Flashback

A few days ago, he opted to text her and invite her to lunch. She said she didn't have the time to drive to meet him, because she had a huge photography project to get done. So, he drove to meet her instead.

They met for lunch at a local eatery near Mellie's job. It was a quaint place with really good food, and great service. Fitz arrived right on time for their meeting, and Mellie commented when she saw him. "There he is, the guy who takes 3 days to respond to text messages." He laughed at her remark as he approached her, already sitting at the table.

When he reached her, he gave her a half hug and sat down. A move he didn't at the time realize she had a mixed reaction to, until a bit later. It was certainly different then how he'd greeted her with a full on hug, and a kiss on the cheek in the past.

Nonetheless, they ordered and she began the conversation by asking, "How was the drive?" He sighed as he said, "Brutal as expected. Luckily I was off early anyway, otherwise I wouldn't have made it on time." She nodded, and used the moment to segue into what she really wanted to know, as she said, "Well I'm glad you made it. What's going on in your world lately that's got you so busy?"

Thinking she was asking a genuine question, he responded, "The internship has been crazy busy. I'm learning so much every day. It's even more book work than in class. But it's so much faster, so thinking on your feet is essential. And, if your recall game is compromised, you're screwed. So I am loving the competitiveness of it all. It's a crazy rush." While she appreciated his enthusiasm about his job, it wasn't exactly what she wanted to hear about. And she let him know that when she asked, "How's your girlfriend Nyemah played into your busy life?"

He looked at her, smiled, and shook his head, remembering Olivia's warning of where her focus would be. As he responded, "Mel. She's not my girlfriend. We're just friends." She sported a smirk as she replied, "Really? Has anyone else told her that? Because I don't think she got the memo."

He conceded to her perspective as he said, "Good point. But we both know wanting someone to want you, doesn't make it happen. The other party has to be a willing participant, otherwise its light weight stalking." He saw her facial expression change to one of discomfort, and he smiled as he quickly advised, "You can relax your face by the way; that wasn't an intended remark about us, just a little truth bomb."

He noticed how his response caused her expression to once again change, and he asked, "Are you okay Mel?" She replied, "Yes. The question is if you're okay though. You seem different." He nodded as he said, "That may be the case. Everybody changes to some degree, nobody truly stays the same."

Curiously she asked, "What's caused such a change in you?" He replied, "I guess experiences for the most part. Just dealing with different people and learning to see things differently." He could tell she was struggling to keep up with him, he really did appear to be completely different to her. And to be fair, he enjoyed throwing her off her game, it gave him a sense of control.

Seeing he had her on the ropes per se, he said, "My perspective isn't the only thing changing. You don't have to be concerned with me pursuing you romantically anymore. I'm perfectly fine with us just being cool as we've always been."

She replied, "Really? What made you come to that decision?" Openly he said, "Just realizing how important it is to spend your time wisely, pursuing what matters and what will bring a benefit to your life, verses wasting time." She looked at him and asked, "So you think I was a waste of time?" He didn't miss a beat as he responded, "Do you really want me to answer that?"

She didn't expect his response, but had to respect it as she said, "I guess not. You surely seem in good spirits though. I will give you that." He smiled as he asked, "Did you expect to find me on a bridge or something?" She laughed as she replied, "No. Of course not. But come on. We've been paired by our parents as a potential couple since we played JFK and Jackie O in 2nd grade. Something you took to heart, and pursued up till a week ago. So sue me if I take a moment to take this all in."

He smiled and nodded at her as he said, "That's a fair summarization of our past; I'll give you that. Just know we're good Mel. You and I have a unique history that will always be special. But, it's time for us to live for ourselves and figure out what that means."

She had to agree as she said, "I don't know what sparked this change in you Fitz. But, whatever it was, or whoever it was, it's refreshing to see. And I wish you well with-it." He smiled at her as he said, "Thanks Mel."

There was a sense of closure that was felt between them, they'd never felt before. When their meal was over he paid the check, and they walked out the restaurant better as friends than they were when they entered. And on the same page, truly supporting one another and wanting to see each other win in life.

Present

Fitz's recollection of events is interrupted as he hears the beeping of the elliptical. As he starts his cool down, he realizes it's been a half hour already. He locks back in for the five minute cooldown session, and as he closes his eyes. His thoughts land on the coincidence of the week, he can't seem to make sense of.

Yesterday, when he went to lunch with some coworkers at the local deli Jack's. As they were leaving, he saw the server Nick, who waited on him and Mellie at Pink's. And he was sitting at a table with a young lady. They locked eyes and Fitz could've sworn he looked rather nervous, which didn't make sense to him. But, he shirks it off as maybe he was just surprised to see him out and about.

With the cooldown alarm going off. His thoughts again return him to the present, and he reviews the ending stats on the monitor. Satisfied with his calorie burn and heart rate numbers. He finishes up his work out with some stretching, and heads over to the smoothie bar to place his order. After a few minutes of waiting, and flipping through his phone. He hears someone call his name, and he looks over to see its Nyemah walking toward him.

Surprised to see her, he says, "Hey there. How are you?" She smiles at him as she replies, "I'm good. I see you were getting it in over there." He nods as he smiles in return as he responds, "Yeah. Got to get it in to stay fit." He then remembers he texted her a few days ago, and she didn't respond. But before he can bring it up, their conversation is interrupted as his name is called for his order. He grabs his drink and when he turns back to face her, she's talking to someone else.