12. Josh
As I sit close to the counter, contemplating the upcoming wedding, a sudden thought strikes me: why not go on another date with Andrea to prepare? With a sense of excitement building within me, I quickly reach for my phone and dial her number.
The phone rings once, twice, before Andrea’s cheerful voice fills the line. “Hey, Josh! What’s up?” she answers, her tone warm and inviting.
“Hey, Andrea! I was thinking, since the wedding is coming up, maybe we could go on another date…to prepare?” I suggest, my voice filled with enthusiasm.
There’s a moment of silence on the other end of the line, and then Andrea’s voice comes through, filled with excitement. “That sounds like a great idea, Josh! I’m in,” she replies with anticipation.
A surge of relief washes over me at her enthusiastic response, and I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement building within me. “Awesome! I’ll pick you up after I get off work, okay,” I say, unable to contain the smile that spreads across my face.
“Sounds perfect. Oh, and by the way, Tanya and I will be coming in later for breakfast,” Andrea adds, her voice filled with warmth.
“Great! I can’t wait to see you both,” I reply, my heart filled with anticipation for the day ahead.
With a sense of satisfaction, I end the call and return to my work, a sense of excitement building within me at the thought of spending more alone time with Andrea.
Work is moving smoothly, the kitchen bustling with activity as orders fly in and out, and for a moment, I allow myself to bask in the satisfaction of a job well done. As I stand behind the counter of the bustling restaurant, I can’t help but feel a sense of pride wash over me.
But even as I revel in the success of the restaurant, there’s a nagging thought that refuses to be ignored. A dream that’s been brewing in the back of my mind for years, waiting for the right moment to come to fruition.
Opening my own restaurant.
The thought sends a thrill of excitement coursing through me, but it’s quickly overshadowed by a wave of doubt. What if no one likes my food? What if I fail?
I shake my head, trying to push aside the doubts that threaten to consume me. I have enough money saved up to make my dream a reality, and I can’t let fear hold me back.
But still, the doubts linger, like shadows in the corners of my mind, whispering their insidious lies.
I catch sight of Andrea and Tanya walking through the door, laughing as they walk toward their usual table. I can’t help but smile at the sight of them, feeling a surge of warmth in my chest at the thought of spending time with Andrea again.
“Hey, Josh!” Andrea calls out, her voice filled with excitement as I make my way over to them.
“Hey, Andrea! Tanya! It’s great to see you both,” I reply, unable to tear my gaze away from Andrea’s radiant smile.
As they settle into their seats, I can’t help but notice the undercurrent of tension in the air. It’s clear that something is weighing on Andrea’s mind, and I can’t help but feel a pang of concern for her.
“So, how are you two doing?” I ask, trying to lighten the mood with a playful smile.
Andrea hesitates for a moment, her gaze flickering towards Tanya before she replies, her voice tinged with uncertainty. “We’re doing okay, Josh. Just counting down the days until this wedding is over,” she says, her tone laced with frustration.
Tanya nods in agreement, her expression softening as she shoots me a reassuring smile. “I know it’s not easy dragging this relationship out, but you both seem to be managing,” she adds sympathetically.
I can sense the weight of their words hanging in the air, and I can’t help but feel a surge of guilt wash over me. I never intended for things to get this complicated, but now that we’re in this mess, I’m determined to see it through to the end.
“I’m sorry, guys. I know this whole situation is my fault, but I promise we’ll get through it together,” I say, my voice filled with sincerity.
Andrea offers me a small smile, her eyes shining with gratitude. “I know, Josh. Things can go back to normal once it’s over,” she replies, her voice seems reluctantly reassuring.
“Now, Tanya, you haven’t really had to do much…what exactly is stressing you out about the wedding?” Andrea chuckles as she looks at Tanya with a smirk.
“I help with a lot of advice…I mean that’s a big job isn’t it, Josh?” Tanya replies, in-between giggles.
“I guess so.” I try to remain neutral.
As we delve into a discussion about the upcoming event, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement building in the air. We’ve decided to ramp up our efforts to appear more believable as a couple, and I can’t wait to see how it all plays out.
“So, what’s the plan for the wedding?” Tanya asks, her voice filled with curiosity.
I grin, feeling a surge of enthusiasm coursing through me at the thought of our elaborate ruse. “We’re going to ramp up the PDA—holding hands, stealing glances, the whole nine yards. We’ve been going out by ourselves so that we can be more comfortable when it”s just the two of us,” I reply, unable to contain my excitement.
Andrea nods in agreement, a mischievous glint in her eye. “It’s been fun! But I can’t wait until we don’t have to keep up the charade.”
We continue to discuss our plans for the wedding. I can’t help but feel a sense of camaraderie strengthening between us. Despite the challenges we’ve faced, we’ve managed to come together as a team, united in our determination to pull off this elaborate charade.
But as the conversation wears on, I can’t shake the feeling that there’s something more between Andrea and me, something that goes beyond mere friendship. And as I steal glances at her across the table, I can’t help but wonder if she feels it too.
“So, what are you in the mood for, Tanya?” Andrea asks, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she pursues the menu.
Tanya considers her choices for a moment, her gaze flitting from one enticing option to the next. “I think I’ll go for something light and refreshing today,” she decides, her voice filled with enthusiasm.
“Maybe the fruit parfait with Greek yogurt and granola?” I recommend one of our morning specials.
Andrea nods in agreement, her own stomach rumbling in anticipation of the delicious meal.
“Sounds delicious! And for me, I think I’ll go all out and indulge in the breakfast platter,” she says with a grin. “Eggs, bacon, and hash browns.”
Tanya chuckles, delighted by Andrea’s enthusiasm. “You do love your food, Andrea. That breakfast platter sounds like the perfect way to start the day,” she remarks, her voice filled with admiration.
I continue serving other customers after turning in their breakfast order as their conversation flows effortlessly. I randomly hear tidbits of them touching on everything from Andrea’s coding projects to the details of the upcoming nuptials. The atmosphere in the dining area is warm and inviting, filled with the comforting hum of chatter and the clinking of cutlery.
When their food finally arrives, they both can’t help but dig in with gusto, savoring every delicious bite as they chat and laugh over their breakfast. The fresh aroma of Andrea’s hearty breakfast platter mingles with the sweet scent of Tanya’s fruit parfait, creating a mouthwatering symphony of flavors.
Between mouthfuls of food, they continue their lively conversation. And as they enjoy their meal together, I am amazed at the bond between us have only gotten stronger over the years.
“Thanks for coming, you guys. It was great to see you both this morning,” I say, my voice filled with genuine warmth.
Andrea offers me a warm smile, her eyes shining with gratitude. “Thanks for having us, Josh. It is always nice to take a break from all the coding madness,” she replies, her voice soft with appreciation.
And as I watch them disappear into the bustling streets outside, I can’t help but feel a surge of hope rising within me.
***
Andrea and I find ourselves preparing for one last wedding rehearsal. As we sit across from each other in a cozy café, sipping our drinks and discussing the upcoming event, I can’t help but feel a sense of nervous excitement bubbling up inside me.
“So, how are you feeling about this last-minute rehearsal?” Andrea asks, her voice soft with concern as she reaches across the table to squeeze my hand.
I smile, grateful for her unwavering support. “Nervous, to be honest,” I admit, my voice tinged with uncertainty. “But excited too. I can’t wait to see why they needed everything practice one last time.”
Andrea nods in understanding, her gaze warm and reassuring as she meets my eyes. “Your guess is as good as mine,” she says, her voice unsure.
Changing the subject, I find myself wanting to talk to her about some of my other thoughts and doubts, which linger like stubborn weeds refusing to be uprooted.
“I’ve been thinking about something lately,” I begin, my voice hesitant as I try to find the right words.
Andrea leans in closer, her eyes filled with curiosity. “What is it, Josh? You can tell me anything,” she says, her voice gentle and encouraging.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself for her reaction. “It’s just…I’ve been thinking about opening my own restaurant,” I confess, my voice wavers and makes my nervousness evident.
For a moment, there’s silence between us as Andrea processes my words, her expression thoughtful. And then, to my surprise, she breaks into a wide grin, her eyes shining with excitement.
“That’s amazing, Josh! I think that is a great idea!” she exclaims, her voice filled with genuine enthusiasm.
Her reaction catches me off guard, and for a moment, I’m at a loss for words. But then, as her words sink in, a sense of relief washes over me, replacing the doubts that had been gnawing at the edges of my mind.
“You really think so?” I ask, my voice filled with uncertainty.
Andrea nods eagerly, her smile unwavering. “Absolutely. You’re an incredible chef, Josh. I have no doubt that your own restaurant will be a huge success,” she replies, her voice filled with conviction.
Her words fill me with a sense of hope and possibility, driving away the last remnants of doubt from my mind. For the first time, I allow myself to believe that maybe my dream of opening a restaurant could become a reality.
“Thank you, Andrea,” I say, my voice filled with gratitude as I reach across the table to squeeze her hand. “You have no idea how much your confidence in me means to me.”
Andrea smiles, her gaze warm and reassuring as she meets my eyes. “Anytime, Josh. I’ll always be here to support you,” she says, her voice soft with sincerity.
As we discuss our plans for this impromptu rehearsal, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement at the thought of spending more time with Andrea.
“I was thinking we could practice some of the dance moves for the reception,” I suggest, my voice filled with enthusiasm.
Andrea nods in agreement, her eyes shining with excitement. “That sounds like fun! I can’t wait to see you strut your stuff on the dance floor,” she teases, a playful grin spreading across her lips.
Before long, our conversation is interrupted by the arrival of Jeremy and Melissa as they walk into the café hand in hand, looking every bit the picture-perfect couple. However, a familiar sense of unease settles in the pit of my stomach.
“Hey, Josh! Andrea! Fancy seeing you two here,” Jeremy says, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he approaches our table with a smug grin.
“Hi, Jeremy,” Andrea replies, her tone polite but guarded as she meets his gaze.
Jeremy’s fiancée, on the other hand, offers us a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with genuine warmth. “It’s so nice to see you both. How have you been?” she asks, her voice friendly and inviting.
Before I can respond, Jeremy interjects, his tone laced with arrogance. “We’ve been great, thanks for asking. Can’t say the same for you two, though. Still playing pretend, I see,” he says, his words dripping with disdain.
I feel a surge of anger rising within me at Jeremy’s snide remark, but before I can respond, Andrea steps in, her voice calm but firm. “Actually, Jeremy, we’re just enjoying a nice evening together. If you don’t mind, we’d appreciate it if you’d leave us alone,” she says, her tone polite but assertive.
Melissa shoots him a warning glance, clearly unimpressed by his behavior. “Come on, Jeremy. Let’s go find a table,” she says, her voice tinged with disappointment.
With a reluctant nod, Jeremy acquiesces, shooting us one last glare before they make their way to another table across the café. As they walk away, I can’t help but feel a sense of relief wash over me, grateful to be rid of Jeremy’s toxic presence.
“Jeremy can be such a jerk sometimes,” Andrea says, her voice filled with sympathy.
“He always has been. I’m proud of you for standing up for us,” I reply, with a smile on my face.
As we settle back into our conversation, I can’t help but feel a sense of closeness with Andrea, a shared understanding that transcends mere friendship. And as the evening wears on, I find myself growing more and more certain that there’s something truly special between us, something worth fighting for.
With a sense of determination, I reach out to take Andrea’s hand in mine, wanting to touch her. And as she squeezes my hand in return, a warm smile spreads across her face, filling me with a sense of hope for the future.
As the night draws to a close, I can’t help but feel a sense of gratitude for the time we’ve spent together. And as I walk Andrea home, I can’t help but find myself thankful that Jeremy invited the girls to the wedding, allowing Andrea and I to deepen our connection and strengthen our bond.
I find myself lingering in the moment, reluctant to let it end as we make our way back to my car. But eventually, the time comes to say goodbye, and I walk Andrea to her door.
“I enjoyed tonight,” I say, my voice filled with sincerity as I gaze into her eyes.
She smiles, her gaze warm and affectionate. “Me too, Josh. I had a great time,” she replies, her voice soft with sincerity.
With a sense of reluctance, I bid Andrea goodnight and then I make my way back to my car. A sense of lightness fills my chest as I drive home. Later, I lie in bed lost in thought, and I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement building within me.
With Andrea’s support, I feel more certain than ever that my dream of opening a restaurant can become a reality. And as I drift off to sleep, the doubts that once plagued me seem like nothing more than distant memories, replaced by a sense of hope and possibility for the future.