Happy Valentine's Day to all of my fellow Richonners! Just a quick ficlet of our favorite couple. I hope you enjoy!
Michonne knew this was a bad idea.
She considered leaving for the millionth time that night. She thought about walking to her car, driving back to her townhouse and sitting on her living room couch to watch Netflix with a bowl of chocolate ice cream. That was her original plan for Valentine's Day- to be alone, single and free of a relationship for the first time in three years.
Instead, she found herself sitting alone in the corner of the local coffee shop, a mug of lukewarm coffee in front of her. Other fellow single people- men and women- socialized around her, laughing and recalling stories of past relationships and whatever else went on in their everyday lives. They were all smiling and drinking their coffee, enjoying the company of others who were also alone with no significant other on this commercial holiday.
Michonne sighed as she took a sip of coffee. It was her best friend Sasha's idea to attend the "Alone Together" gathering at the local coffee shop, seeing as how both women had gone through recent breakups and needed a pick-me-up. Coffee, the town's famous chocolate chip cookies and gossip sessions rounded out the perfect girls night out.
The plan fell through, however, when Sasha was called in to cover someone's shift at the fire station. So much for being alone together.
She glanced at her watch, her high heels tapping impatiently on the tiled floor. With ten minutes past 8 pm, it was time to call it a night. She had to be at the hospital early the next morning for work and did not want to waste another minute of her time here alone. She had things to do, goals to conquer and hanging out in the middle of a coffee shop at a still decent hour was not going to accomplish anything.
She reached for her cell phone and was just about to text Sasha her update when a movement a few feet away caught her eye.
She looked up to see a tall, lean man walk into the shop, his strikingly blue eyes taking in the sight around him. He looked hesitant and, to be honest, a little scared as he stood in front of the door. Michonne recognized that look and instantly knew what he was thinking- he wanted to go home, too.
Intrigued, she couldn't peel her eyes away from him as she watched him walk towards the counter to order a coffee. He was dressed in a pair of jeans and a white button-down shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, showcasing his beautiful forearms. His brown curls were neatly cut and his beard was trimmed short. Her gaze swept from the top of his head all the way down to his feet, where she smiled at the mostly worn brown boots he wore. They had obviously seen better days.
In other words, the man looked good. Damn good.
When he turned in her direction, she quickly looked away, directing her attention to look out of the window. She placed an elbow on the table and rested her head on her hand, forcing herself to keep her gaze on the people passing by on the street. With her other hand, she slipped her phone back into her purse. She guessed she could stay just a few minutes longer.
"Is this seat taken?" a heavily accented voice asked. She could already guess who it was.
She looked up and felt her cheeks grow warm; her guess was right. The mysterious man stood on the other side of the table with a steaming hot cup of coffee in his hand, his gaze friendly and his smile sweet as he waited on her answer.
Her breath caught. He was even better looking up close.
"Help yourself," Michonne gestured. A quick glance around the shop showed that she was the only one with a spot open at her table. What a coincidence.
"I'm Rick," he said, holding out his hand. She took it, her smooth palm against his calloused hand. "Rick Grimes."
"Michonne," she said, smiling back at him. "It's very nice to meet you."
Yeah, she could stay for a few minutes longer.