Waves Of Passion

“Would you relax a little? You look like you just saw a ghost,” Celia said as she brought her a drink.

Eliza looked at the glass and shrugged.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“A fuzzy navel. To loosen you up.”

“A what?” Eliza asked raising an eyebrow.

“A peach schnapps and orange juice cocktail,” Celia pointed out, a little surprised that Eliza didn’t know what she was talking about. “How is it that you work in a bar and you don’t know what a fuzzy navel is?”

Eliza sighed.

“I know what it is…of course I know what it is. I’m just…I think this was a mistake. A really, really big mistake.”

Celia sat down and looked at her.

“No. You are moving on and that is a great idea.”

“No I am having a drink with someone I have been crushing on for ages. That is most definitely not moving on.”

“Well, you better get it together, Eliza. Or I will keep them coming and we both know that you are a little blabber mouth when you get a few drinks in you.”

Eliza rolled her eyes at her.

“Don’t you even dare,” she said.

“Have you even had something to eat today?” Celia asked and Eliza shrugged.

“You know I can hardly keep anything down when I am nervous.”

“Hi,” she suddenly heard Justin’s voice. She looked up and smiled as she saw Justin standing next to Celia.

“Hi…Justin you remember Celia from the other night.”

“Of course,” he said as he smiled at Celia. “Nice to see you again.”

“Nice to have you here even though today I am one waitress cum bartender short,” she said and he laughed.

“I promise to tip generously to make it up.”

“That will be much appreciated,” Celia said as she stood up. “What can I get you?” 

“I’ll just have a beer, thanks.”

“Coming right up. And I will bring you some fries or a burger? Eliza?” Celia asked as Justin sat down.

“Fries will do. Thank you.”

She looked at Justin and suddenly felt better about her jean shorts and sleeveless white top. He was in a pair of cargo shorts and one of his signature T-shirts. His hair was hanging loosely but she could tell that it had been freshly combed.

“I’m sorry. I had a hectic day and didn’t get a chance to get a bite,” she said, explaining her fries.

“No worries. Maybe you can share a little of your fries.”

“Sure,” she said. “That sounds great.”

It seemed like forever before Celia came back with her fries and his beer. And Justin looked a little too relaxed. He was just sitting back, looking at her. It was almost as if he was waiting for her to feel comfortable before he finally began a conversation. But as soon as she was done with the first cocktail, she realized that she had nothing to lose. After all, he was already here. And not at her request. He had asked her out and not the other way round.

“You know,” she found herself saying. “I have been following your career for a while now.”

“Oh really?” he asked.

“Yeah. From the way you started out doing minor league competitions to the day you met Christina DeLuca in Hawaii…the whole nine yards.”

“Wow, not many people know that I used to do minor leagues around the country,” he said. “Not even some of my die hard fans.”’

“Well, I do. And I also know that you love Korean noodles and Indian food. And that before a big day of surfing you always have a sausage and omelet breakfast.” She paused and took a sip of her drink. “I’m sorry if I am freaking you out. I just really enjoy watching you doing what you love. I know it sounds stupid…”

He shook his head.

“Not at all. It sounds really good listening to someone talk about me,” he said and she laughed. “I hope I don’t sound like a complete asshole or anything.”

She bit into a French fry and shook her head. “Not in the very least. I mean you are an everyday guy that suddenly went big. It’s only normal to like the sound of your praises on another person’s lips.”

She noticed the way he was smiling and she felt herself blush for the millionth time that evening.

“I’m talking too much aren’t I?” she asked and he shook his head.

“I wouldn’t say so. Besides, I like watching you talk…the sound of your voice is…comforting,” he said.

“You are the first person who has ever said that,” she said in a soft voice. He looked at her and shook his head, smirking his lips.

“You have been hanging out with the wrong people,” he said as he reached for a French fry from her plate. Eliza pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and looked at him. “What about you? What do I need to know about you?”

“There isn’t much to know about me. I’m a little cliché actually.”

“Really?” he asked. “I don’t think so.”

“I like reading, Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite books…and I love long walks on the beach…see where I am going with this?” she asked and he nodded.

“Well, it does not really matter because for the first time, I think I really believe those words.”

“Heard them before, huh? I told you already. Boring old cliché.”

“It is only a boring old cliché if someone says it and doesn’t mean it.”

“So saying that I love furry creatures will not really do much in pleading my case?” she asked and he shook his head.

“Actually, I am a furry creature lover myself.”

“Really?” she asked. “Dogs or cats?”

“Both. I like walking dogs and I like how cats chase after things. You?” he asked and she shrugged.

“I think I am just like you.”

He leaned in and looked deep into her eyes. He was not talking, just looking so deep in her eyes that she felt like he was trying to look into her soul.

“What?” she asked.

“I would like to see you again. Take you for dinner this time around.”

“Maybe do drinks one more time and see how it goes?” she asked and he sighed.

“Was I that bad?” he asked and she shook her head.

“No…I mean, that’s not…okay, let’s do this over. I am still learning the ropes at Wave Tide and the whole juggling two jobs thing.”

“Oh, good. I thought that I had somehow under delivered.”

She smiled. She wanted to tell him that there was no way he could ever do that but she was at a loss for words.

“Drinks then,” he said and she nodded.

“Drinks.”