Chapter 6

"Here is your drink." I looked up from the menu and was greeted with a warm smile from Vincent. I felt my cheeks heat up remembering that night.

"So is this going to become a thing now?" I asked, pointing at the drink. "You know my orders by heart you don't even have to ask?"

His smile was bright and not a hint of discomfort from his actions displayed. "It could be. I pride myself on giving the best customer service I can." He laughed.

"Well, you're certainly doing a wonderful job. I'll take the Friday special please and I would like to place another order to go as well. It's for my boss." I added already seeing the wheels turning in his head. I never ordered anything else outside of what I was going to eat. He nodded his head and wrote down the meal as I read it from the text message that was sent.

"Just let me know when you'd be ready to put this in and I'll get to it right away."

When he walked away I opened my phone again scrolling through more photos. They were simpler times, happier days. Yet I felt like it was all a lie. I felt like my whole life had been a lie and it took getting my heart crushed in the worst way to see it. I don't think I can bring myself to face them again. Not after that. Certainly not in three weeks.

I kept scrolling until I landed on an old photo of my father and I on his birthday. It was more of a picture of a photo I had found in one of the albums my mother kept. I went through the settings and chose that as my lock screen.

"Hey, Vincent?" I waved him over as he passed by.

"Yes, Ms. Vine. What can I do for you?" The way my name flowed from his lips had me forgetting what I had wanted to do.

"Um. First, you can just call me Manuela, or Manny. But a strange question. You guys wouldn't happen to have any birthday candles in the back would you?" I silently prayed that they did only for my silly reasons.

"Yeah, I think we do actually."

"Can I order a slice of double chocolate cake with the candle please?"

"Wait, it's your birthday?" He asked, almost surprised.

"Oh no!" My face began to heat up as I thought about what I had wanted to do. "Um. It's my dad. Even though his birthday isn't for another month. It just felt right to honor him now. He's been on my mind heavy today." I somehow felt better saying it out loud. Like it wasn't so silly after all.

"Well, I can do you one better. Be right back." He gave me a wink as he rushed back to the kitchen to prepare the cake.

As I waited, my phone sounded with a text alert. Unlocking it I found it was a message from Megan.

'Ask lover boy if he's still coming tomorrow?'

She sent with a winky face. I rolled my eyes as she continued to insist that Vincent has a thing for me.

'How did you even know I was here?' I responded.

'It's Friday, you always do lunch there on Fridays and I just assumed he was there. Which I'm sure I'm right.'

Another winky face.

'Screw you.'

I closed the phone back up just in time for Vincent to bring out my order.

"Your cake will be out shortly. Anything else you need?"

"No everything looks amazing thank you." He gave another warm smile turning away. "Oh wait!" I called out. "Um. Tomorrow. My friends and I were doing the archery lesson, are you still coming?"

His smile seemed to grow brighter. "I thought I scared you off last week with my singing." He winked. "Yes, I still would love to join you guys."

On impulse, I reached in my purse and grabbed a pen and a napkin scribbling my number down. "If you get lost or can't remember the place just shoot me a text." He took the napkin with ease and slid it in his apron pocket.

"Sure thing. Oh and personal question. Feel free to say it's none of my business, but what is your father's name?" He now looked a bit nervous and I thought it was quite cute.

"Emanuel." I smiled.

Then the reality of what had just happened hit me. I gave a complete stranger my number. What the hell was I thinking? There was no coming back from that.

Okay Em. Just breath. Everything will be fine.

I quietly ate my food and played a few games on my phone.

"ONE! TWO! ONE TWO THREE FOUR!" I heard someone yell followed by multiple claps. I looked up excited to join in on the birthday song when I realized they were all streamlining to my table.

"Happy birthday! From Mickey's Diner to Emanuel!" They shouted at the end of the birthday song. Words couldn't express just how shocked I was. Tears began to build up as they sat the piece of cake on the table all wishing me a happy birthday on behalf of my father.

I blew out the candle and everyone went back to work.

"Was it too much?" Vincent asked now seeing as a few tears rolled down my face. I quickly wiped them away as my smile never fell.

"No, it was perfect thank you so much." I reached out and squeezed his hand in mine. It felt like the right thing to do.

"Well, when his actual birthday rolls around. I would gladly help you honor him again." He then gave me a shocked look like he couldn't believe what was just said.

"I would like that very much."

***

I sat in my car outside the building as sweat began to cover my palms. I wasn't sure why I was so nervous right now. It was just four friends hanging out, right? Wait, was Vincent a friend? I only spoke to him when I visited the diner, and I only saw him that one time outside of the diner. A sudden tap on my window scared me.

"Holy fuck you scared me!" I yelled as I climbed out of the car seeing Lenny and Megan standing there.

"Sorry to disturb your Vincent fantasies." Megan giggled. I just rolled my eyes and ignored her statement.

"Speaking of. Where is lover boy?" Lenny asked looking around the parking lot.

"He's on his way." I looked down at the clock and we only had two minutes before we were supposed to check-in. As we all began to walk towards the door another car pulled up.

"Hey guys, hope I'm not late?" Vincent asked as he stepped from the car.

"Nope, just in time. Glad you could make it." I waved him over and we all walked in together. We followed the signs to the shooting area finally coming to an open space with tape on the floor marking lanes and positions. There were three other persons here all shooting with bows and arrows.

"Hi, I'm here for a group of four. Name Manuela Vine." I stepped up to the counter. "I was the one that called about the Groupon." I added.

After we finished checking in, we got to choose which type of bow to use. It was difficult trying to choose since I've ever worked with one before. We were all new to this, so we decided to go with the compound bow.

We then got fitted for the different sized bows and instructed on the basic rules of how to maneuver through the facility. We then moved to the lanes and were instructed on the different commands, as well as how to handle the bow.

I was first to do a practice shot. I stood firm in my spot. Shoulders back and elbows out I hooked the arrow as instructed and tugged with all my strength until it was where it needed to be.

"Always try to remember to use the peephole." Our instructor called out. I took a deep breath and tried to position the bow so I could see. Then I released the arrow only to have the string snap against my arm and the bow to hit Lenny & Megan's target instead of Vincent and I's.

"That was a great shot. Now I can tell you were trying to overextend, and if I had to take a guess your arm got hit?" He wasn't rude or angry, just concerned as well as teaching us what to be careful of. I nodded my head trying to hide the real pain I felt.

He then went and gave us a few more tips on how to shoot better. I tried once more and was more successful this time. Everyone got a turn to shoot all of their arrows and get more help. We were all terrible but it was fun.

"Alright guys. The last thirty minutes you're on your own. If you have any questions feel free to ask away." Our instructor gave us a wave and went back to the desk. Lenny and Megan had their targets moved down two lanes so we wouldn't feel so crowded.

"So of all the new things to try, Archery somehow made the list?" Vincent asked, taking one of his arrows and letting it shoot for the target.

I shrugged. "It was the only interesting thing I found on Groupon besides bowling."

"Well, I think it's pretty cool. I may have to come back and do this again. Have you ever been to the gun range?" He asked as he shot his last arrow.

"No, I haven't. That was going on the list soon." I stepped up to my square and positioned my arrow. Once I was comfortable I released it only for it to land in the top left corner.

"Well, whenever you decide to go. I would like to join you. I can possibly help you. I've been many times. It's a great way to relieve stress or anger."

I shot my last three arrows all missing the middle of the target.

"Hey not bad! How about we make this fun." I looked down at the other shooters and waited until the last arrow was released before we all went and collected them.

"What did you have in mind?"

"Whoever gets the most arrows close to or even hit the target wins. The loser has to pay for lunch." He held his hand out and we shook on it.

"You're on mister." I tried really hard to focus.

Vincent was so helpful, and patient. Yet he did silly things to try and break my focus but I wouldn't let him. It felt nice being out and really enjoying myself. I got to know more about him. He was an only child much like myself, and he enjoyed hiking. I found myself telling him about my crazy need to be in control of certain situations. Not once did he make me feel like a freak for it. He made me feel like a normal person and he listened with an open mind.

I managed to get at least two of my arrows at least near the center. That was after the fifth and final round. I totally lost that bet.

"Don't worry you'll get it next time." He teased.

"I know this great place we can go for lunch. What do you guys say?" He asked once we were all outside.

"Well, I thought we could go to--"

"Yes we're in." Megan spoke up cutting me off. I gave her a confused look because I had already told her where we were getting lunch. "Loosen up. It's just food." She whispered walking past. I just shook my head and climbed into my car. We all pulled out with me following behind Vincent and Meg and Lenny behind me.