#dave armstrong

Collins

Dave Armstrong

Dave Armstrong

She was on her phone, nibbling on a muffin. All he saw was dark auburn hair with whisps falling out of a ponytail and a smile.

Dave got his coffee and went about his day. He hoped she had a good one too.

.

The second time they didn't meet, Birdie hoped her spot was free.

It wasn't exactly her spot; the rooftop was open to anyone at Ellsworth. But that was her favorite spot. It wasn't overly sunny, under the pergola, not too close to the fragrant plants. It was comfortable and relaxing, like Ellsworth the First had meant it to be.

As Birdie settled on her spot, she saw him. Asleep on a lounge chair, one leg stretched in front of him, the other to the side, more like he'd collapsed than sat back. He was in his dark gray tactical suit, no mask, face fallen to the side and his hair looked like the combo of cowl carelessly pulled off and sleep.

She smiled at the scene. Birdie was used to seeing them frustrated and annoyed at physical vulnerability, but this was of a different kind. And, frankly, it was endearing.

She moved her eyes back to the book in her hands, flipping the pages to the beginning of chapter one. Ed's recommendations were spot on.

.

The first time they did meet was exactly the way Dave hoped it wouldn't happen.

Em was back in town. Despite the amount of traveling she was required, his sister insisted that she lived in Harrington and, of course, not with their parents because, to be honest, they were their own brand of crazy. In the best way possible, but still.

So Dave was balancing the five cups of coffee his mom had asked him for and his phone between his shoulder and his ear.

"No. Absolutely not!" he told Em "Of course I care about what my... our place looks like, but you can't touch anything while I'm not there. ...Because tests are documents and I don't really care how it looks on your videos. Shoot outside, we have a balcony. ...Fine, a fire escape. Call it whatever you want, but do not touch those papers. I have a system. ...It's paper, of course it looks like a mess! Em, please, just..." Dave collided with another body, coffee cups tumbling down, but he grabbed his phone "I'll call you later." he hung up and shoved it into his pocket "I'm so sorry. Are you okay?" Dave extended a hand to help her up.

"Are you okay?" she grabbed her phone, took his hand and pointedly looked at the coffee stains on his t-shirt and jeans.

"Don't worry about this. Are you hurt?"

She shook her head, "What do they call you? Brick wall?"

"Titan."

She looked him up and down with a small nod, "Suits you."

"I'm really sorry."

"I'm sorry about your coffee." she offered.

"Yeah, well... My sister definitely owes me after this." he looked down at his clothes with a small chuckle "I'm Dave." he extended a hand.

"Birdie." she shook it "Can I give you a hand with the coffee delivery? It's the least I can do."

"The least you can do? I knocked you over."

"Don't text and walk." Birdie half shrugged with a smile.

"Don't argue with sisters when carrying coffee." he returned.

"Call it even?" Birdie offered with a smile.