After reading your reviews I have to wonder if my spin off is going to become a reality (wishful thinking…)
It was Amanda.
She looked exactly the same but there was something different about her, whatever it was, he couldn't define it. But there was absolutely no doubt in his mind it was her.
Amanda.
She walked to the bar and he didn't detect a limp or anything that could point on damage to her leg. She seemed fine.
Then she saw him.
Her eyes met his and it felt like being struck by lightning. Nick had never experienced anything like this, but seeing that familiar blue, being so close to her and yet so far, Why did that man call her Sherry? It felt like being punched in the gut, he was in shock and could not move, remained planted on the stool just staring at her.
"Can I help you?" she asked it without a shred of uncertainty in her voice, as if this was normal.
Nick's mind went blank and it took everything he had to nod "yeah" he replied, not sure how he was keeping his voice calm when all he wanted to do was jump over the counter and first give her a hug followed by many questions "I heard the hamburger is decent"
"Alright" she disappeared again, probably to the kitchen.
Nick felt the need to breathe some fresh air and he slowly got up, afraid to lose his balance. But finally both of his feet were on the floor and he walked to the door.
Once he was outside Nick leaned on the wall and took a few deep breaths. What was going on? He started walking along the wall, his mind was all over the place, he couldn't form a coherent thought, it was just too unreal. Amanda was in California, not that far from him, how long has she been living here? But she didn't reach out, didn't call, nothing.
Nick heard something, sounded like a door being shut and he hurried to the direction it came from. He stayed hidden behind a wall but peeked just enough to see what's going on. Amanda was outside, she was looking straight ahead, not turning her head to look at his direction, and just like Nick did a few minutes ago she leaned on the wall. She messed her hair even more by running her hand through it. She looked a little stressed and Nick asked himself if seeing him had this effect on her, she probably didn't expect him to show up, there was no reason for him to be in Aramile, he wouldn't have set foot in this town if it wasn't for the car breaking down.
Amanda didn't stay outside for much longer, just a couple of seconds later she walked back through the door. Nick watched as it closed behind her. He wanted them to talk, maybe she'd give him some answers.
He walked back inside and sat down, waiting for Amanda to come back.
"So what are you doing here?" the man asked Nick, he was holding the glass which was full again.
"My car broke down" Nick replied.
"Tough luck, I'm sure they'll fix it soon" he raised the glass as if he was drinking for that.
Nick didn't get a chance to respond because Amanda showed up with the food.
"Thank you" he looked straight into her eyes when he said it, not even in his wildest dreams he'd think that Amanda Rollins would be serving him food in a bar. But still, this was in no way funny, because he had no idea what's going on and he hated that.
He tried not to stare at her too much, she was walking around rearranging things, talking to the man who'd recommended the burger, not that Nick could taste anything, he was too distracted.
The other two men who were sitting at a table asked her to bring them some beers and she walked over there with two bottles.
This was probably the most surreal thing Nick had ever experienced. He listened as they thanked her, calling her Sherry, flirting a little. A part of him wanted to jump off of the chair and shut them up. She got back behind the bar and gave him a quick look.
"What do you say?" they both turned to look at the man "it's good, right? Josh can cook, that's for sure, ha Sherry?"
"Sure can" she smiled, but it wasn't directed at Nick.
The man was about to speak when the door opened and two guys walked in.
"Sherry!" one of them called "you just get more beautiful with everyday that goes by" he walked behind the bar and Amanda took a step back, she didn't seem to be afraid of him, but she gave Nick another quick look, as if to tell him to stay out of this.
"Always the gentleman, ha Pete?" there was no doubt the old man's tone was filled with nothing but sarcasm.
"Shut up old man" Pete looked at him "I'm just giving the lady a compliment, a much deserved one" he turned his head to Amanda when he said the last part.
"What do you want Pete?" she asked him.
"Came here to see Josh" he moved a little further "and I never miss a chance to see your pretty face"
"Just go to the kitchen" she didn't budge as he disappeared, not without winking at her.
Pete's companion followed him in silence.
"Jerk" the old man muttered and took a few sips of his drink, emptying it.
There were noises coming out of the back room but Nick couldn't hear clearly. Amanda took the empty glass and placed it under the counter.
Somehow Nick had managed to finish the food without even noticing it. He wasn't even sure how long he's been sitting there but each passing moment was making it harder for him to just stare at the scene that's been unfolding in front of him. Maybe this is a dream? Maybe he just misses her so much that he now has dreams about her. He'd rather have different dreams, ones where she is Amanda, where no one calls her by a different name, giving her compliments in a creepy way.
Pete and his friend walked back a short time later. Pete placed something in his pocket and gave Amanda a wide smile before leaving.
It seemed to Nick that a silence has fallen on the bar, covering it like a blanket. He heard a few chairs moving and turned to see the other two men getting up and leaving money on the table. One of them waved at Amanda and she smiled at him.
Suddenly a ringing noise disturbed the bizarre atmosphere. Amanda and the man looked at him, it was his phone.
"Yeah?" he answered, it was the mechanic, calling to let him know fixing the car took less time then he had expected and told him he's welcomed to pick it up. Nick said he'd be there soon. As he placed the phone on the counter he knew he had to leave, but how could he leave like that? Without talking to her? Without saying anything?
Like when she was at the hospital and he could do anything but stare? No, he had to get some answers, to understand.
"Well, my car's fixed" he looked at the man, intentionally avoiding eye contact with Amanda.
"And you didn't have to be stuck here for too long…" the man said.
"It wasn't that bad" Nick smiled at him as he took out his wallet, he took a few bills and placed them by the plate. He figured she wouldn't talk to him with somebody else standing next to them, and even if the old man leaves, the cook was in the kitchen.
"Thank you" he looked at her and quickly walking away, leaving the phone behind.
He walked outside and took a few steps away from the bar and looked around to see if there was someone nearby. But there was no one and Nick decided to wait, he hoped Amanda wouldn't ignore his sign.
A few minutes later Nick was getting restless, maybe she didn't want to talk to him? Should he just go back and grab the phone? He can't really go back to LA without him. But just when Nick was about to go back inside the door opened and she emerged.
He watched as Amanda walked in his direction. Maybe all these long months he's been missing her took their toll but he was mesmerized, didn't take his eyes off of her as she moved closer.
She handed him the phone and his fingers, very much intentionally, grazed hers.
He waited for her to talk first, but he was willing to run after her if she wasn't going to speak.
"Your car really broke down?" she asked.
"I was driving back from San Diego" he nodded. She didn't reply to that, she looked away and Nick followed her gaze with his eyes
"Your leg seems to be fine" it came out harsher than he meant, but he had trouble controlling his tone, especially when all he wanted to do was to ask her what the hell was going on.
"You really better go and just…" she let out a puff of air "just go ok?"
Nick was not expecting that, for a moment he feared he might faint as he felt the blood draining from his face, but he remained standing.
"No…" he started but she raised her hand, almost touching him and he craved for her to do just that.
"You shouldn't be here Nick" she turned away and hurried back into the bar, leaving Nick standing there.
He was going to walk away, but he didn't promise not to be back.