.:.:.

Elise nervously bit her lip as she pulled into the parking lot of a rather nice looking breakfast joint. Granted, it wasn’t a five-star establishment but it definitely looked nicer than an IHOP or Denny’s. She was starving and could eat just about anything except the limited amount of cash in her wallet and increasing credit limit told her not to.

“Matt, this looks awesome and all but I don’t think I’m dressed up enough.” She timidly told him. She was partly telling the truth but was embarrassed to admit she didn’t have the money.

“Nonsense, you look better than I do.” He shook his head before getting out of the truck and waved for her to follow.

Elise sighed and slowly unclipped the seatbelt. It’s only one meal, Leese. It’ll be alright. You’ll just be more careful next time.” She gave herself a pep talk while following Matt into the restaurant.

The décor of the restaurant was beautiful. A soft, pale yellow color washed over the walls with white crown molding lining the ceiling. All the tables and chairs were made of dark wood, making the fresh white daisies on every table top stand out. The wait staff were dressed in white, long sleeve Oxford shirts, black aprons and slacks. Elise felt even more nervous.

Elise turned to face Matt, “I really don’t think- “

“Hello, and welcome. Table for two?” a host interrupted Elise while Matt nodded his head.

He grabbed two menus and stuck them under his arm. “Follow me.” He smiled and led the two towards an empty section of the restaurant.

“I hope you don’t mind the lack of guests in this area. I thought it might be nice to have a date where the noise level was a little quieter. Tera will be your server this morning. Enjoy.” The host slightly bowed before walking off.

Elise was mid-objection, mouth slightly open when Matt began laughing out loud.

“Your face is priceless. It’s like you had no idea this was a date.” He smirked and sat down while removing his hat and sunglasses.

Elise remained quiet and took a seat while sticking her face in the menu. She felt lightheaded, hot, and embarrassed.

Is he kidding? He has to be. There’s no way he would even consider a date with me. He has to have a girlfriend or something. Then again, this is a nice restaurant…Stop it, girl! He’s only trying to be kind by showing you a nice place in town. Although…-” Elise went back and forth inside her mind.

“Elllliiiiiissssseee!” Matt poked the back of her menu.

She blinked a few times before lowering the menu, “Hmm?” was all she managed to come out with.

Matt scratched at his head, “You know I was only joking with you, right? I didn’t mean to make things awkward. Shit, that makes it sound like I think something like that is only for a joke. I didn’t mean asking you on a date was a joke, just that-“

“It’s alright, Matt. I’m really just hungry. I tend to space out when I need food.” She tried to make her smile seem genuine before glancing back at the list of breakfast items.
He returned the smile before picking up his own menu. A couple awkward minutes passed in silence before Matt closed his menu and slammed it down on the table. “Alright, I feel like an ass. That whole “date” thing was dumb. Look, I’m going to be honest with you, Elise. You’re-“

“Hello you two. My name is Tera and I’m going to be taking care of you today. What can I get started for your beverages?” The young server beamed.

Elise and Matt placed their drink orders quickly, sending Tera away with a smile.

“As I was saying,” Matt begun as he looked around warily just waiting for another distraction.

“I wanted to tell you-“

“What’s up, fishes!” a voice echoed through the quiet restaurant causing Matt to groan.

Not two seconds later, Johnny came walking towards their table with an embarrassed Lacey following.

Johnny plopped himself on the booth next to Matt. “Fancy seeing you guys here. What are you up to?”

Matt turned to look at the bassist, a questioning “are you serious” look on his face. Elise couldn’t help but giggle at the scene in front of her; Johnny’s head was resting on his hand, elbow on the table while looking at an irritated Matt.

“Johnny, you’re such a dork.” Lacey sighed as she stood next to a seated Elise.

Tera approached the group with their beverages and set them on the table.

“Hi, will you two be joining them this morning?” the waitress smiled as she looked between Johnny and Lacey.

Lacey shook her head, “We were just saying hello. We’ll both be leaving right now. C’mon, babe.” She pulled her man from the booth and began pushing him towards the exit. “See you two later!” She turned her head back while still pushing Johnny from behind.

.:.:.

Breakfast was quiet with not much small talk. The atmosphere between the two had changed. Matt was irate and confused about what was going on in his mind. His train of thought was wrecked, only simple questions to ask Elise came to mind. Elise, being nervous about what Matt had to say at the beginning of breakfast, only gave short answers to his questions. The bill was dropped off as both people reached for it.

“You’re seriously not thinking I’ll let you get this, right?” Matt smirked as his fingers gripped the edge of the leather bill holder.

Elise tightened her grasp even more as she stared him straight in the eye. A small smirk slowly making its way onto her lips until her face fell into a horrified expression.

“Matt, don’t move.” She warned him dangerously.

“That’s not going to work, missy.” He chuckled.

She only shook her head with wide eyes. Their grip on the booklet never eased up while her gaze never moved from something to his left. Curiosity got the better of him and soon Matt turned his head.

“Jesus, fuck!” he exclaimed while pulling both hands towards him in defense.

Jimmy let out a loud cackle as Elise joined in on the laughter; the bill holder now being held securely in her hands.

“Do you want to get your face punched in? Because that’s how you get your fucking face punched in!” Matt growled as his friend held his sides in laughter. “How the fuck are you so quiet anyways?”

“Johnny told me you were here so I thought I’d drop in. I saw you two were at an impasse so I decided to help.” Jimmy managed to answer as his laughter died down.

Matt rolled his eyes, “So why not scare her?”

His blue eyes shifted towards Elise then back to Matt. “Cause I know she would kick my ass up and down the PCH if I stuck my face next to hers again.”

“Aww, Jimmy, I don’t bite,” her eyes locked with Jimmy’s, “we’re not in the bedroom.” She finished with a wink, earning a snicker from Matt.

“I’ll let Lee-Lee know. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind a third.” Jimmy winked back.

She chuckled to herself, hand covering her face as embarrassment set in while the two men shared a fist bump.

“You’re something else.” Elise mumbled, hand still over her face.

Matt took this moment of opportunity to reach over the table and quickly snatch the bill from her hands. Her eyes narrowed in a playful glare as Matt slipped some cash inside.

“I’ll let this one go but I’m getting the next one.” She warned.

He smirked while getting up from the table, “We’ll see about that.”

.:.:.

The three of them were outside the restaurant as Matt and Jimmy had a smoke. Elise played on her phone while she waited. It surprised her that she hadn’t checked her Facebook or emails the second she woke up. She chalked it up to the odd feeling of waking up in an unfamiliar place. Unfamiliar but she couldn’t wait to make it her home sweet home. She shot her uncle a quick text about coming in to see him today then closed out her messages. A smile lit up her face as she noticed an email from Claire. Her finger couldn’t tap on the screen fast enough as she began to read.

“Hey, Chicky. Don’t feel bad about leaving, I understand why you did it. Am I upset about my baby sister not being here with me? Yes. But that’s ok. : ) Everyone there sounds down to Earth, maybe I can work up the courage to come visit you soon. Also, I’m glad you’ll be working with uncle but just be careful. Make sure you do YOUR job and your job only. You’ll see what I mean. And my back is alright. I have my good days and my bad days. I’m seeing a new doctor so my medications have been changed for the better. So much so that I’m thinking about getting a phone again. Yay or nay? I love you, sis. Email me back ASAP! ❤”

Elise beamed at her sister’s response. Having a sister is one thing, but having a twin sister meant having a special and rare connection. She missed being around Claire. Ever since Claire’s accident, Elise wasn’t able to spend much time with her. That was all in the past and Elise was excited to reconnect with her sister again. Who knows? Maybe she could convince her to move to Huntington. She made a mental note to write back to Claire as soon as she got back to the apartment. For now, she needed to worry about making a good impression with her uncle.

“So, Matt says you’re both gonna go run some errands today?” Jimmy asked after blowing out a big cloud of smoke.

Elise nodded her head and lowered her sunglasses over her eyes. “I’m getting a job at my uncle’s restaurant, I just want to get my manual and dress code before Friday.”

“Sweet. Well, let me know how it goes. Zacky and Gena are having everyone over at their place tonight to catch up with our friend Brian. I assume you’ll be there? Who am I kidding, of course you will!” Jimmy exclaimed while flailing his long arms in the air.

She chuckled at his enthusiasm and merely gave him a thumbs-up. Jimmy saluted to her and gave Matt a fist bump before walking away down the quiet streets of Huntington.

Notes

I wonder what Matt was trying to say? Thank you to everyone that has continued to read this series!