Anakin introduces Padmé to his best friend, Obi-Wan. She likes what she sees. Modern day AU.
"I hope he'll like me."
"Padmé, don't worry. He's dying to meet you."
She raised an eyebrow at Anakin. "Really? He's that enthusiastic?"
"Well...no, but when I mentioned that I'd like the two of you to meet, he said he'd be happy to."
"That's pretty much how everyone responds to the prospect of meeting the significant other of their best friend, though." She paused. "I bet he's tired of you talking about me and said yes so he could meet me and find out if I'm really a good girlfriend for you."
The young man shook his head and took her hand in his. "You've got it all wrong, Padmé. He's not a cynical person, just...cautious."
"Because of your last girlfriend?"
It was no secret that Anakin was a poor judge in character when it came to women. He usually went for the bubble-headed, flirtatious types who fawned all over him, but after his break-up with Saris, his eighth girlfriend of the year, he decided that a change was in order. It was high time that he had a girlfriend who was beauty and brains in one complete package.
Padmé was the perfect example of this. She was part of the debate team at her college, she tutored underprivileged children in the poor areas of the city and she had won Queen Coruscant for three years in a row. She also had sexy legs. 'Nuff said.
"Yeah, but I've matured a lot this past year. When he sees you, he'll understand that."
"Sounds good," she replied and grabbed her purse. "Listen, I have to go to the restroom. If he gets here while I'm gone, don't brag about me too much."
Anakin grinned, showing off his white teeth. "I make no promises."
"Of course not," was her answer and she slipped away to the ladies' room.
After using the toilet, Padmé exited the stall and gave a long look at herself in the mirror. She really had to find a way to break up with Anakin soon. Sure, he was handsome and he flattered her - a little too much for her liking - but he wasn't the right guy. They didn't have much in common and she often daydreamed about being somewhere else whenever they were together.
He always came up with excuses to be near her. It was so annoying! She'd be at work and see him smiling and waving at her through the front window. Checking her cell filled her with trepidation because she just knew there'd be half a dozen messages or texts from Anakin asking her how she was feeling or saying how beautiful she is.
Now, she no problem being admired and sweet-talked - provided it was genuine - but this was far too much! Clingy men were even worse than clingy women and Padmé had had about as much of it as she could stand.
"You have to do it today. You're going have lunch with him and his friend, be friendly and make witty conversation, then you're going to ask to talk to Anakin alone and break it off before you leave this restaurant. You have to do it, Padmé."
With that, she let go of the sink and washed her hands. Then she straightened her blouse and walked out of the restroom, head held high with determination in her eyes. As she neared the booth, she saw another man and realized that it was Anakin's friend.
Her eyes widened in surprise as he stood up when she came to a stop. He had blue eyes, reddish brown hair that stopped at the middle of his neck, a trimmed beard that added an distinguished air to his appearance. He wore a brown button down shirt, jeans, a tan jacket and a pair of boots. In other words, he looked damn good.
Anakin beamed as he introduced them. "This is Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan, meet my girlfriend, Padmé."
She licked her lips and willed herself to stop staring. It wouldn't do to have Anakin suspect that she was attracted to his best friend, even though it was the truth.
Padmé relaxed her expression and sent him a friendly smile, raising her hand to the other man. "I've heard many good things about you."
"And I've heard much about you as well." Obi-Wan's warm English - English! - accent wrapped around her like a thick mink blanket. He took her hand and instead of shaking it, he bent down and gently pressed his lips to her knuckles.
If she had less self-control, she might have squealed. The electricity that zapped through her fingers just from a little kiss was jolting. Padmé trembled slightly as she extracted her hand and Obi-Wan looked surprised himself, slowly staring at her in wonder. Maybe he felt it too.
Get it together!
"Shall we sit? I don't know about you guys, but I'm starving." She sat and both men followed suit.
Anakin gave her a curious look and glanced at his friend before shrugging and picking up his menu. "Yeah. I'm hungry enough to eat an entire cow."
A chuckle came from the other man. "That's basically what you eat every day. You should add more roughage to your diet, Anakin. A man cannot live on meat alone."
"That's what I keep telling him. He seems to believe that he can eat steak and mashed potatoes and that's all his body needs to survive." Padmé rolled her eyes and Obi-Wan gave her an approving nod.
"As his former roommate, I know that situation all too well. It was so hard to get him to eat vegetables. Even his doctor has begun to give up on him."
They laughed and Anakin frowned, pouting a little. "Could you two stop talking about me as if I'm not here?"
"Sorry," Padmé giggled, but she didn't sound one bit remorseful.
"Tell you what. If you order a side salad with your meal, we won't gossip about your meat obsession. How's that?" Obi-Wan winked at her and she felt butterflies in her stomach.
"Oh, fine. But let's talk about something else, please."
Padmé skimmed her menu, trying not to look at the handsome man who sat in the booth opposite her. "Yes, like how you made me think that Obi-Wan was some old, white-haired wizard with back problems."
"I did not." Anakin protested, but his reply was weak.
"Did he really? I'm not surprised. He loves to make jokes at my expense. You'd think he'd show respect to someone who's older than him."
Brazenly, she asked, "And old are you?"
Obi-Wan didn't hesitate though. "Thirty-four."
Oh, lord. He's even more appealing now. "Well, you certainly don't look it. If you hadn't said anything, I would've thought you were in your late twenties." Realizing that she may have sounded like his age was a disappointment, she added, "Not that being in your thirties makes you old. I think you look very ha-nice."
He smiled and looked away, a slight red flush showed on his cheeks, but he looked back at her again, eyes boring into her soul. It was mesmerizing. "Thank you. That's very kind."
"You're welcome." Her words came out a little breathy and she held his gaze, oblivious to Anakin - luckily, he was staring at his menu, trying to figure out what to order - and took a sip of water.
All of the anxiety Padmé previously felt about this day had faded away like it'd never been there. She knew she'd enjoy this lunch and once she was free of Anakin, maybe she could convince Obi-Wan to join her for coffee sometime. From the look her gave her, she had a feeling that he'd say yes.