Hello, It's Me.

Part 9

Note: I can't remember if I previously mentioned their ages or not (I'm too lazy to check haha), but I decided that Lucas is 26, Josh 28, and everyone else is 25.

Lucas wiped his hands on his pants, his mouth chewing deliberately on a piece of breadstick, as he waited for Missy Bradford. He glanced around the restaurant it wasn't huge, but it held a warmth to it that made him feel like he was at his own home.

He caught sight of Missy sashaying her slick satin dress that dipped low on the front and was a bit too short for the family restaurant. Her hair was done in a curly updo and she had a bright smile on her face. She swooped down to kiss Lucas's cheek, leaving him a bright red lipstick stain.

"Hi Missy." He wondered if he sounded as uncomfortable as he felt.

"Hi Lukey Pooky," She hummed with a flutter of her eyelashes. "Oh everything sounds so good."

"They've got great, authentic Italian food," He assured her.

The waiter showed up and they ordered their food and drinks.

"So," Missy said picking up a breadstick. "How was Texas?"

"It was great," He said shortly.

"Just great?"

"Yeah," He nodded "I mean I got my dream job, so that's nice."

"Which is...?"

"I became a veterinarian," He said. "It took me seven years of hard work, but it was worth it."

"So twenty six and still single?" She asked her mouth quirking up seductively.

Lucas cleared his throat. "I did date. I just didn't have much luck."

"The right girl will show up," She smiled. "She could be right in front of you and you wouldn't even know."

Not likely, he thought.

"Maybe." He shrugged.

"I mean a lot of people we graduated with are married or getting married," She waved the breadstick around as she spoke. "I mean look at Riley and Charlie soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Gardner!"

His jaw twitched at the mention of Riley and Charlie. If he had heat vision he knew the flower pot nearby would explode in flames. He sucked a breath and forced a smile. The waiter came by with their food and Missy quickly began to dig in.

"I mean they are so cute!" She squealed through mouthful of linguine. "They look so happy and so in love." Her dark eyes stayed fixed on him, gauging his reaction.

He stilled himself, forcing his smile even wider. "Yeah, I'm so happy for them."

She grabbed her drink and raised it up for a toast. "To the happy couple!" She cheered.

Lucas gritted his teeth and reluctantly raised his glass. Missy noted his hesitancy with a smirk. He brought his glass near hers and clanked them.

This night was going to be long.

After a long dinner, Lucas happy that this night was coming to a close. He had been sad that due to some unfortunate circumstance, Riley hadn't made it to lunch. Dinner with Missy had been a rodeo he hadn't enjoyed so much.

The waiter brought the check and she pulled out money.

"Oh Missy I've g-" He started but was cut off by her voice.

She held up her hand and tossed him a look. "I said I was buying."

"Let me do it."

"Oh, always the gentleman. It's the twenty first century, Lukey. I'm buying."