2.
Hope, hope there's a conversation
We both admit we had it good
If he were to go back into the endless stream of memories, beyond the painful nights and dull aches of the past year, he would land himself back in this little café, on a late Monday afternoon.
He can see her sitting in the very seat across from him, her brilliant smile gracing her features. It's significant because she hasn't been so happy in a while. The stress of college life had gotten to her, and along with her recent falling out with Maya, she was a mess.
So he had brought her around New York instead of letting her stay holed up in her dorm with her work, because he knows that she needs it.
"You know, if you were so interested in that children's puppet show earlier, we could spend one evening watching it if you like," Lucas muses as he gives her a soft grin.
Riley laughs, and god, he loves her laugh. It's bright, and raw, and real. It's so natural to her, like she was born to laugh. And he loves it.
"Thanks Luke, but I'm pretty sure neither of us have the time to do that over the next few weeks." She's smiling, but he can tell from her eyes that the thought of all the work she had to complete was taking its toll on her again.
"I could put on my own puppet show for you," Lucas said, leaning forward over the table with a smirk. He feels his heart lift slightly as her eyes light up with amusement.
"Oh really?" she drawls, leaning towards him so that they mirror each other, their shared milkshake sitting between them.
"Why not? I have too many socks anyway. One day, you're gonna wake up to a cut up box at the end of your bed, and little puppets dancing around."
Riley laughs, and Lucas grins. "What story would you put on?"
"Well, there's this story that I particularly like."
Riley raises an eyebrow in question.
"It's about this guy. He meets a girl, you see, after she falls into his lap. And his life is never the same after that."
Riley's smile widens. "Tell me more about this story."
"Well, I wouldn't want to spoil the story for you," Lucas began, earning a grin from her, "but they really like each other, and even though things get hard, they end up together and last for the rest of their lives."
Riley blinks, momentarily stunned, before her smile fades into something soft and deep. "Do they really last forever?"
"They've got about five years under their belt now, and he really loves her, so I wouldn't be surprised."
Somehow he finds himself suddenly unable to breathe at the way the sunlight makes her glow, her warm brown eyes staring directly into his own green ones. Something swirls in her eyes, and she cracks a soft smile.
"I wouldn't be surprised either."
They gaze at each other, with gentle smiles and only inches between them. The quiet chatter of the other customers around them is suddenly muted. And in that moment it is just them, sitting at that quiet booth.
She closes the gap between them, and he is slightly taken aback, but once her soft lips are on his, nothing else matters. He feels her smile against his lips, and he can't help but smile too.
She pulls away, and he is slightly dazed. "What was that for?"
"I love you."
Just like that, that quiet Monday afternoon is forever etched into his memories, and he knows that another one of those unforgettable moments has made its way into his life.
On many days, he wishes he could forget them all. But he can't.
