Author: Jen
Author's Note: The gang never met or knew Joey. Joey and Chandler are both openly gay in their own lives. Events from the show will not line up.
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own anything or any of the characters
A/N: While celebrating Ross's birthday, the gang help Chandler make a connection with their attractive waiter.
"To Ross!" Rachel cheers and we all hold up our glasses.
"Happy birthday, big brother," Monica says.
"Thanks you guys," Ross responds and we all sip our drinks.
Our waiter then returns to take our orders. I have to admit, I've been immensely distracted by this waiter of ours. He's good-looking, but the too good-looking kind, the type that I could never get. So, I know it's a futile infatuation. Yet, here I am infatuated with him. So much so that I trip up on my words while ordering and all my friends notice.
When our waiter leaves again, I'm greeted with all grins from my friends.
"I think Chandler has a crush," Monica sings lightheartedly.
"No," I shake my head shyly.
"He's a hunk - ask for his number," Phoebe more demands than suggests.
"I don't even know if he's gay," I whisper back.
"You have to take your shot honey - oh, this will be such a cute story if you two get married!" Rachel exclaims.
"Shhh," I shush her as I see our waiter returning with a pitcher of water to top off our glasses.
He walks around to each of our glasses and we all sit silently, until Phoebe catches him right before he leaves.
"Hey, do you think our friend Chandler is cute?" she calls at the waiter, putting a hand on my shoulder.
I instantly throw my head in my hands, completely humiliated.
"Sure I do," I hear our waiter respond.
My head pops back up in shock.
"I'm sorry, they're just... drunk," I quickly lie.
"Oh, I'm sober. You two should go out," Phoebe continues with a broad smile.
Our waiter smiles right at me and I feel my cheeks burn from his eyes locking with mine.
"I get off at eight," he informs me and my heart starts pounding at the thought of actually meeting up with him.
I can't get any words out, so I start to nod my head in multiple directions and Rachel swiftly jumps in.
"He'll see you then," she confirms.
"Great," our waiter flashes me another smile and then heads back to the kitchen.
I let out a long, unsteady breath when he leaves.
"You two are going to be so cute together!" Rachel cheers.
"Wow, I can't believe that worked," I express, running my hands nervously through my hair.
"I had to do all the work," Phoebe disputes.
"Right - thanks guys, guess I'm meeting him at eight. Oh god, what am I going to say?" I fret suddenly.
"It's going to be great, just be yourself," Monica encourages, reaching her hand over mine.
I barely look at our waiter the rest of the evening. I avoid eye contact so much, I wonder if he thinks I'm even still meeting him later. I'm wondering the same thing. Of course, my friends refuse to let me bail and insist on waiting outside with me until eight.
"Really guys, you don't have to stay - I'm sure Ross want to head home," I remark as we all stand on the curb in front of the restaurant.
"We're not letting you chicken out," Rachel determines.
"Ross?" I try, hoping he might complain and get everyone to leave.
"I have time buddy," he smiles thinking that's exactly what I want to hear.
I can barely breathe as the minutes are counting down.
"You know, he might not even show. I'm sure he was only being nice," I suddenly protest.
"Well, sure is nice of him to be right on time," Monica grins.
I look up and see our waiter walking out the front door of the restaurant. He's walking right over to us. He's looking right at me.
"Good luck Chandler," Monica whispers and I feel my friends squeeze and pat my arm as they all scurry off. I watch them leave and continue to internally freak out as our hot waiter approaches me.
"Hey Chandler," he greets me.
"Hey, uh..." I blank, realizing I have no idea what his name is.
"Joey," he fills me in.
"Right... hey. Is it stuffy out here?" I comment nervously, pulling on the collar of my turtleneck.
"In the fresh air?" he sneers.
I blush instantly.
"Yeah, must be me," I laugh awkwardly.
"Listen, I'm just gonna be honest. I'm into the whole casual thing," Joey cuts right to the point.
"Oh," I nod.
"You cool with that?" he questions me.
I nod harder.
"Obviously," I spit out.
He bites his lower lip in a small smile and I completely fold at that.
He leans into my lips and my endless panic fades as he kisses me gently. I kiss him back and his hands fall to my jaw and I grab onto the seams of his coat.
We head back to his apartment and get right in his bed.
I wake up the next morning feeling pretty fantastic. I mean, I had sex. Do I have to say that? I'll say it again, I had sex with our super hot waiter!
I look over and see Joey start to stir under the sheets. He rubs his eyes and then looks over at me.
"Hey," I breathe.
He smiles at me without a word. Maybe he's not a morning person.
He gets up from the bed and throws on some pants. I get up, feeling like I should do the same.
He continues to get fully dressed, so I do as well. He walks out to the kitchen so I follow him.
I have no idea what I'm doing, maybe we're not supposed to talk? I'm so lost.
"You need me to call you a taxi?" he asks and I feel my stomach drop. I've never been so blatantly kicked out. Then, I realize I probably never should have slept over. This was casual, a one-night stand. What was I thinking?
"Oh, no I'm good... I'm sorry - I feel asleep. I should have left," I blurt out quickly.
"Don't worry about it," he puts his hands in his pockets.
I feel so uncomfortable, so embarrassed. I couldn't even do this right.
I want to kiss him goodbye, but that seems like it's not allowed.
"Okay, well..." I start to say my goodbye as the apartment door opens and another man walks in.
"Oh, sorry to interrupt," the stranger says, stopping in the doorway.
"No, we were just going to grab coffee," Joey tells the man and now I'm fully confused.
"This is my roommate Luke, this is Chandler" Joey introduces us.
"Hey," I wave to Luke and Luke merely nods at me.
Joey motions me to the door. So, I throw on my coat and follow him out. I walk behind him down the stairs without another word.
When we get outside, he stops again.
"Are we getting coffee? I know a great place," I offer.
"Coffee is more of a date thing," Joey says carefully.
I shake my head abruptly again.
"Totally is, which is why we're not getting any! Okay... well, uh call me - or not. Whatever. See ya," I spill out like an idiot and turn to walk home.
"Chandler," I hear him call behind me. I stop and turn back.
"You didn't give me your number," he chuckles softly.
"Oh, uh you want it?" I ask.
"If you wanna do this again?"
"Yeah - for sure," I answer, reaching for my wallet. I hand him one of my business cards that I never actually use.
"Business man," Joey comments as he takes the card and looks it over.
"Heh, barely," I scoff.
"I'll call you," Joey states simply.
"Cool," I nod, getting the hint this is where I leave, but I can't help myself. I step back to him and kiss him one last time.
"That was just casual," I defend quickly when I draw back.
It makes him smile. I finally turn and leave.