Page 8 of The Expiration Date

Aidan grins. “Fair enough. You know you are my number one, Mabel,” Aidan says as he sinks back down into the booth.

“You flatter me, sugar, but I’ll believe it when I see it.” She winks at me and I let out a guffaw. I slap my hand to my mouth to stifle the sound, but I can’t resist. This lady has no boundaries. Something that I always pride myself in having. I possess the Hadrian’s Wall of boundaries.

At the sound of my hyena-like outburst, Mabel finally looks over at me. “Oh I should’ve reigned it in – I didn’t even realize you had someone with you.”

“Now, Mabel, when have you ever reigned it in?” Aidan teases.

“Oh you hush. I’m sorry sugar, what’s your name? I don’t remember seeing you in any of the tabloids these past six months. Are you one of Aidan’s little minxes?”

Aidan places his right hand over his eyes and rubs his temples out of embarrassment.

My face hurts already from smiling so much in the span of two minutes. “Um, no. I am…” Actually, I don’t know how to answer this question. “I’m, well, I’m Aidan’s…”

“She’s my girlfriend, Mabel.”

There it is. It’s out there. Mabel is the first to know. Well, I guess fifth to know, seeing how Samantha, Chris, Aidan and I already knew about this whole “girlfriend” thing. Suddenly, I feel tingly all over. I don’t know if it’s a title I’m ready for.

Mabel slaps her hand over her mouth. “Oh! Now I am embarrassed. Me and my big mouth. I don’t know what the word ‘filter’ means. Never have been good at it. I didn’t mean to call you a minx. Actually you seem really genuine and sweet. I have this ability to read people and sense their auras. Yours sends all the good vibes.” She turns her attention to Aidan. “About damn time honey, I was worried you let this L.A. culture influence you to the point of joining the dark side.”

“No dark side for me, Mabel. I can promise you that.”

“Good.” Mabel smiles at me. “Now what is your name, sugar?”

“My name is Haley, ma’am. It’s so nice to meet you.” I reach out and shake Mabel’s hand, which is covered in wrinkles and with turquoise rings on every finger.

“It’s a pleasure, Miss Haley. I’ll let you look at the menu, darlin’. Sugar, do you want your usual?” She places her delicate hand on Aidan’s shoulder.

“Yes, Mabel. But you don’t have to put it in right away. I’ll wait for Hales to decide.”

I place the menu down and beam up at Mabel. “Actually Mabel, I’m ready.”

Mabel takes out her notepad and pen from her apron to take down my order.

“I would like a Belgian waffle, two eggs over easy, bacon extra crispy if possible, hash browns, and a coffee please.”

But Mabel doesn’t even click her pen. “No need to write this one down.” I see her smile a little. Why is she smiling? Did I order something weird? “I’ll put that in for you right away. Wow, I think you found a keeper, sugar. Someone who is beautiful and loves food? That’s a rare find here in Los Angeles. Be back soon with your coffee.”

Aidan gathers the menus and puts them at the end of the table near the window. I can tell he is humored by something.

“What?”

He shakes his head slightly, and yet he is still smiling, “Nothing.” He clasps his hands together. “So, Haley.”

“So, Aidan.” This is weird. I’ve never been alone with Aidan in this type of setting before. We usually exchange information through text, emails, calendar updates or on our short walks on set in between shooting a scene. We have never sat down and eaten a meal together. I am freaking out! Why in the world did I agree to do this? My knee starts to bob up and down and there aren’t enough breathing exercises in the world to aid in stopping it.

I must be zoning out because when I glance back at Aidan, his face is concerned.

“Hales. Are you okay? You look like you’re going to pass out.”

I notice Mabel coming back with our coffees. I plaster on a smile and say, “Yeah, I’m fine. I promise.”

Mabel plunks down two sturdy diner mugs. “Here you go hon. Would you like any cream and sugar?”

Before I have a chance to answer, Aidan pipes in, “Yes, please Mabel, thank you.”

“Sure thing. Be back with your food shortly.”

I clear my throat and finally look up at Aidan’s gentle blue eyes. Somehow, for the split second our eyes meet, I feel calmer. “So, you brought me here to talk about the terms of our agreement.”

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