And I will walk away from you, a thousand times, until the time is right.-SRD14

I watched as she swirled her almost empty coffee cup. She looked so small from where I was. Something else happened when I left them alone in the bathroom two years ago and, I had to find out what.

"Is this seat taken?" Came a voice I recognized so well. My hands suddenly grew cold. Not here. Not today.

"No, but-" Heidi said looking up and lost all her words. I could see color rushing back to her face and her lips danced into a smile.

"How have you been?" Nick asked, taking the seat to my left. "I hoped you'd call or text." He looked better than I'd last seen him.

"I-uh-have been battling a few of my demons," I replied shifting in my seat, uncomfortably.

"Don't fight too hard," He replied, taking my hand in his and rubbing circles with his thumb. 

I never understood how he mastered such courage in the first place. We barely knew each other yet, he was already invading my personal space.

"I'm Heidi," She said breaking our connection.

"Forgive my manners," Nick said still holding my hand. "I was too excited to see Kathleen again. I'm Nick." He added with a smile.

"Nice to meet you, Nick," Heidi said, keeping eye contact. "So how do you know Kathleen?"

Don't say the truth. Make something up. Something really good.

"I was there when she needed someone to talk to and I still am," He replied looking at me. I could feel my hand getting all sweaty. 

"Ah," She replied. I could tell that story didn't sit well with her.

"It was nice meeting you Heidi," he said glancing at her. "Don't be a stranger Kathleen." He added smiling and finally let go of my hand.

Once he left, I grabbed my latte and took a long sip of it. My heart was racing so fast. What was that all about? How hadn't I seen him coming?

"So Nick..." Heidi started. "Did he come before or after Todd?" Her question completely threw me off guard.

"What do you mean by that?" I retorted, placing my cup back on the table.

"Just that...are you two serious with whatever your relationship is?" She asked back. 

"Why?"

"Ok, it seems like you're not so...would you mind if I-" She replied smiling excitedly.

"Don't you dare," I interjected sternly but calmly. 

"Chill, I was just asking," She said, looking away with a weird smile.

 Were you just asking? Heidi...you've just made it to the top of my 'Keep an eye on' list!