Tom stepped into the dimly lit restaurant, his eyes scanning the room for Linda. She waved at him from a corner table, a bright smile on her face. He felt a flicker of surprise - she looked polished, put together. The awkward girl he remembered had grown into a confident woman.
As he made his way through the crowded restaurant, Tom's mind flashed back to their childhood. They grew up in the same neighborhood, went to the same schools. Linda was always the cheerful one, the life of the party. Tom, on the other hand, was the nmot too quiet,but always brooding type. They weren't exactly friends, but they weren't enemies either. Just... acquaintances.
"Long time no see, Tom," Linda said, as he dropped into the chair across from her.
Tom's expression remained neutral. "Linda. You look like you've done well for yourself."
Linda laughed, a sound that made Tom's ears perk up. It was the same laugh he remembered, infectious and genuine. "Thanks, Tom. I've been keeping busy."
The conversation started awkwardly, with both of them fumbling over small talk. But as they ordered and the evening wore on, Tom's impatience grew. He wasn't here to catch up, and he definitely wasn't here to enjoy himself.
"Look, Linda, can we cut the small talk?" Tom said, his voice low and even. "What's the point of this?"
Linda's smile never wipped. "I just wanted to catch up, Tom. We used to be friends, remember?"
Tom snorted. "Friends? We grew up together, Linda. That's it."
Linda's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Oh, Tom, you're still as charming as ever."
Tom rolled his eyes, but a small part of him couldn't help but notice the way Linda's eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled. He pushed the thought aside. He wasn't here to notice things like that.
As they waited for their food, Linda launched into a story about her job, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. Tom listened, his expression skeptical, but he couldn't deny the curiosity creeping in about the things she had been up to since he last saw her.
Their food arrived, and they dug in, eating in relative silence. Tom was surprised to find himself enjoying the meal. The food was good, and Linda's company wasn't as painful as he'd expected.
As they finished up, Linda leaned back in her chair, a satisfied smile on her face. "Thanks for dinner, Tom. It's been great catching up."
Tom raised an eyebrow. "Don't get used to it, Linda."
Linda laughed, unfazed. "Oh, I think I'll take my chances."
Tom stood up, his chair scraping against the floor. "I'm outta here."
Linda's laughter followed him as he walked out of the restaurant, into the cool night air. "See you around, Tommy," she called out, her voice full of mirth.
Tom didn't look back, his expression hardening. He wasn't looking forward to running into her again.
As he walked home, Tom's mind replayed the evening. Linda was still the same, bubbly and cheerful. And for some reason, that annoyed him.
He pushed the thought aside. He wasn't annoyed. He just didn't have time for people like Linda, that's all.
As he walked into his apartment, Tom couldn't help but wonder what Linda was up to, what she was thinking.
Loosening his tie, he dropped onto the couch as he kicked off his shoes, his work phone buzzed. "Tom, it's Mark. We need to discuss the Newark project."
Tom listened, answering questions about timelines and deliverables. "Got it. I'll send the update by EOD."
He hung up, and the landline rang instantly. His mother.
"Tom, hi. I wanted to check up on you, tell me how are you and.....how was the date with Linda?"
Tom sighed inwardly. "It was fine, Mom. We grabbed coffee in JC."
His mother sounded helpless. "Oh...did you...talk about...things?"
Tom chose his words carefully. "We talked. She's doing well. Don't get ahead of yourself, okay?"
His mother paused. "I just...I want you happy, Tom."
Tom softened. "I know, Mom. I'll handle it."
She sounded resigned. "Alright, dear."
Tom hung up, rubbing his temples, he went upstairs to the master bedroom, feeling very not only sleepu but also tired.