______________________________________________________
AJ stepped into the cafe at which they'd decided to meet. The iMPACT! taping was over, and he was feeling somewhat sore. But when his eyes found the beautiful brunette already seated at a small table toward the back, somehow, he didn't feel it quite as much.
Karen's lovely face lit up as she spotted him approaching. She smiled as he waved and made his way over.
"Sorry if I'm a little late," AJ said sheepishly as he sat down across from her. "Tomko kept me awhile to discuss strategy for our next match." His gaze raked over her shapely form before meeting her dark eyes.
"Don't apologize," she insisted with a wave of one manicured hand. "It's not your fault. I know Tomko doesn't like me, and if he had any inkling we were meeting after the show, he probably kept you on purpose."
The dark-haired man considered her words for a beat, then nodded. The woman definitely had a point. It was no secret that his tag team partner didn't like Karen Angle.
"Well, we don't have to worry about him now," AJ stated. He smiled at her, amazed by the fact that he didn't feel shy as he usually did around women. That was a sure sign of just how comfortable and natural he felt with her.
"Are you guys ready to order?" a waitress suddenly asked.
AJ was startled, as he hadn't even realized she'd come over until she'd spoken.
Karen eyed the man sitting across from her. He hadn't even glanced at the menu placed before him. She gave him a questioning look before turning back to the waitress.
"Yeah," he said, surprising her. "Go on," he murmured, meeting her gaze.
Karen smiled sweetly at him. Kurt would have just ordered for himself before allowing her to do so first.
"I'll have the garden salad with balsamic viniagrette," she said, glancing up at the waitress, "and a cup of tea."
AJ's gaze quickly scanned over the menu, and he cleared his throat.
"I'll have a roast beef sandwich on rye, lots of mayo, lettuce and tomato. And a Coors Light."
"All righty... Coming right up," the waitress said cheerily. She gratefully took the two menus AJ handed over and bounded off.
The young man turned back to notice Karen silently staring at him, a soft smile playing at her lips. It made him feel good, and his insides all warm and fuzzy-like.
"What?" he questioned innocently.
The brunette cocked her head as she continued to eye him with wonder. He was so guileless, with a boyish innocence about him, and so very sweet.
Still smiling, she said, "You are such a gentleman."
AJ felt a smile touching his lips, and this time, he felt a blush come into his cheeks. He supposed it was because he didn't normally receive compliments like that. Sure, he regularly got praised for his wrestling skill, but not for being a gentleman. It was really quite a nice and humbling feeling - especially coming from a woman.
"Aw, shucks... I just think a lady should be treated as one."
Karen continued to smile at him as his head was turned bashfully to his right. She slowly reached across the table, and he shot his head forward again as he felt her hands on his. This too was a very nice feeling.
"AJ, I have to be honest with you," she began, and his gaze traveled from their hands to her brown eyes. She bit her lip, hesitating for the briefest moment as the memory of the renewal of wedding vows between Kurt and herself played in her head. In spite of the fact that the priest had apparently declared her and AJ "man and wife," the young man's tune had changed shortly after. She remembered his exact words...
"You're married to Kurt. And a husband and wife should be together."
She snapped back to her senses as she felt AJ suddenly caressing her hands with his fingertips. A glance into his blue eyes showed he was patiently waiting for her to continue. She took a short breath and went on.
"I didn't just separate from Kurt because he's neglecting me."
He continued to stare at her in silence, his face showing slight surprise.
"I also came to realize over these last few weeks that I've developed feelings for someone else," the brunette revealed. She tilted her head as she met his gaze. Could he see it in her face, her eyes?
Finally, AJ seemed to find his voice again, somehow.
"Karen, are you saying you..." he stuttered, letting himself trail off. He had to be dreaming if he honestly believed what she was saying was exactly what he was thinking.
"Yes, AJ," the lovely brunette confirmed, "I think I'm falling in love with you."