Nine

The usual place was the small Pizza Hut on the High Street. It was quite busy today; the blue sky had brought people out of their homes and into the town centre. At eleven o’clock James was the only person that hadn’t arrived. The seven friends chatted until he arrived five minutes later., He was half running and half walking towards them.

“Finally, you set a time and you’re the one that’s late” Lucy chuckled at him, tapping her watch, James didn’t answer just grabbed her around the waist pulling her to him, kissing her with a growl.

“Get a room guys” Robert laughed, “The world does not need to see how nauseatingly loved up you two are” 

“Robert!” Emma barked at him “We can be just as bad.” She crossed her arms and turned away from him, her nose in the air, Rover looked to the heavens and mouth “Why me” she was right they were just as bad. He spun Emma around taking her in his arms and tickling her. She laughed and he kissed her. IT was just like them, this was just how they were. People wondered if the bickering was just for the making up!

Henry rolled his eyes, rubbing his hands together “Well then now we are all here where are we off too?” looking longingly at Pizza Hut. “Who’s Hungry?”

“Looks like you are as usual.” Alex laughed at him. They group made their way into Pizza Hut. There was a lunch time buffet, so you paid and kept going up for slices of different Pizza’s. They got their drinks with it and enjoyed a good hearty lunch, some great conversation and company.

James nudged Lucy his eyes smiling at her, she leaned in, and he kissed her head then whispered something in her ear. Lucy looked up and nodded, whispering back.

“Alex.” James called across the noise, she had been daydreaming sat there drinking her coke.  She looked at James puzzled.

“Yes James,” She smiled at her friend.

“Why don’t you go for it?” James asked, Alex looked confused but couldn’t hold back her flush of embarrassment.  James and Lucy had caught her staring at Henry.

“I don’t believe I know what you mean.” Looking worried and guilty all at the same time. This conversation had started tod raw the attention of the others and it was starting to make her uncomfortable. James and Lucy had known for a while that Alex and Henry were sitting on the fence and they wanted their friends to have the same kind of love and happiness they did. Alex sat staring at them, now what was she going to do, you couldn’t get anything past either of them they knew everything. Alex pretended she had no idea what her friends were talking about, hoping that it would end the conversation. It just spurred Lucy on.

“Henry?” Lucy said, looking directly at Alex, Henry looked up. confused by the odd exchange, looking between Alex, Lucy and James. Alex blushed bright red, she knew exactly what Lucy was about to do. Alex felt her ears starting to burn, she wanted the earth to open and swallow her, there was no coming back from this. Lucy was supposed to be her friend, why was she doing this to her? Alex started to panic she could no longer hear Lucy talking to Henry she knew she was speaking about her. She glanced over at Henry who had his mouth open in surprise. Everyone was looking at them. Alex couldn’t breathe she started looking around her in panic. How far had Lucy gone, what had she said why couldn’t she hear what she said. The panic was rising so much so she grabbed the edge of the table. Henry stood up and walked around the table taking her hands. He looked in her eyes and told her to breath. Luch felt guilty she hadn’t meant to give her friend a panic attack she was just trying to help her find love. Henry knelt next to Alex. Talking to her calmly. She started to regulate her breathing, and the room came back to her. She focused on Henry, he was smiling at her, he moved her hair from hair face gentle and brushed his fingers down her cheek. Alex looked over at Lucy, “Why? Why would you do that?”

“I’m so sorry Alex” Lucy looked to the floor; she had honestly thought it was just the nudge they needed.

“Hey” Henry said gentle to Alex, Drawing her attention back to him. “I think you are a fantastic person, highly attractive and if I am totally honest, I have had feelings for you for a few months now” He smiled at her again. “I should have done this myself,” He looked over at Lucy, “Don’t feel bad, you have given me the nudge I needed I shouldn’t have let it get to this point” Lucy had tears in her eyes, she didn’t like upsetting her friends and she had hurt Alex by butting in. she smiled at Henry, looked at Alex and apologised again.

“Alex” Henry smiled up at her. He was still knelt next to on the floor he’d taken her hands again. “I want to make you happy and give you the world if I can. Please forgive it has taken this event for me to ask you to be my girlfriend.” Alex had tears strimming down her face, had that just happened? Had Henry just asked her to be his? Alex looked up at everyone, they were all waiting on her answer. Lucy smiled softly at her and nodded.

“Yes, Henry, oh yes please.” Alex laughed.

“Well then,” Richard stood up and looked at everyone as we have everyone’s attention can I just divert it a moment. Everyone moved their attention over to Richard, what a lunch date this had turned out to be.

“Nik, errr How about it? You and me?” Nicola who was chewing her pizza at the time nearly chocked on it. What did he just say? Did he just ask her out? Lucy was laughing, James whooped loudly. Nicola swallowed her pizza. Taking a gulp of Coke with it. She was shocked but pleased. Smiling she looked over at Richard and then back at everyone. “Well?” Richard stood there awkwardly waiting.

“Oh” Nicola shook her head, Richard's shoulders sagged, James looked confused, and Lucy gasped in Shock. Nicola was saying no.

“Shit, no I didn’t mean my head shake to say no, shit... I’m shocked, I mean Yes, fuck yes” Nicola Laughed. She took his hand across the table leaning over to kiss him on the cheek. Richard laughed standing up he pulled her to him and kissed her like she had never been kissed before. It took her breath away. They were no longer eight friends, they were four couples who were all incredible close. It was amazing on how a small group could become so close. Time was pressing on, so they went shopping as planned. The town centre was made for shopping and with the four women the Guys knew this was going to take a while.