One step at a time

The two days I spent with Ethan were wonderful, almost surreal, I had never experienced being so spoiled. Sometimes, when the, he was there with those big eyes staring at me with such admiration and affection that it was palpable. He was all the time affectionate to Nicholas, almost like a father. Those who didn't know about our history might even think that Nicholas was his; their looks often confused me, they had the same smile and sparkle in their eyes.

- Can I come get you, baby? - he said, caressing my lips with his finger. I closed my eyes as I felt his touch.

- I'd love to. - I smiled slyly.

- What time do you leave?

- At five. Today I'm just covering for a friend, I won't even be in the kitchen.

- I'll be here," he said and kissed me softly on the lips. Colle interrupted the kiss, and when I opened my eyes, I watched his gaze, once passionate, turn dark. He was looking at something behind me. When I turned from the passenger seat to look, Will was waiting for me in front of the cafeteria.

- It's okay," I told him. - I really need to talk to him. - I smiled.

I watched Colle reluctantly, but eventually he gave in.

- Okay, baby. Call me if you need anything, and I'll be here before you know it.

I got out of the car and walked over to Will, who had not noticed my presence.

- Hello, boss," he said smiling.

- Hello," I greeted him normally.

We entered the cafeteria and I walked over to the inside of the counter.

- I came by today to pick you up, but you had already left.

- I ended up leaving a little early today.

He smiled and handed me a note of money. - Just a cup of coffee == he

he said.

When I went to take the money, I noticed something I hadn't noticed before; his blazer was identical to the one I had smelled that day. My posture immediately stiffened, and I felt as if things really fit together. Will, however, would not sleep with Caroline; he hated her as much as I did. He let out a soft huff.

- Is everything okay, Nicole?

- Everything's fine... I mean... I know this question doesn't make much sense, but where were you Saturday afternoon?

- I was out of town," he said naturally. - I had to buy some personal things and gave myself the afternoon off, why?

How silly of me to suspect Will.

- Nothing, sorry for the intrusion. - I smiled.

- I'm sorry I wasn't with you. I was exhausted.

- It's okay, I've been busy too.

- Maybe we can reschedule? - He winked.

I kept the smile to myself, since I knew that we would never go out. Now I was with Colle, who I always wanted to be with.

- Hey," he said. - You look upset, is that okay?

I nodded, took the money, and turned to beat the cashier. I heard him comment to me over his shoulder.

- I still told Ben that I didn't want to be late, but we ended up stopping at a bar and drinking.

I turned around abruptly and asked in a suspicious tone.

- Were you with Ben?

- Yes," he said.

- What time did you leave?

- We left at five in the afternoon and arrived a little after ten," he answered passively, but I could hear the fearful tone in his voice.

- That's funny," I told him. - Colle claimed to be with Ben all day. But you know what, I think I'd better call him to confirm, I'd hate it if he was lying to me," I said sarcastically.

At that moment, I stared into his eyes, as I reached into my uniform pocket for my cell phone.

He put his hand on my arm, as if to prevent me from reaching for it. It was not a sudden movement, but I was surprised.

I looked at him strangely. It wouldn't be good.

- I just stayed home," he said, as I put the cell phone back in my pocket.

- At home?

- Yes.

- Alone?

He shut up. And the pieces in my head came together.

Oh, my God.

- Will," I said slowly, wanting to observe his reaction. - On Saturday afternoon I went to Colle's house. The door was open, I walked to the kitchen.

I stopped talking when I looked at him and noticed that his posture was rigid, his face pale, his eyes wide. I didn't even have to continue.

Goodness gracious.

- Don't tell me that was you with Caroline? Tell me that you weren't with

with her.

I saw him shake his head to the side in the negative.

- I'm sorry, Nicole, I don't know what came over me," he said.

- Holy crap! - I withdrew my hand, which was still resting innocently on his. - Will, what were you thinking? It's Caroline! Do you remember? - I wiped my hand across my face.

I was upset, not because he'd slept with her, but because it was Caroline. A few days earlier she had humiliated me at the table. And he hadn't liked it one bit. I had no feelings for Will, and yet I didn't like the idea of seeing him, or knowing that it was him with Caroline.

- Look, all right," I said abruptly. I went over to the French press and poured him a cup of coffee. - It's on the house, just go. I need to think," I said, turning around. - I thought you hated Caroline.

- I do! - he said loudly, causing a few people in the doorway to startle. - I'm sorry," I said. I told you, I don't know what happened, and the next thing I knew, I was already with her. It will never happen again.

- I really don't care, I'm not with you, I just thought you had a little dignity in you. Have you forgotten who she is? We are friends, Will, you have been my friend all these years, I expected more than this from you. She didn't even call for you, she called for Colle.

I immediately regretted what I said, it was cruel of me, and it was something I was not used to being. But it was there. I had already said it. He looked at me with surprised eyes, I had never seen such an abrupt reaction on my part.

- I am sorry.

- Don't be, you're right. I shouldn't be.

There was a murmur behind him and I realized that the line was growing.

- I'm sorry, I have to take this," I told him.

- It's okay. - He took his coffee and left.

I spent the rest of the day just serving the coffee and the counter. My heart was squeezed by the way I had treated Will; what he did with his life was not my problem.

In the late afternoon, a tall man came in with a large bouquet of roses so large they covered his face, and in his hands, a bag from an expensive chocolate store. He put them down, leaving them on the counter. The customers looked on delighted.

Oh, no.

- Will? - I said in surprise, when the roses finally revealed their

his face.

He approached me and began to speak.

- I'm sorry, I know there aren't enough excuses, and I don't know what else to say to you. Just let me show you. - He held the back of my neck as if he were going to kiss me. I pulled away quickly.

- What are you doing? - I asked in a whisper.

He looked at me as if he didn't understand.

- Well, I thought, since this morning you didn't like me and Caroline. -He looked nervous; he was blushing. The few customers were paying attention.

My hands began to shake, and a thin layer of sweat covered them and I felt my eyes filling with water. Poor Will. It was my fault, I shouldn't have said anything to make him misunderstand. I should have explained it to him properly, and I shouldn't have let him get his hopes up.

- I don't know what this means, but you...V-you got it wrong," I said quietly. - I'm sorry.

He looked at me seriously.

- What is going on here?

I looked back and Colle was there. He walked past Will and stopped in front of me.

in front of me.

- Hey baby," he said softly and kissed my lips. Then he walked over to Will.

- I think I can take this here," Ethan said, trying to take the bouquet from Will's hand.

Will resisted, and then stepped over and left the flowers beside me on the counter.

- I'm sorry, Will," I said again.

- Oh, please don't be, Nicole. - I sensed bitterness in his voice. He turned away, already near the door, and spoke. - I knew this would happen. I just didn't think it would happen so fast. I was here when everyone else left, you should have at least thought of that before you threw yourself into his arms.

The next scene I couldn't have predicted. Ethan hit Will in the jaw so hard that I could hear him snapping. They rolled on the floor, fighting. I didn't know what to say or do.

- Please stop! - I finally yelled. - Will, Colle, please. Will, Colle, please. - They were still fighting, they looked deaf. After a few seconds, Ben came through the door, and after much trying, managed to separate the two.

Ethan got up first with a bloody nose. Will later, a bruise appearing on his jaw. Will spat out a ball of blood, walked over to me and picked up the bouquet and chocolates, tossing them in the trash can next to me.

- Better get your letter of resignation, William! - Colle shouted, wiping his nose.

- So be it! You little shit! - Will spat in Colle's direction. - You need to know what you're getting into, Nicole! You think you know him! Don't say I didn't warn you! In fact, don't say anything else! I won't be here anymore! - He walked past, almost knocking the door down.

Then Colle came closer and whispered

- I'm sorry, baby. - He looked sorry. - This shouldn't have

happen and it will definitely never happen again.