It Takes A Bit More | h.s

four

NOW.

"Leo, no I just parked my car. For fucks sake, I'm getting out of it right now!" I huff, getting out of my car with my phone wedged in between my face and shoulder. I had my keys, purse, and a bag of clothes in one hand, and the other was slamming my car door shut. I visibly struggled with my belongings, my ears burning at the thought of people seeing me struggle. How foolish I must look right now.

"Need some help over there?" I hear a voice call out for me and I sigh, nodding my head.

"Yes please," I say, looking up at the stranger in front of me. He was handsome, dirty blonde-almost brunette wavy locks, piercing blue eyes, and dressed formally in work attire. His blazer was crisp, navy blue with a light pink dress shirt inside of it. I wouldn't even have noticed how pink it was if it weren't for the sun.

"Thank you," I say as he grabs onto the bag of clothes I had, and my car keys. Leaving me to stand there awkwardly with my phone. He clicks my car shut, and it makes the noise to signal it and I smile at him.

"Thank you again," I say, making him laugh.

"It's nothing, do you need me to walk you to where you're going? It can't be that far, can it?" he asks, making me shake my head as my new stretches over to look for the pizza place.

"It's actually right across the street, I'm meeting with a few friends for lunch over there by that pizzeria." I point to it, making him beam at it.

"Ah yes, it's one of my favorite spots in the city. Call me crazy, but nothing beats their attempt at Detroit pizzas." His words make me gasp, chuckling slightly at his words.

"No way! Are you from Michigan? You've got quite an accent though.." I acknowledge his accent for the first time after I ask immediately and he shakes his head.

"No, Ireland actually, but I attended college in UMich," he says, making me gasp again as we get closer to the area. My feet slow down and so do his as if we both weren't looking forward to each other's departures.

"No way! I went to UMich! Holy shit, what a small world. I'm Anna," I introduce myself, stretching my arm out for him to shake and he does.

"Niall, it's a pleasure to meet you, Anna." he smiles at me. "Maybe when you aren't meeting up with a few friends, we could meet here instead? Maybe swap some college stories, drink some cheap beer, and indulge in some pretty good pizza?" he asks, catching off guard for a second and I hesitate.

Do it, Johanna. You've been single for way too long. Six years. You've been through a six-year drought. One date wouldn't hurt, would it?

"Sure," I say, grabbing my stuff from him as we approach the door, I give him my phone and he inputs his number with a smile, making me smile as well. "Should we just text to coordinate? I don't... I don't really know what my schedule going to be like at work, it tends to fluctuate." I grimace, making him nod.

"Ah yeah, mine does too. I guess we can text, see you soon Anna!" he says, holding the door open for me and I walk inside, spotting our table immediately and sucking on a breath as I immediately notice them staring right at me, confused and in shock.

"Hi guys," I say awkwardly, sitting down next to Sylvia. I kiss her on the cheek and she reciprocates, and I lean over to kiss Leo on the cheek as well.

"Who was that?" Sylvia wastes no time in asking me, making me blush.

"I didn't know, just some guy that helped me grab my stuff from my car. He walked me over here to make sure that I was all good and I found out that he went to UMich with me! Though I'm not too sure if we were there at the same time, I sort of had a feeling he'd be older than me?" I say, shrugging my shoulders as I set my phone down.