Page 7 of See You Soon

"Danny is?" My mom is smiling at me, lifting one eyebrow at me.

"Umm..." I start not knowing how to finish my sentence. I don’t know what to say. I had just met the man.

"We're friends." Danny chimes in for me.

Oh?

"Oh my gosh, really? Your friends with Ari?" My mom gushes, excited. I roll my eyes with a small smile.

Yes, Mom, I have friends, it's not that hard to believe.

My mom still lives in a harsh mentality that I can't be friends with the opposite sex without it being more than that.

"Well, ma’am we just met," Danny answers. That same deep voice makes my cheeks burn. I'm so attracted to his voice, it's so captivating.

"Oh really, where?" My mom asks, looking at me suspiciously. I panic. I don't want her to know the details of how we met. My mom’s very strict and conservative. She's against drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, parties, tattoos, etc. All my life, she's tried to the best of her abilities to inflict those views onto me.

"Alright Mom, I think it's time for us to go. The groceries are in the car and the storm is about to roll in, we need to prepare for the hurricane." I begin to usher my mom out of the coffee shop, walking past Danny. My mom makes it out through the doors first but my hand is on the doorknob, about to close it. The sound of rain is instantly louder as I walk outside.

"Ari."

I turn my head back to Danny. I never texted him back after our short exchange of text messages. I didn't want this to go anywhere if it was.

"Yes?"

"I'm leaving on deployment soon. I was supposed to leave today but the hurricane delayed our departure so I'm leaving right after the weather is right again. I want to take you on a date. And since you're not answering any of my texts, I guess I'll just have to corner you until I get the answer I want." He smirks.

I hesitate to answer.

Lord, how badly I just want to scream yes at him.

But I was damaged. Damaged by my ex-boyfriend and the recent grief that drowns me every day. I didn't know if starting a possible relationship or even a friendship, was the right move for me.

"I—"

"Of course, she can go on that date. She's free! Mija, I can drive myself home, you go with him. Okay?" My mother quickly cuts in and I'm in shock at her persistence.

A minute ago, she was questioning my virtue and now she's pushing me to go with a man she doesn't know very well.

"Mom, but—"

"Okay see you later, love you mija." She quickly turns around and leaves, forcing me to stay with Danny. I'm glaring at my mom's back as I watch her retreat to her car.

She betrayed me.

She jogs away holding the umbrella over her head.

I guess I could run after her but I can't deny wanting to get to know Danny more. I can’t deny the attraction I feel towards him. I bite my lip, turning around to him, forcing a smile.

"So... you go to Chrome Beans?" I ask, referring to the coffee shop we’re standing in front of. I’ve been going to Chrome Beans since I was a high school student. This is a place for me to escape sometimes. Coffee and a good book always seemed like a vacation from reality. My friends and I shared a lot of memories here. We would meet here and have study dates for big exams.

"Yeah, I'm glad I decided to get some coffee."

I blush. We're still standing in front of the coffee shop's doors, underneath a roof that's blocking the rain. My heart’s pounding, incredulously.

How did this guy I just met make me feel this way?

Danny’s all-black hoodie hugs his figure so well. He makes black my new favorite color.