Free Awakening by Sydney Holmes

“I thought I could buy you lunch if you give me a ride to my office.”
    He suddenly looks shy, a look that’s becoming on him. A date? Am I allowed to go on a date? Of course I am. Besides, it’s just lunch with a colleague.
    “Oh! Yes, I do need to eat,” I say, slowly. This internal fight is taking its toll on me and I feel myself hesitating. He looks unsure of himself and glances at me expectantly. “Okay. That sounds fair.” I slide my chair back to stand.
    He lets out a breath and I smile at his nerves. Just then the phone rings.
    “Hi Julie, I’m going to lunch then taking Mr. Cole back to his office,” I clip into the phone, hoping it sounds professional.
    I hear Julie start singing something into the phone and hang up before I can make out what she is saying.
    “Please,” he says. “Please, call me Ryan.”
     
    Although we can see traffic on El Camino Real, this bistro is set back far enough that the noise doesn’t reach us. Eating lunch outside is a rarity for me. Come to think of it, leaving the office for lunch is a rarity.
    Ryan seems completely relaxed, a state I’ve never seen him in before. He is almost jovial, and his mood is infectious. It helps that the sun is out, creating one of those beautiful May days. We order sandwiches and salads with Italian sodas. Our number six is perched on our table.
    I sip my soda and sit back in the chair. Every small muscle in my back and shoulders seems to let go as the sun warms my face.
    “Wow. You look so much better out here in the sun!” Ryan says, as he sits back in his chair.
    I cough a little. “Better? Wow Ryan, you are quite the charmer.”
    Even his little comment isn’t going to ruin my relaxed state. It feels too good to be out of the office and away from everything.
    “Uh.” He looks alarmed. “I just meant. Um—not better, well yes, better, not that you looked bad before.”
    I laugh. “Chill buddy, I’m not fishing for a compliment. I’m just enjoying being outside. I miss the sun.”
    I close my eyes again and lean my head back against the chair. He lets out a quiet breath and neither of us speak for a while. It’s so comfortable to just sit with each other. I have to admit, I was expecting this experience to be nerve racking, especially after last night’s dream.
    Damn, the dream! My eyes fly open. Why did I think of that right now?
    “What’s wrong?” Ryan looks concerned.
    “Nothing. I just thought of something I was supposed to do.”
    “I hate that feeling.” He settles back down.
    Our food arrives and we both sit up to begin eating. Relieved to have a distraction, I push the memories away.
    “So, Ryan. Tell me about being a lawyer?”
    “Are we going back to banalities?” He looks disappointed.
    “No. I really want to know. I told you I was prelaw in college.”
    “Yeah, you mentioned that. You mean you didn’t always want to be a party planner?”
    He’s teasing me and I immediately want to be offended. Oh please, Nora, you never wanted to be a party planner.
    Laughing instead, I relax. “No. This is my summer job until I figure out which law school to apply to.”
    Ryan’s eyes bulge in surprise and he coughs. “You just graduated?”
    “Oh, no. I graduated three years ago.” I smirk at him while taking a big bite of my sandwich.
    He gapes at me for a beat before he laughs.
    “So, tell me about being a lawyer. What kind of law do you practice?” I say, my mouth still full.
    “Okay, Young.” Ryan takes a huge bite of his sandwich.
    We stare at each other chewing our food. The air between us electrifies. Gone is the sun induced relaxed state. My stomach flips and I choke down my bite.
    His eyes burn into mine. I can’t tell what he’s thinking, but it feels like he’s trying to figure me out.
    “You like being outdoors.” He finally says, after swallowing.
    This takes me completely by surprise. “Yeah, I do. I’m an Arizona girl. What about you, you look pretty relaxed out here. Not so uptight,