exact

“Um..thanks? Nice to meet you, Wade. I’m Abby. I will be your most loyal customer if you actually pursue your meatball plan. I will love you..er, your store..forever if you do so.”

“Well, luckily for you the plan is to follow through with the meatballs. I’m excited for you to try ‘em out.”

“As a lover of meatballs, I say go for it. A la carte, in pasta, or in whatever dish it’s in, I’ll definitely be ordering it.”

“I will be rather grateful if you do. You are gorgeous by the way. I’m Wade.”

03: Do you regret anything?

“I live with no regrets. And I mean that.”

14: Do you miss someone?

“Considering I already answered this, don’t really know if much as changed.”

27: Have you ever broken someone's heart?

“I haven’t broken anyone's heart that hasn’t broken mine first.”

34: Who/what was your last dream about?

“It’s funny. My last dream was about me and my future family but my wife had like a pixelated face because I can’t tell the future and everything but yeah. I had two beautiful pixelated children, too.”

56: How many people have you fist fought?

“Just one.”

05: What is your relationship status?

“Uh, single. Unless somebody is dating me and hasn’t told me?”

08: Played any sports?

“Football and hockey, recreationally.”

11: Do you like someone?

“I like a lot of people.”

14: Do you miss someone?

“I miss a lot of people.”

17: Ever made out in the bathroom?

“No, but I have a bathroom so if anybody wants to, let me know.”

25: Do you miss anyone from your past?

“Of course I do. I miss a lot of people.”

33: Do you have trust issues?

“To some extent, sure. But in general, I tend to trust until they give me a reason not to trust them.”

58: Favourite weather?

“The end of summer and the beginning of fall time. That is the best.”

62: What makes you happy?

“My dog. Definitely my dog.”

01: Do you have a good relationship with your parents?

02: Who did you last say “I love you” to?

03: Do you regret anything?

04: Are you insecure?

05: What is your relationship status?

06: How do you want to die?

07: What did you last eat?

08: Played any sports?

09: Do you bite your nails?

10: When was your last physical fight?

11: Do you like someone?

12: Have you ever stayed up 48 hours?

13: Do you hate anyone at the moment?

14: Do you miss someone?

15: Have any pets?

16: How exactly are you feeling at the moment?

17: Ever made out in the bathroom?

18: Are you scared of spiders?

19: Would you go back in time if you were given the chance?

20: Where was the last place you snogged someone?

21: What are your plans for this weekend?

22: Do you want to have kids? How many?

23: Do you have piercings? How many?

24: What is/are/were your best subject(s)?

25: Do you miss anyone from your past?

26: What are you craving right now?

27: Have you ever broken someone’s heart?

28: Have you ever been cheated on?

29: Have you made a boyfriend/girlfriend cry?

30: What’s irritating you right now?

31: Does somebody love you?

32: What is your favourite color?

33: Do you have trust issues?

34: Who/what was your last dream about?

35: Who was the last person you cried in front of?

36: Do you give out second chances too easily?

37: Is it easier to forgive or forget?

38: Is this year the best year of your life?

39: How old were you when you had your first kiss?

40: Have you ever walked outside completely naked?

51: Favourite food?

52: Do you believe everything happens for a reason?

53: What is the last thing you did before you went to bed last night?

54: Is cheating ever okay?

55: Are you mean?

56: How many people have you fist fought?

57: Do you believe in true love?

58: Favourite weather?

59: Do you like the snow?

60: Do you wanna get married?

61: Is it cute when a boy/girl calls you baby?

62: What makes you happy?

63: Would you change your name?

64: Would it be hard to kiss the last person you kissed?

65: Your best friend of the opposite sex likes you, what do you do?

66: Do you have a friend of the opposite sex who you can act your complete self around?

67: Who was the last person of the opposite sex you talked to?

68: Who’s the last person you had a deep conversation with?

69: Do you believe in soulmates?

Wade’s sigh sent a ripple of annoyance through her, like all this time he was still disappointed in her for using. As if he had any right to care about her still, when he made it quite clear that he didn’t care at all when he left her. She watched him handle the tray, trying not to admit to herself that the meatballs did in fact smell quite delicious. But she wasn’t about to compliment his work. Briefly, she was amused with his awkward way until she spoke. “I didn’t realize the end of our relationship meant I was banned from this shop,” she pointed out, skirting around the question in her usual fashion. 

He could feel himself wanting to so desperately roll his eyes. She was annoying and he didn’t have time to be dealing with all of that today. He simply carried on to his work, organizing his pastries and mugs until she answered the question he had asked. “I mean, no. You’re not banned, I’d never do that to you. But I did tell you not to come back unless things have changed.” His tone remained calm and cool, as surprisingly as that was to him. “And have they?” he asked, looking up to catch her gaze once more. He knew she hadn’t quit. He had conversations with other dealers and if she thought he wasn’t gonna ask around then she was wrong. “I care about you, Danielle,” he spat in a hushed tone, bringing his hands on to the counter and leaning towards her. “How do you suggest I stop?” He didn’t know where the outburst of emotion had come from. Maybe from her being withing 5 feet of him again, he felt something and he just couldn’t keep a cap on it. Maybe because he was just pissed she hadn’t stopped. But there was no denying he could feel his pulse rushing behind his ears as he stared at her. She was as beautiful as ever. And for him? She always would be.

“Go for it, my vegan buddies at greenpeace were getting bored.”

“Hey, I still got vegan options. Never claimed to be an all vegan storefront!” he laughed, wiping down the counter.

      Her name in exchange for the book? Despite her eyes instinctively narrowing and her lips pressing into a contemplative little frown, Nora acquiesced.  ❝Eleanor, but I prefer Nora.❞ Not that it mattered, as she imagined the chances of running into this stranger again would be slim to none. Either way, suspicion was replaced with an easy smile. ❝And your name?❞ That was the polite thing to ask, wasn’t it? Whatever the case, she let her attention slide to the spine of the book he had been reaching for, ❝Oh! It’s the one on the left, by the way – - the book. If you don’t mind.❞

“Alrighty then, Nora,” he grinned, turning to reach the book for her with ease. He handed it to her before leaning up against the shelf and sighing. “My name is Wade. It’s awesome to have met you.” He loved meeting new people, especially outside of his shop. It’s good to remember there is more to the world than the same four walls you see every day.

“Savannah,” She answered, grin etched securely into her face now as well. “If you’re thinking of naming these after me, I’m super flattered but I don’t think that’s gonna sell.”

“Damn, Savannah, you caught me. I was gonna say, ‘Savannah’s Balls’ have a nice ring to it, but if you’re sure they won’t sell, maybe I’ll name somethin’ else after you,” he presented, honestly glad to have made a new friend.

        “I… dunno. Meatballs are usually add-ons or sandwich fillers.” Cara shot a bewildered look at no one in particular, puzzled that she landed herself in this conversation but seeing no reason to discontinue her line of inquiry, “But really. Were you ready to just present a steaming plate of meatballs?”

The brunette nodded, she hasn’t been really home in years so she understood wanting to go back home but had yet to enjoy actually getting back. “I live in Seattle because I wasn’t given much a choic” she spilled honestly, she wasn’t one to hide the fact that she basically moved to Seattle against her will. A small smile spread across her face, “I might not like coffee but I’m a fan a chai tea. Some people have alcohol, others have coffee, my thing is Chai tea. I’m also a fan of flakey deserts and coffee shops are the only places that serve both. Your shop just happened to be in the neighborhood when I was craving both.”

He smiled and grabbed a tea cup from the top shelf. “So, I could assume I should make you some chai tea then? And which flaky pastry has caught your eye?” he wondered, preparing the tea press. He felt bad that she had been moved here against her will, but a part of him didn’t really understand that. How could somebody force someone to move somewhere? “Where’s home then?”

She thought to herself for a moment, trying to figure out if he was serious or joking. It wasn’t exactly the first time that Summer had been asked out, but she had never met someone so forward. It was almost refreshing. “I mean, I’m not one to turn down food, but… do you really want to go out with some girl you don’t know?”

He decided to play it cool since she hadn’t exactly said yes. “Woah, woah,” he smirked in an overdramatic fashion, “who said this was me asking you out?” He was enjoying this. She was pretty hot and seemingly intelligent so hopefully she got his joke. “I mean, are you asking me out then? ‘Cause I just suggested we eat food that I pay for. But if you want it to be a date?” he mused, leaning back against the prep counter.

The fact of the matter was he didn’t say anything wrong. He was asking all the right questions but she probably wouldn’t answer them with completely honest answers. “I’m not a book to be written.” She glared, crossing her arms after she set her coffee down on the table between them. “You’re old.” Janell stated, simply and quickly. Older than her brother by one year. That thought just made her want to make fun of him. Natural instinct or something. She watched as the other made his way back to work but only momentarily before he shut off the sign, claiming the place closed. She raised a brow, wondering if he was actually allowed to do that. It was broad daylight and even if the place was slow, there was no reason for it. He could talk and work. Instead of saying anything, she kept her internal dialogue to herself. At his question, Janell smiled to herself. “I’ve been a kid for way too long. Don’t we all need a little responsibility mixed with our chaos?” 

He could tell that she didn’t really understand why he had closed the shop. The truth was, he owned the place. And everybody knew, well, those involved knew, that the storefront was a distraction from the real underground work. He didn’t exactly want to explain that to her just yet because it may just scare her away. Though she didn’t seem too afraid of anything. “I never claimed to have been writing a book, nor did I claim it would be about you if I were to write one,” he mused, leaning back into the chair. “And, I’m not that old. You look like you’re 24,” he scoffed, knowing his age was not an old one. His brows furrowed together as she explained her need for responsibility and although he understood the need, he didn’t get why she was searching for it now. “You’re not from here, right? You’re just here now?”

“Simply can’t back down from the truth, now can I?” He wasn’t one for handshakes but if the hand was there, there was no reason not to be the slightest bit polite. Shaking Wade’s hand, he gave him a nod. “Nate. I’m not actually giving you fifty dollars, by the way. Merely a ploy.”

He laughed and gave the guy a smile, “I figured. What brings you to Seattle? You got this whole punk hair thing going, but I’m gonna assume it’s not just for the aesthetic.” Oh Wade, always trying to find users. It’s kind of twisted, and he knows that. But money is money and success is defined by the successful.