oh, so you are alive!"
Taken aback by Roz's sarcasm, Daphne's eyes narrowed.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well for starters, you've barely said two words to me since you sat down! Would you mind telling me what's so fascinating about that table over there? I mean, I can understand if there was a hot guy who was undressing you with his eyes, but in case you haven't noticed, the table is empty!"
At the mention of the word "undressing" Daphne shuddered. Leave it to Roz to say something so insensitive. And she had no doubt that the word was intended.
When she glanced back at the table, she noticed that it was occupied. A lump formed in her throat and she rose from her chair.
"Daphne-."
"I-I should leave."
"Daphne, wait!"
She sighed deeply. "What do you want, Roz?"
"Look, I'm not stupid! I know why you're ignoring me! And he's sitting right over there."
Daphne looked over a moment too soon. For at that instant her eyes locked with Niles'. She tried to avoid his glance but he gave her a shy, heartwarming smile, she couldn't help but smile back.
"Fine, I'm leaving!" Roz said angrily. "I'm sure you two have a lot to talk about!"
And then he was walking toward her.
Her heart raced and her head began to spin. As she looked into his beautiful eyes, she wanted nothing more than to kiss him.
In his designer suit and navy tie, he no longer appeared stuffy; the way she'd thought of him from time to time.
Instantly memories of their union came back, shaming her once more and she found herself thinking of him in a way that she had no right to.
Now he was just inches from her, staring deeply into her eyes.
"Hello, Daphne."
Her cheeks colored fiercely at the sound of his voice.
"Hello Dr Cr-Niles."
No other words were spoken as he moved even closer to her and kissed her cheek. The touch of his lips on her skin made her flinch and when her eyes met his she could tell that he was hurt by her reaction.
But he didn't draw back.
Instead he held her close, inhaling the scent of her hair. Being in his arms like this provoked so many memories.
"I missed you." Niles whispered into her hair.
She looked at him in astonishment.
"You missed me? But you just saw me a few hours ago."
"Well that's true, but I mean... I miss holding you like this."
"Niles..."
Her nose caught a whiff of his musky cologne which sent her senses reeling once more. It would be so easy to run her fingers through his silky blonde hair; to feel his soft lips caressing hers and then-
She pulled away from him more abruptly than she intended, the shameful tears rising dangerously to the surface.
"Daphne?"
Her eyes darted away from him, hoping he wouldn't notice the hurt.
But his fingertips touched her chin, gently turning her toward him.
"Daphne is something wrong? Did Roz do something to upset you?"
"No..."
She said the word so soft that it came out in a whisper.
When Niles smiled in return and hugged her again, it was almost more than she could bear.
"I can't bear to think of you hurting, Daphne."
Tears spilled down her cheeks and she leaned her face against his chest. Her eyes closed and she began to allow herself to relax.
No... This was wrong.
Quickly she raised her head and pulled away, afraid to get close to him, but wanting so desperately to be as close to him as humanly possible.
"I-I need to get these beans home to your brother." Daphne said, trying to ignore the hurt in his eyes. "Y-you know how he is when he doesn't have his coffee."
"Let me pay my check and I'll go with you."
"NO!" Daphne yelled, causing stares from nearby patrons. But none of those stares was more concerned than Niles'.
"Daphne-."
Horrified by her outburst, she swallowed hard. And when she was able to speak, her voice trembled.
"I-I'm sorry. I really should go. I'd hate for your brother to fire me."
"Fire you? But he can't-."
"Goodbye Niles."
"Daphne, what about our date tonight?"
She sighed deeply and brushed the tears from her face before turning to face him with a forced smile.
"Right... How could I have forgotten?"
He reached out to caress her cheek but she flinched from his touch and she prayed once more that he hadn't noticed her horrible reaction.
He was so close to her now that she could feel his breath on her cheek; and it was enough to send her emotions spinning out of control.
"I have something very special planned for tonight." He whispered into her ear.
She returned his smile. "I-I can hardly wait. I'm sure it will be wonderful."
Daringly she kissed his cheek, fighting the dangerous urge to kiss his chin... his neck... his mouth.
And then no longer able look at him, she hurried out of the café where seconds later her hidden tears unleashed like a Seattle rainstorm.