The restaurant was full. It was noisy, but not the kind of noise you could hear in a bar in Brooklyn. That's a classy noise thought Tony, laughing. He was strangely excited. He had to find a free table. The blond woman who entered the restaurant right before him went to the end of the room. She looked very classy too. She must be used to this place. So he decided to follow her closely, zigzagging between the tables.

Finally he spotted what seemed like the only free table of the whole restaurant, in a corner. He glanced at the woman. Their eyes met. They looked at each other, then at the table, and again at each other. She knew. And he knew she knew. Both instantly hurried to the table. Tony was almost running and he reached the bench a second before her. In the rush the woman almost sat on his laps. Tony gave her a big smile " Sorry, seat taken "

She looked furious. " Never heard of gallantry, young man ? "
Young man ? I bet she's not even 30. She could be my sister if she wasn't blond, thought Tony. " Well hey, I'm sorry lady but I got here before you "
" But this is my seat ! "
Tony rose slightly and pretended to look for something on the seat " I don't see your name on it " The woman rolled her eyes " I meant that's the seat I always take when I go there "
" Me too ! " protested Tony. She looked down at his jeans and his sport shoes and then raised her eyebrow, giving him a look that told him his lie wasn't fooling no one. " Alright, alright. There's enough space for two " He stood up and let her sit on the corner, against the wall. " Thank you " she said with an exaggerated politeness. Tony rolled his eyes. He looked around but there were no chair available so he sat next to her on the bench.

The woman opened her briefcase and spread her papers all over the table, forcing Tony to slide at the end of the table. " You came here to eat or to work ? " asked Tony. " Can't I do both ? " she replied without looking at him. He shrugged. " I just find it strange that you work a day before Christmas, that's all... " She bit her lips " Some people like to work " She returned her attention to her papers.
" Some people like to work " mocked Tony quietly but she didn't seem to hear him.

A waiter came to their table " Good evening Mrs. Bower. What would you like ? " " Oh, I think I'll try the special " she said. " Very good "

Tony was about order too but the waiter was already gone.

Angela thought about calling back the waiter for him but he was too far to hear her now. When he came back with her dish he finally noticed the man. " Sir ? Would you like to order now ? "

" Yeah, uh... " he picked the menu " I'll have... uh... " Angela glanced at him. His eyes widened when he saw the prices. Angela decided to pretend to be interested in her plate. " Uh... a cup of coffee ? " The waiter gave him a funny look " Yes, sir "

While he waited next to her, Angela tried to concentrate on her work, taking a bite every time she turned a page. Why is the waiter taking so much time to bring a simple cup of coffee ? She heard him sighed. She turned her head slightly. The young man looked up at her. He looks familiar, she thought. But that was not possible. He was not the kind of people she was used to frequent. " Looks interesting " he lied, gesturing at her papers. " It is " she nodded. She wasn't really in the mood for a conversation.

Eventually he got his cup of coffee. Angela finished eating. The man seemed to be bored. He was looking around him, drumming his fingers on the edge of the table. Then he started to whistle but an old man at the other table turned around and frowned at him. He instantly stopped, trying to find something else to do. He tried to take a look at the book she was reading as discreetly as he could but when she caught him she closed it. He sighed again. Angela immediately regretted her action. He was just trying to be nice or just engage the conversation. He seemed so out of place among all those men in business suits. What was he doing here ?

No. There was really no way they could have met before. Angela couldn't help but feel curious. She decided to fight her bad mood and engage the conversation but he pulled out his wallet and left his money on the table. " Phew... " he shook his head as he added another coin. He stood up and his warm eyes met hers. He just nodded at her and gave her what looked like the beginning of a smile. There was something in his eyes, something kind and inviting that intrigued her. Something strong that seemed to be pulling her towards him. At least she could apologize for her cold and distant behavior. But then again, what was the point ?

No, the truth was she was just trying to find an excuse to stop him from leaving. He put his wallet back in his pocket. Think fast, Angela. She was about to say something but he turned away and left the restaurant.

To her great surprise Angela felt a knot forming in her throat. When she came here, she wanted to be alone, to work. To take her mind off Michael. But now she needed to talk. To this man. She wanted to know him. Or at least just spend a little more time with him and look in his eyes. She wanted to feel that comfortable warmth rushing through her once again. He had left too soon and she didn't have the time to enjoy it. Why did it sound like she was after something mysterious and forbidden ? All she could think was that it was probably the last time she'd see him. And it was wrong... somehow. It wasn't supposed to be an end. She had to do something. Now.

Before she could start thinking and analyzing too much she quickly gathered her papers, paid for the dinner and went on the streets. It was late and the air was freezing. There he was. He was just about to turn the corner. Angela wanted to call him but she remembered she didn't know his name. She hurried to catch him up.