Through the Dark

As Liam and I walk in the restaurant he has his hand on the small of my back. We wait to be seated and Liam spots Josh looking at us from across the room. I grin as Liam removes his hand from my back and instead entwines his fingers with mine and holds them close to him. I’m sure this is a message to Josh.
We are seated in a booth in the small, low lit restaurant. Liam scoots in close to me. He holds my hand under the table.
While we wait for our food I ask Liam about the writing he’s been doing. He tells me all
about it and even offers to share it with me when it’s ready. “So Lexi, what is your dream? What do you want to do?” Liam asks me.
“Well I was an English major in college. That’s kind of vague. I really love to write. Poems and stories. I want to write a book.”
Liam gets excited. “That’s amazing Lexi, you should do that.”
I smile. “Getting started is the hard part.”
Our food arrives then and the conversation shifts.
We are having a really fun evening till Josh disrupts it. He comes over to our table. “Alexis can I speak with you please?”
Liam speaks up. “Actually mate I think you should be explaining why you lied to me.”
Josh ignores him. “Alexis please.”
“Actually Josh, I’d also like to know why you lied to Liam?” I ask.
“Alexis, just for a moment please?” Josh pleads.
I look at Liam. “I’ll be right back.” Liam touches my arm. “Are you sure?” I nod my head.
I lead Josh to a corner that’s quiet, yet Liam can still see us.
“Alexis, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lied about us. I just really like you and I felt like this guy just got here and he was already stealing you from me.”
I sigh. “Thank you for the apology Josh, but I’m not yours to steal. You’re a nice guy Josh but I don’t feel that way about you. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to hurt you.”
Josh looks at the ground. “So you feel that way about him though?” He looks toward Liam.
“Yes.” I reply simply.
For a moment I think Josh is accepting this calmly. Then he shakes his head and clamps his hand on my shoulder loudly saying. “You have to give me a chance Alexis! I need you!”
Liam jumps up from the table and is by my side faster than seems possible. He looks squarely at Josh. “Take your hand off her now!” He orders him.
Josh looks at Liam, sees in his eyes that he’s not messing around and he lets go of me and steps back.
Liam turns to me. “Are you alright?”
“Yes. Will you take me home please?” I ask him.
“Of course, love.”
I walk to the table to get my purse, when I turn back I see Liam saying something to Josh. Then Liam walks purposefully towards me. He gently takes my hand. “Let’s go, beautiful.”
Out at his car, as he opens the door for me, Liam lightly touches my shoulder. “May I?” He asks. I shake my head yes.
He tenderly pulls my dress aside to see where Josh grabbed me. He doesn’t look happy with what he sees. “It’s very red. Does it hurt?”
“Just a little.” I reply.
Liam looks in my eyes with concern. Then he bends down and leaves several small sweet kisses on the area. My heart leaps.
Then he kisses me on the forehead before helping me in the car.

Notes