"When You Want Her Back..."


Chapter Eight.



Looking in the mirror April nodded her head at the image she saw. Everything seemed just right. She wore a spaghetti strap white shirt under a blue sweater with a flowered long skirt that was silky in a cute dangly way. She had flip flops on and yet another pair of sun glasses. Spring was close to her best season because of the outfits she got to wear. Her absolute favorite was summer. Relaxing in the pool was just her favorite thing to do and summer weather was perfect for it.

Expecting Bret any minute April dabbed some lip stick on her lips and checked her image in the mirror. Her pony tail was simple but with the curls on the end of it, it seemed sassier and still not completely girly. Her outfit was perfect for her date and she couldn’t be more prepared.

A little guilty about her sister she decided to ignore her feelings. It was time for her to enjoy herself and not feel stressed which seemed to be all she was doing lately. Her sister had come with a load of stress and Bret had come with a ticket to freedom. Using that ticket was exactly what tonight would be about. She hadn’t been on a date or flirted with a man in months. It seemed that lately no guys had found her flirt worthy or date worthy.

Hearing the door bell ring a spark of enthusiasm hit her and she was forced to repress the school girl shriek. Grabbing her purse she headed for the door. "I’m coming” she said walking through the living room and passed the kitchen.

Finally reaching the door she yanked it open with a welcoming smile on her face. Disappointed she had opened the door to see Connie her next door neighbor standing there with a box of donuts.

"Oh honey I heard the arguing and I got Ma to watch the kids tonight so we could talk all about it." Connie said holding up the donuts. "I just couldn’t imagine what you...” Pausing Connie looked at the outfit that April wore. "Are we going some where?"

Smiling proudly April said "I’m going on a date."

The words brought a grin to Connie's face and April found herself being pushed into her apartment and rushed to the couch. Connie was a good neighbor and being that she had no girl friends or fellow colleagues from work Connie seemed just the right person to talk to when problems occurred or April just wanted to talk. "Do Tell!! Is he hot? Does he have a cute dimple and a bank account worth dying for?"

Surprised by her friend’s questions April laughed. "Well I wouldn’t know about the bank account deal but the cute dimple is a sure thing. His name is Bret and I have a date with him for dinner. It feels so great to finally go out... On a date! And Connie I must tell you he sure makes me smile. Just the thought of him makes me giddy."

"Awww I think some one is falling"

"No way Connie. Besides we jus met"

"Oh please you’re falling. You’re falling so much that the wind has given up on the sound effects of the whistle as your falling!" Connie laughed at her own crazy thought and said "Sorry too much Cartoon Network with the kids. You know that whistle when the road runner falls. I love that sound." Connie added then demonstrated with her own whistle.

“Anyway hun. You mind if I stay in your apartment and just chill while you’re out on your date. The way I see it is I’m going to want complete details when you get home anyway and mom is already watching the kids... And I do believe I heard some typing in the middle of the night. I know you have story to show me!"

"God are the walls that thin?"

"No I’m just a good guesser. Besides it’s a known fact that April cannot go a week without writing at least one chapter."

"Yeah, true. Connie you can surely chill here and you know what I could use some one to talk to after the date. Did I mention he has a child!"

"NO KIDDING!?" So surprised Connie held her hand over her heart and said "He’s so sweet. I’ve never met the guy but... If you don’t want him can I have him?"

"CONNIE!"

"What... oh you think the whole husband and family thing might get in the way?" Giggling Connie patted April on her leg. "No worries I’m only kidding I don’t plan on taking your dream guy. Besides he wouldn’t want me. I come with a package of my own. Two kids a cranky mother and an over bearing brother. No guy would want that. They'd have to be an idiot."

"Connie are you forgetting about your husband again?"

"No I’m jus insulting him. God he angers me."

Putting a frown on her face April said "How so? What'd he do this time?"

Connie sighed and said "He got into another fight. I swear if it weren’t for his checks I would kick him out. I don't need the stress but I do need the money. My only hope is he kills some one in the next fight and gets sent to jail. Honestly April I don’t feel the love anymore."

"Aww" was all April said before extending her arms and hugging Connie. The hug was interrupted by the sound of the down stairs buzz.

Connie quickly broke apart the hug and ran to the intercom. "Who?" she said knowing exactly who it was.

"Bret" said the male voice.

"Come right on up!" Connie told him following it with a quick buzz of the front door. "Get up April he’s coming! He’s coming!"

Walking to the couch Connie grabbed Aprils hand and pulled her up. She rushed her to the door. "Now don’t talk with your mouth full. Don’t over laugh at his jokes but do laugh. At the end of your meal do check your make up for smudges and so on. Oh and remember to have fun!" At those words Connie quickly hugged April and opened the door pushed her through and closed it behind her.

After being kicked out of her own apartment April walked to the elevator where Bret would be. Standing in front of the doors she felt eager and was glad that Connie would be there tonight to tell her about the date.
Lena being away meant that April had no sister to blabber on to about things that occurred in her life. So she went to the next best thing. A non-blood sister which Connie definitely was to her. Connie was her friend for two years and they had been through a lot. From dealing with Connie's abusive husband to dealing with the publishers insults on her stories. Together they were strong. Together they were sane and apart would be the leading point of self destruction.

Finally the elevator doors opened and April found herself staring a six feet of sexy man. He wore simple jeans and a T-shirt with a blue silk shirt open over it. A jean jacket she was sure he didn’t need and a pair of sneakers. He seemed to be in relaxing clothes and he seemed to look amazing in those same clothes. She could only imagine the impact he had in a dressy outfit. His hair was spiky but Gel-less and a strand or two remained hanging over his fore head. Smiling April greeted him "Why hello" Stepping into the elevator doors she entered the elevator.

"Hello" Bret said opening his arms to her and hugging her with a kiss on the cheek. "Ready for tonight?" he asked ending the hug and putting his hands into his pockets.

"More then ever. I even have sunglasses just in case the sun decides to appear at night.” April said pointing to the sun glasses on her head.

"Yes because you never know right?" Laughing together they stood in the elevator listening to the dings as it went down each floor.

"Nope you never do" Smiling April looked up at the gorgeous man who she had met through the simple internet. Maybe &HEARTS dating service wasn’t as overrated as she had first thought.

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Bret put the car in park and unbuckled his seat belt. "Well here we are" he said pointing to the restaurant in front of him. Looking at April the first time at that elevator he had lost his breath. She was completely stunning tonight and he enjoyed every detail and aspect of her outfit. The sweater gave a warm and welcoming look to her and the sunglasses at night gave her the trendy look. Her lipstick glossed her lips up to make them seem so teasing and yet was the perfect shade to add plumpness at the same time. Her hair was simple but indeed looked elegant. It was hard to imagine that a simple dating service had brought this marvelous girl to him.

"Pondarosa? I didn’t even think there was one out in New Jersey."

"Well now you know and now we are here. So I hope you’re ready to eat a whole lot. I’m pretty sure there is plenty."

Exiting the car Bret grabbed his jacket and walked around the other side to gather his date. April appearing in his sight he laughed. He had turned the corner around the car to find April fighting with her dress and his car. Lowly, she demanded that they let go of each other.

"Hold on ill get it out" Bret said walking up to her and inspecting where the fabric had gotten stuck. Puling on it softly he felt the fabric warn him that if he pulled any harder it would break. "I don’t have any idea how it got stuck there but it seems to me its pretty stuck. I could get it out if you are willing to have a broken skirt..."

Sighing April said "Go for it."

Pulling on it the fabric broke and April was now freed from the car. Looking at the effects on the dress Bret tapped on his chin. A chunk was now missing and he couldn’t lie and say it didn’t look odd. Grabbing the bottom of the dress he further ripped more of it off and signaled for April to twirl in circles. Perfectly the skirt ripped straight and evenly seeming as though it was just another skirt. "Well that seemed to work" he said looking her up and down.

"Yeah... Kind of short though."

"Actually I think it looks great." April smiled at his words and closed the car door. "Come on lets get something to eat before I get stuck to something else."

Walking through the doors of Pondarosa an All you can eat buffet/restaurant Bret notice the family party that was now going on. Looking at it all he was surprised. Usually because of the fact that the place wasn’t well known it was deserted but it seemed the one night he picked it, it was packed. Walking up to the stewardess he said "McAllister Party for two."
Nodding her head the stewardess looked and flipped through some books. "Yes well sir I see here you called ahead but your table has been taken. Family rented out the whole place I’m afraid. If you want you can order out and eat some where else."


"I didn’t even know this place could be rented. Since when? This is Pondarosa. Who rents Pondarosa?"

Suddenly Bret saw Olivia walk by and smile at him. "Hey Bret!" she said especially happy to see him here and angry.


"Olivia, just who I wanted to see." Rolling his eyes he looked at the crowd behind her. A bunch of people resembling Olivia sat in there seats with the same evil looks on there faces. Bret couldn’t believe that Olivia of all people had rented Pondarosa and exactly on his date night. He most of all couldn’t believe that Satan herself had a family. He knew that all things came from some where but what he also assumed was that Olivia had just woken up and decided her passion was to get on his nerves.

"Who’s this?!" Olivia said pointing to April. "She’s way to hot for you!"

Gritting his teeth and rolling his eyes again he said "Oh look Satan comes with a family"

Laughing at him Olivia didn’t seem insulted. "Damn straight. Now will you kindly leave? My family and I are having a party!" Olivia signaled for the door and waked away laughing an evil laugh.

"Sir I’m so sorry for the inconvenience. If you would just order we will make it a take out and I promise you'll get a free meal next time." Listening to her words he realized that bribery was obviously not going to make him happy but he decided that he might as well use it.

"Fine. What do you want to eat April?"