soul meets body

“Look at you, such a stud!” she teased as she took a sip from the drink. “You should’ve given her a chance. You never know, Andrew, maybe she was the one,” she added, the sound of her laughter dominated the overly quiet restaurant.  "It was great. I really can’t complain when I spend most of my day surrounded by animals.“ It was always a good day when they didn’t lose any patient. "I’ve been wanting to ask you,” she started, leaning forward. “Would you like to adopt a puppy? We just got the most gorgeous Saint Bernards puppies and one always looks at me and I swear his gaze tells me he’d like to be adopted by a hot doctor.”

Andrew looked at Ava, fighting the embarrassment. "Maybe she was, oh well, then I guess that's it for me," he said, pretending to feel defeated. "Ah yes, sometimes I do wonder why I decided to become a doctor of humans instead of animals." He matched her smile before mimicking her movement and leaning forward as if she was about to reveal a secret. Andrew couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head. "No, no, no, no," he repeated, leaning back in his seat. "That pretty smile of yours can't convince me, especially not with a Saint Bernard. Where the bloody hell am I supposed to keep it? They are insanely huge, my landlord— and any sane landlord in this city, may I say— would evict me."

“Well at least we can say these old ladies still know a thing or two about taste, right? You can’t be mad at them for trying. It’s what keeps them young at heart.” Sadie teased, immediately laughing at his reaction as she took a sip of her own drink before scrunching her face up at Andrew as she glanced in the direction he was gesturing towards. “Hey no– when I said I wish I had a story to tell I didn’t actually mean it like that. There’s no way in hell that I actually want to be someone’s sugar baby.” She shook her head at him with a slightly amused tone. “And by old he looks like he’s at least verging 80. Shouldn’t he be at a rest home playing bingo instead of here?”

"I am not mad at them, maybe a bit jealous that their game is better than mine but not mad." He couldn't help but chuckle at the entire situation, what else could he do? "Well, you could turn his last years into the best of his life. I mean, honestly, he'd be lucky to have someone like you but I understand how you might not consider yourself that lucky to be with him." He smiled at her before taking another sip of his drink. "Maybe, and I think bingo would be far more interesting than eating alone in a restaurant."

“If you like the texture of like… fried cheese, you’ll like it. I know you will,” Julian said with conviction. He made a mental note to get ingredients together so he could invite Andrew over next time the two had a little time off.

“Okay, whoa, backup here. I definitely wanna hear about you getting asked out by a grandma,” Julian said, giving a cheeky grin and leaning forward in his seat. “To be fair, they weren’t that old, but like… easily could’ve been my parents’ age,” he mused, wrinkling his nose and shaking his head. “I’ll try almost anything, so yeah, I probably would’ve. I try to keep business and pleaure strictly separate, though. I can’t imagine how awkward things would be if I would’ve taken them up on it and they would’ve continued to take the classes. The scandal!” he joked.

He gave Andrew a once over and shook his yead. “Andy, you’re young, you’re hot, there’s plenty of hope for you. I wouldn’t worry too much. Just keep your mind open and the universe will provide.”

"Comparing tofu to fried cheese seems extreme," he said with a chuckle. "You don't have to exaggerate, I'm going to eat it." He probably wouldn't die for eating tofu once and the worse that could happen was that Julian was right and he ended up liking it.

"Why would you? It's embarrassing and I'm trying to forget how it seems like I'm a magnet for grandmas." He winced at the idea. "That's a wise idea, never mix those two as it only brings trouble. At worst, the rest of the clients would start bringing their spouses and asking you all kind of indecent proposals," he joked.

"That seems too positive for me, but fine, I guess I'll be open for whatever the universe throws at me as long as she's not over fifty."

“So, you have a thing for cougars? Got it.” Cole nodded. “Yeah I don’t wish it for anyone. Oh, he did– and somehow I got blame because his wife was some supposed saint. I’m not sure how oblivious one person can really be.”

"Hey, hey! Now don't put words on my mouth. I don't have a thing for cougars but I can appreciate beauty," he made sure to quickly correct him because that's how rumors began. "I guess he is happier in his fantasy world, some people just don't like to see people for their true self. At least you dodged that bullet."

“Take her on a friend date and just tell her she has to take a shot every time she tries to touch your ass, or she has to buy you a shot. Either way I think someone wins there,” they suggested through a soft laugh. “The doctor in you is off the clock right now, but for your benefit I’ll get five point five hours.” Noel smirked, clear excitement in their eyes as they thought about the movie. “Well I won’t spoil it for you but it’s become a romantic drama of sorts. I wanted to make a film that was pretty representative of my own growing up and my life here in New York. Some may call it self indulgent but I think it’s an important story. It’s my love letter to all the queer kids of the world, especially the older queer folks who grew up in the times I did,” they explained, hands moving as they spoke. “Plus I may even go back home to shoot in Arizona which would be…a fucking trip and a half. You ever been to Arizona?”

"I still don't think I'd be winning in that situation," he laughed, wincing at the idea. "Thank you, if I was more greedy I would have asked seven hours." That was quite a hypocrite advice coming from him as he didn't sleep more than five hours a day, and he couldn't always blame it on horrible hospital shifts. "That sounds amazing! I think that's a great story that should be told and who better to do a film about it than you? I mean, you know I'm a self-declared fan of all your work." Andrew could see how excited they were about this project and he was more than glad to share it. "I haven't crossed Arizona from my list yet. What is there to do? You know, aside from seeing where the great Noel Pope grew up."

@andrewhanover

She’d noticed him from across the room. I mean, how could she not? That stupid smile of his was like a spotlight it shone so bright. And that was not some lovesick rambling, she’d like to point out, but merely a fact. The bloke just had a million watt smile. 

It was sort of infuriating, actually. Not that she had any right to begrudge him his happiness or his charm. It was just…irritating. In the kind of way that made her irrationally want to ruin his day. 

“Hello, Andrew,” she said as she approached, her tone light and airy. 

That Irish accent with that particular tone of voice could have changed anyone's demeanor especially when it sparked memories that were better left forgotten. Reluctantly, he turned to face her, trying to disguise the discomfort this encounter brought to him.

"Hello, Grace," he replied, somehow managing to offer her a small smile. "Isn't this a nice coincidence?" He tried his best to leave the sarcasm out of his tone.

He hated how stupidly beautiful she still looked, but he quickly tried to push that thought away. "How are you?"

Over the last couple of years Nadia had found multiple ways to politely turn down well to do clients of hers who attempted to set her up on blind dates. Despite the naive persona she put on at work the woman was far from stupid and knew most of them only insisted upon ‘finding her a good man’ in an effort to keep her interests away from their wealthy husbands. Ironically enough they hardly needed to try so hard since she would have rather been stuck on the A-Train for a hundred straight hours than become anyone’s other woman. Unfortunately for the popular Upper East Side nanny, Angelina Richards was a force to be reckoned with. The fifty year old woman rarely took no for an answer and much to no ones surprise the second she decided Nadia just had to meet the nice doctor from England, they were having dinner together just hours later. 

“Be honest with me,” the brunette trailed, casually leaning in forward as she attempted to keep her angelic features stoic. “Was that a power move? It’s our first date and you’re already playing mind games, Doc. Telling me about your other options. I don’t know if I should feel threatened or grateful that you choose to get dinner with me instead of her.” Nadia was only teasing of course, evident by the twitch of her lips upward as she toyed with the edge of her menu. 

He was almost thirty-three years old, and somehow, his mother's friends still set him up on blind dates. It was embarrassing, and he couldn't believe he had agreed to go on another one, especially considering how unsuccessful had been his last dates. Reluctantly, and mostly to avoid being bored to death with a lecture from his mother, he agreed to go out with the nanny of one of her friends. However, he made a promise to himself that this would be the last time he'd agreed to this as he had endured enough awkward silences for a lifetime. Andrew was not sure what to expect from his date, although he had made sure to imagine every worst-case scenario before coming here, yet he was surprised to find how beautiful she was. He had always thought that women avoided hiring beautiful nannies, especially those housewives, that always bothered him with botox related questions, living at the Upper East Side.

"Yes, that's exactly what I was trying to do," he jokingly admitted with a shrug. "I was trying to intimidate you by telling you how most of your competition are women over fifty," he said, the left corner of his mouth hitched with a grin. "I wouldn't blame you if you decide that's too much pressure, but I would recommend you to stay and at least try the desserts of this place. After all, I'm paying, so you should take advantage of that." A soft, teasing chuckle slipped out before he scanned the menu.

“Until the next big story breaks out then you’ll be old news.” He offered with a small laugh, in hopes to comfort the other. “–I tried to play the mediator.” Try being the key word here really. “I wish I could have left but there was a strict deadline. I really should have that as a requirement: no exes allowed.” A small hint of amusement being sketched on Landon’s face.

"Fingers crossed something interesting enough happens tomorrow," he laughed before wincing. "Mediator? Somehow that seems worse, and by the tone of your voice it seems like it didn't go well." Andrew nodded, he had witnessed several disagreements between couples in his life and if it was possible he'd be fine to ban exes from being in the same room. "You should add that to your contract. Did you at least finish the shoot?"

“It definitely didn’t consist of being hit on by a Grandma.” Cole shook his head at the other’s comment. But I did have a lady who was obviously married hit on me–with her husband right beside here. That was pretty intense.“

"In my defense, she was not that bad looking." Not sure how that comment would make him look any better. "That's one of those situations where I'd happily rather die than go through it. Did the husband notice?"

“Oh thank god,” Joaquin breathed out, a grateful smile spreading across his lips before he laughed. “You probably aren’t wrong there. If I can be honest this is our first time really out of the house since this one has come home,” he admitted as he glanced down at his daughter resting on his chest as if he hadn’t almost lost his phone to the garbage gods. “Oh no, I’m not worried about that. Hector would riot before that happened,” he joked and held out the leash towards the other man. “If you don’t mind, we’re only going a few blocks. The least I can do is buy you a coffee or something since I obviously have to replace mine.”

Andrew smiled when he saw the baby girl sleeping peacefully. "Ah that explains all this," he said with a chuckle. "I'm sure you'll be able to handle everything, you just need more practice." Not like he knew what he was talking about as he didn't have a child or even a dog, and he could barely take care of himself. "Maybe I'd consider it if my landlord allowed pets, but I guess until I find a new place I won't steal him," he joked as he took the leash. "Sure, no problem and I could never reject coffee, so I think that way we'd be even."

“That is one hell of a pickup line. You should have at least given her a date based on how genius that line was.” Seth was almost in awe. He needed to find this woman and take some notes. “Not nearly as entertaining.”

"I would have considered if she wasn't married, I'm pretty sure the third husband was waiting outside," he chuckled, shaking his head at the idea of going out with her. "Oh come on! I find that hard to believe."

          Thea chuckled at his little story, amused with the fact an older lady hit on him and used a clever pick up line, “I can’t say I have ever gotten asked such a pick up line in my life, see…and to think that once upon a time you didn’t know what Tinder was actually meant for.”

"Something tells me that she has dropped that line more than once," he laughed before rolling his eyes at the mention of that dating app. "I thought it was like Facebook, to make friends but just highly selective. Either way, I'm done with those apps and I'll just wait for someone a bit closer to my age hits on me while I check their tonsils.""Something tells me that she has dropped that line more than once," he laughed before rolling his eyes at the mention of that dating app. "I thought it was like Facebook, to make friends but just highly selective. Either way, I'm done with those apps and I'll just wait for someone a bit closer to my age hits on me while I check their tonsils."

“Gross– she sounds like a cougar or a sugar mama looking to sink her claws into her next prey and by that I mean you. Have you always been a hit with old ladies?” A smirk made its way across Sadie’s features as she nodded in amusement whilst sipping on her glass of wine all whilst trying to hold back a laugh at Andrew’s story. “Let’s just say that I wish I had a story as thrilling and exciting as that one to tell you but I really don’t. No cougars or lions trying to pounce on me like you.”

His expression dulled as he thought about her question. "You know, it has happened a few more times." He let out a chuckle before covering his face with his hands. "Maybe I have this magnetic situation that only attracts older ladies. Thanks for making me realize this, now I'll finish this drink and try to erase the memory of all the 'cougars' that have tried to ask me out," he joked. "Don't worry, that can be easily fixed. I'm sure we can find one right here." His eyes scanned the restaurant. "What about that one there? He seemed well, old and rich," he laughed, gesturing toward said man.

“Well, you’ll have to come over, then. I’ve got an amazing Asian garlic tofu recipe. Very flavorful, and you can’t even tell it’s tofu,” he mused.  “But definitely not in burger form.”

Julian laughed and wiggled his brows. “Depends on what kind of fluids we’re talking about,” he joked. “Kidding! I don’t wanna hear about blood and guts. Gross.” He wrinkled his nose a little and laughed. “Well, I got asked out by an older couple of swingers two days ago. I should’ve known they were up to something when they signed up to like every single one of my classes. I haven’t seen them since I turned them down, even though I’m not gonna lie, I was curious about the whole thing for a minute.”

Andrew winced, he had never enjoyed tofu and he still didn't believe that could be changed. "Okay, I can give it a chance," he reluctantly accepted the offer, but still smiled at him.

He wrinkled his nose, shaking his head. "Not the kind you'd like to hear about," he assured him before his story rendered him speechless. "That is definitely way more interesting than being asked out by an old lady." He let out a chuckle. "If it hadn't been an older couple, would you have done it? Anyway, good for all the old people whose romantic and sexual life are more interesting than mine. There's still hope." He shrugged and laughed.

            “—If I were you, I’d be more offended that you reminded her of someone she knew. Talk about looking ordinary, right?” She teased, displaying a cheeky grin along with a playful laugh. “Anyway, definitely not as eventful as yours. A customer called me a ‘sorry excuse for a Chinese woman’ –IN Chinese… so, there’s that.”

“Oh wow, well that’s probably gonna be remembered for awhile. I just hope you don’t have any co workers that you told. You might not be able to live that one down.” He mused, pursing his lips. “Definitely not as interesting as yours I’m sure. But the other day I did have two models I had to shoot and well I guess they had just broken up—which made for a little awkward to say the least.” Or more like making Landon feel like he was caught in the middle. Yikes.

"Well, a nurse was there when it happened, so I'm pretty sure she has made sure to tell the whole hospital. But I'll survive." He chuckled before he took a swig of the drink. "How did you handle the awkwardness? Did they have a fight while you were shooting?" When faced with confrontation, his mind told him to avoid the situation at all costs. Flee it is.

“Are you talking about Mrs. Briggs? Because I can tell you, that lady has no shame, but so much game for an eighty three year old. I saw her trying to flirt with Mathers the other morning, which is what he gets for bailing on helping me changing catheters.” Emma smiled, shaking her own head as well. “Oh, it was fine. Nothing too major. Just a child with a mild case of the chicken pox and not surprisingly, two patients with bad cases of food poisoning.” 

Andrew took his hand and placed it on his hard, pretending to be offended. "And here I was thinking we had something special, but I guess I was wrong. Also, Mathers? Come on! I am better looking than him," he said with a chuckle before wincing. "I don't blame him for bailing on you. Changing catheters is not something I'd like to do either." Andrew smiled at her, nodding as she talked about her day. "Did you ask them where they had eaten? You know, just to avoid that place next time I eat out."