A little disclaimer to say that I'm not 100% sure of the timeline of The All-Nighter through the first couple episodes of Season 7 - I might be taking some creative liberties. I've been gearing up to write this story for a while, so I have to admit I'm excited to finally be writing and sharing it. Thanks for reading, and happy summer!
Angela stared into her almost full coffee cup. She'd only been able to stand two sips of it and only ever touched it as a means to keep busy by stirring it around with the plastic stirrer. She wasn't sure of the time anymore, but she and Peter had been sitting in the cafe long enough for a dark ring to stain the inside of the mug. There weren't many people around, either. It had to be nearing closing time.
Peter took over the conversation ages ago, rambling on and taking the stress of small talk off of her. Whatever it was, glancing up and nodding now and then seemed to suffice. He carried on, keeping the tone light. But now, seeing her with her head cast down and eyes on the verge of tears again, he grew serious.
"Whoever upset you must have really done a number."
"Hmm?" she looked up, tilting her head back as though the motion would be able to drain the moisture.
"I said, whoever upset you—"
"Oh," she shook her head, "Yeah. I'm sorry. I don't mean to ignore you. Really, I'm fine. Like I said, it was a rough day. A lot of frustration."
"Angela," he said, lightly running a finger over her knuckles, "I know the difference between having a bad day and being hurt."
She didn't respond.
"I'm all ears if you need to vent."
Glancing up again, she chewed on her lip, not wanting to fall apart in public and seek comfort from her client no less. "I appreciate it. You have no idea how much."
Peter backed off. "But you don't want to talk about it. I understand."
Somehow, she managed a smile, bringing the coffee to her lips for the third time for the sake of distraction. When she'd had another minute to compose herself, she found herself saying, "Something happened with a friend of mine."
"An accident?" he asked with concern.
"Oh, no," Angela corrected, "nothing so serious."
"Ah," he nodded. "A fight, then?"
She shrugged. "Not exactly. It's complicated."
"We don't have to talk about it," he said. "Clearly, you don't want to."
"I do and I don't," she said truthfully. "Mostly don't."
"Then it's forgotten. Just because I become a pathetic wretch when I'm upset doesn't mean you have to as well."
A slight but definite smile appeared.
"I wish I was kidding about that, by the way." He winked.
He carried on again, making jokes that got increasingly lamer as Angela conceded to laughter at the sheer ridiculousness of them. She made more of an effort to listen, content enough with at least being in the presence of someone who genuinely didn't seem to care if a frown slipped by now and then. It was difficult not to keep thinking about Tony, but she'd tortured herself enough with the topic for today.
"So, is John in California working on the campaign?" she asked, making an effort to contribute to the conversation as well as get the attention off of herself for a little while. It backfired on her, though, as she started to process. "Why didn't you go with him? There isn't a problem, is there? I mean, is this something I should fly out for?"
Peter laughed. "Whoa, whoa, slow down. He had to check-in at our office there. We figured I could take care of business here while he flew out."
"Good," she nodded. "No emergencies then?"
"Nope."
"Well… I know we didn't get to the studio to go over those tapes. We can do that tomorrow if you're around. But since we're here, we can still go over some of the—"
"This isn't a meeting," he reminded.
"I know. I just feel bad wasting your time. You commuted all the way here."
"Just a train ride. I've suffered through worse."
"Still, it's an awfully long way for coffee."
"And good company."
Her eyes widened. "I'm good company? I'm a mess. I'm sure I have raccoon eyes."
"Nah," he said as he reached across the table and carefully touched the corner of her left eye. "Just a dab right there."
She lifted her hand to where he had pointed, then reached for her purse and searched for a mirror.
"Don't worry about it. You've been a joy to work with. John and I both agree this is the strongest campaign we've ever had."
Her search was forgotten with the compliment and her hands fell. "Thank you. I've enjoyed working with you both as well."
"To tell you the truth, I was glad when I realized I'd be handling our meeting alone tonight."
"… Were you?"
"I almost asked you to dinner the other night, but you seemed a bit stressed."
A sick feeling came over her. He must have been referring to last night.
"Oh," was all that she responded.
"Sorry, I shouldn't jump to conclusions."
"No, that's not it. I guess I was pretty flustered."
He sighed. "I feel bad for having enjoyed myself tonight while you're struggling with something."
Daring to return one of his many respectable gestures, she touched his sleeve. "Don't feel bad. Personal reasons aside, so have I. I was happy to get out of the house. I'm grateful for the company and that I haven't scared you off professionally or personally."
Peter smiled. "Maybe, once things calm down, we can go out again?"
Her voice shook. "On a date?"
Pulling back a bit, he replied, "If you're interested. No pressure. Right now, we're just two friends having coffee. I know it can get messy getting involved with someone you work with."
She cast her eyes down to the table again. He didn't know the half of it.
Despite all that had happened with Tony, the resistance she'd built up over the past year – maybe longer – was kicking in. It didn't feel right to go on a date with another man. Saying yes to coming out with Peter tonight had been out of the need for companionship. Tony usually filled that position. Now he was who she was trying to get away from. Suddenly it became clear what she'd lost. She wasn't going to go home tonight and make up with Tony. She wasn't even sure if there was anything that needed to be resolved anymore. She'd said her piece and he stayed quiet. By the time he'd decided to respond, she was heading out the door. She didn't have it in her to turn back.
As she looked up again at Peter, she realized how much she didn't want to go home. What happened with Kathleen wasn't going to go away. This wasn't a household disagreement or silly feud. Everything changed the second he confirmed her suspicions about last night. Yes, she still wanted to salvage their friendship, but realistically, it wasn't going to happen immediately. And what if things never went back to normal? What then?
Maybe this was the slap in the face she needed. She'd waited around for Tony for too long, hanging on to a dream. She'd put so much energy into not pushing him into something he wasn't ready for that she let him slip away. The perfect relationship wasn't going to just fall into place when everything aligned. Other than that one mention of the future in Jamaica, she didn't really know where she stood with him. This was Tony. Flirtations could be anything from his playful nature, to attraction, to something deeper. She'd been foolish enough to believe the latter.
What Kathleen meant to him, she had no idea either, but given his hesitation when she asked if it was over, she had to wonder if this was something more serious. If that were the case, she didn't want to let someone as sweet and charming as Peter slip away as well. All night he'd made it his mission to make her smile (usually Tony's department…). They'd got on well from the start, but having time alone with him, she could see potential. She wasn't sure if she was ready, but she wasn't going to make another mistake.
"I'd like to go out again." She forced herself to smile despite the acid in her stomach turning to fire.
"Yeah?"
She nodded.
"How about this weekend? Dinner in the city Saturday night?"
"That sounds wonderful." Patting his hand, she finished, "I promise I won't be such a downer then. I swear I am capable of having a two-way conversation that doesn't revolve around work."
"Don't worry about it," he chuckled. "We're all entitled to a bad day."
She grinned again, though it quickly faded. She could only wish this would last a single day.
