Love Gets Me Every Time {William}

[debbie]

25th May, 2009

Ever since Brendan and Megan split, Debbie had felt she lost a good friend, and in a way she blamed herself for having a go at her older brother for dating a girl who was so much younger than he was. She also felt she could probably learn to live without Brendan being so close to her all the time. He was now settled in Las Vegas even if he didn't have Megan in his life anymore, but Debbie had never truly settled there, she had missed New York too much. So, with the help of Brendan she took herself back to New York. Brendan promised he would visit her as often as he could and Debbie believed him.

She sold the shop in Las Vegas and made her way back to Brooklyn, New York and took charge of the shop she had left with an assistant manager. Her assistant manager was so glad to have Debbie back, he swung her around in his arms. He was gay, bless him. Debbie was gutted at Brendan splitting with Megan though, she had finally begun to understand her brother's article about love at first sight and then they split. Brendan told her straight however that just because he and Megan didn't work out, didn't mean that love at first sight didn't exist, he said it had happened for him, and chances were high it could happen again.

She figured he may be right. Brendan hadn't sold his apartment in New York when they moved, he said she could just go and move back in. So of course she had a fully furnished plush apartment, and now enough wardrobe space for all her clothes. Her first official day was coming to a close, and Miles her assistant manager had already left for the day. She began to pull down the shutters on the window, but they were the old type and of course they had got stuck and with Miles already gone, she was struggling with it. "Wha' the?!" She said out loud to nobody in particular. "God damn these shutters." She shouted again, "Gonna have to get maself these new automatic ones." She added in a bit of a temper as she tugged at the shutters again, and then the pole slipped out of her hand and she fell backward.

[william]

William was heading home for the night. It had been some time since he had spoken to his younger sister, Katie. But he had heard that she was not pregnant. William had no idea who the father was, but for all he knew it was that guy Jake who she had met and lost her virginity to. He didn't know where he went wrong with Katie. But knew that all the events that had happen has all led to her unusual behhaviour, and this was the result. All he could think of was that this was just more bad publicity for Jason, if anyone got their hands on the information.

William was walking passed a shop on the sidewalk, when he saw a woman closing up. Looking at his watch, he soon realised how late it was getting. He needed to grab a bite to eat, knowing that he hadn't eaten since lunch time. As he walked halfway past the shop, William saw the woman talking and trying to close the shutters. William looked, and then just as he was looking away, he saw the pole thing that was attached to the shutters slip out, and she fell backwards.

All William could do was knock on the window, and call out loud enough for her to hear, "Do you need some help?" He knew about these old shutters, and also knew that they always stuffed around. William was glad that he had the newer types at his apartment, never really opening them lately. He liked the darkness, but most of the time he was at the apartment during the night anway. William waited for a response off the pretty woman.

[debbie]

The shutters were driving Debbie insane, she was definitely going to get new ones put in as soon as possible. This was ridiculous. If they didn't close she'd have to phone Miles and get him back and she really didn't want to do that. She was desperately trying to become a little more independent. Funny how sometimes, things don't always work out the way you want them to.

That was when she heard a knock and a voice ask if she needed help. She was lucky she didn't fall onto the floor. She steadied herself, and then shouted back, "Sure if ya could sweetie, tha' be fantastic, thanks." Debbie shouted, her obvious Southern accent very clear. Again, tending to use the word sweetie which was her version of the fact that Brendan almost called every female he saw sweetheart, unless, something in particular stood out about them and he called them the nickname concerning that very fact. Like, he had called Megan 'Sweet Cheeks' because she had prominent cheek bones.

Debbie then focused on the guy, and looked at him, realising just how handsome he was. Wondering if he was slightly older than her, and then not really caring if he was or not. Which made her feel even more guilty for spouting off to Brendan about Megan being so much younger than he was. But there was a difference, Megan had only been twenty, at least she was twenty six.

[william]

William instantly made his way into the shop as soon as she said it was okay. He hated to see people in trouble, and this woman needed his help, even if it was over shutters. William grabbed a hold of the shutters, wiggled them around forcefully, but not enough to make them crashing down on both of them. Finally one side came down, and then William tugged on the other side, and that side came down. Resting the bottom of the shutter on the ground, William got up and turned towards the woman. "There you go honey. Is there anything you need help with?"

William didn't care what had to be done, as he really only had to get home to an empty apartment. Who knew where Katie was these days, even though she shouldn't really be doing anything much in her condition. William knew that he shouldn't be overprotective, but she was his sister.

Looking at this woman, he noticed her features. Her hair was a nice colour, and it did look like she took care of herself. William wondered why she was not a model with her looks. But looking around the flower shop, he could see that she took her time in arranging the flowers. He thought he should have looked around harder for the flowers for his brother's funeral. Maybe he should have gone here instead.

He thought it was best first then to introduce himself. "Hi, my name is William," extending his hand to her. "You have a great setup here. I never really noticed this store here." He was being truthful, not rude. He didn't normall walk this way home, but needed the time to think.

[debbie]

Debbie watched as the guy came into her shop and began messing around with the shutters, tugging at them until one side came down and then he started on the other and soon it was down as well. Debbie smiled at him as he spoke to her, calling her honey. It made her feel a little special in a way. "Thanks sweetie." She replied and then he asked if there was anything else she needed help with.

"To be honest, not really, I was jus' gettin' ready to close up shop fer the day an' I let ma assistant manager leave without closin' the shutters on the window fer me. Jus' got the door to lock, thanks though." Debbie said giving him a warm smile.

Debbie smiled and took his hand in her own and shook it, "Sure am pleased to meet ya William, am Debbie an' thanks again." William then went on to mention she had a great set up with her shop, which she thought was really sweet of him. "The store's been here fer a while, but I've only jus' got back from a few months stay in Las Vegas, thanks fer the compliment." She smiled as she looked around her shop, it had done well in her absence, Miles had done a great job, and she knew it would continue to do well now.

"Ya wouldn' like to go fer a coffee or somethin' would ya?" Debbie asked, as she made her way to the shop door, "Could be ma way of thankin' ya fer helpin' me out?" She continued, constantly smiling at him, and finding it difficult to avert her eyes anywhere else but looking at his own soulful ones, those eyes which Debbie couldn't help but describe as 'come to bed eyes'.

[william]

William smiled when she thanked him. "That is alright. Glad to have helped." When she said she didn't really have anything for him to do, he shrugged, "All good. Just wanted to ask." William always wanted to make sure there was nothing else that was needed to be done. It didn't matter where he was, William was always the one who would help.

"Hi Debbie. That is a nice name. And you are welcome for the compliment. I haven't been in many flower shops myself, but this one would have to stand out for me." William really hadn't needed to step into one personally, no one to really buy flowers for. Though he had to recall the time he had to buy flowers for his youngest brother's funeral. "I also have to say that your assistant manager did a great job. He obviously learnt from the best."

William was just about to leave her alone to finish up, when Debbie asked William if he wanted to go and get a coffee. Then she mention that it could be a way of thanking him. "Well, honestly I think that would be nice. I don't have anywhere I have to be, but my empty apartment. So yes, that would be great." William looked at Debbie, making a mental note of her facial features. She seemed wise beyond her years, and yet she looked young.

William followed her to the shop door, holding it open for her to exit. When he walked out, he closed the door behind him, and then made his way away from the door in order for her to lock it. As he waited, William looked around outside, noticing that there were people walking, not seeming to have a care in the world. William wondered if he would ever have that himself.

[debbie]

Debbie just kept smiling at the very handsome guy as he said he was glad to help. She was beginning to wish there were other things he could have done to help, anything to have kept him around a little longer. When William said she had a nice name, she felt herself blush slightly.

"Thanks sweetie, ma brother calls me Princess." Debbie said with a slight shake of her head, and laughed, "He's got a thing fer nicknames ya see." She went on to explain, still smiling at him and not taking her eyes off of him the whole time. Debbie listened as he told her he hadn't been in many flower shops himself. "To be honest, most of the customers are female, but we do get the odd guy comin' in an' buyin' to treat their special ladies in their lives." Debbie said smiling at the young boy who had come into the shop the other day buying flowers for his mom, he was only a teenager too.

Debbie felt herself blush even more when William said that her assistant manager did a good job and had learned from the best. "Yer goin' to give me a big head if ya keep talkin' like tha' ya know." Debbie said winking at him slightly and then laughing a little. "But thanks, yet another compliment, am obviously doin' very well." She replied, teasing him, flirting with him ever so slightly.

Debbie waited to see if William would indeed agree to go for a coffee with her, so when he agreed, she gave him a bright smile. Although she did feel a little sad when she heard him mention his empty apartment. "Brilliant, I've only got an empty apartment to go to maself, be nice to have some company, seein' as I ain't had much since comin' back here." Debbie said as she nervously fiddled with the keys in her hand.

As she locked the door, her nerves got the better of her, and she ended up dropping the keys. She immediately bent down to pick them up, with her hair falling over her face, clearly showing off her two tattoos.

She then turned round to face him, "Sorry 'bout tha' ma fingers are sometimes clumsy." She said, and then quickly put the keys in her bag and pulled out a scrunchie and quickly swept her hair up into a pony tail and then wrapped her hair around a few times until there was none left and then turned and twisted the scrunchie a few times until it was holding her hair in place like a bun.

"So, ma mysterious helper, may I ask a little more 'bout ya?" She asked with a warm smile, as she headed in the direction of the Starbucks which was about five minutes away from her own shop.

[william]

William liked the nickname that her brother gave her, thinking it kind of suited her. He didn't know alot about her, but knew that she could be a princess, especially with her looks. Then wondered what sort of nickname he would be given. He had gotten a few more rude names from his siblings over the years, but he was only doing what he thought was right for them those few times.

William had noticed Debbie blush when he commented about her assistant manager learning from the best. Well it was true, the show was quaint and amazing at the same time. He truly had to visit here again just to see her at work. William never really needed to come this way anyway, but now had an excuse. He smiled at that thought.

William had to comment again, after Debbie thanked him for another compliment she got. "Well, I am full of them. I only hand them out when I believe that they are needed to be given." This was true for William. Though he hated being nasty to anyone, but that side of him only came out if and when it was necessary. The person who he gets angry really knows that they are on his wrong side then.

As she went to lock the door, William smiled to himself, thinking that it was good to go out for once. Lately he had been thinking too much about his sister, who hadn't really contacted him much since that night they had that fight. William hoped that she was okay. Then when Debbie bent over, after dropping her keys, he got an eye full at her tattoos. William instantly saw the connection with the first tattoo, remembering that she just mentioned that her brother called her Princess. But looking at the second one, William wasn't sure what the connection was, but liked it all the same. "So I see you love tattoos. So do I. We have something in common. But I would love to know more about the significants of the butterfly tattoo."

William was now curious, more curious now about that tattoo. He had many, but had never seen anything like that one. He wondered what Debbie's reply would be. But for now, she wanted to know about her mystery helper.

William walked beside her, following her in the direction she was going. "Well, I am not sure what you want to know. I love to help people, helping them with anything medical related. I don't work as a doctor as such right now, but I love being around people. If that makes sense." How was he going to tell someone he just met that he has the ability to heal people?

Thinking, wanting to change subject, William thought about things that he loved to do. "I do love to play music, and even right it. That is my biggest passion I think. But lately I haven't written anything. No real inspiration." William turned to Debbie, and wondered if there would be an inspiration after tonight.

[debbie]

Debbie could only smile at William as he said he was full of compliments, but only hands them out when he feels they are needed. "Well now, I feel even more special." Debbie replied with a grin. She wasn't exactly big headed, but her brother Brendan had always called her special, Princess and beautiful, so even if she didn't have a particularly high opinion of herself, it was difficult to think anything less when you got such high praise from your brother all the time.

After she had bent down to pick up her dropped keys she heard William mention them, and the fact that they had something in common. She turned to him, "Really? Tha's jus' great." Then he asked her what the significance of the butterfly tattoo was. Really there wasn't one, apart from the fact she had spotted it when getting her Princess tattoo done, and asked for that one as well. She shook her head, "Sorry sweetie, no significance fer the butterfly tattoo, I jus' liked it an' thought it was kinda unusual, ya know?." She explained, feeling silly now that she didn't have any real reason for having the butterfly tattoo.

Debbie listened as William explained that he liked to help people with medical issues but didn't work as a doctor as such. She didn't actually think anything of it, maybe he had taken a first aid course or something. "I understand the workin' around people, I get tha' with workin' in the shop." Debbie explained and smiled at William.

William then went on to explain that he loved playing music and writing it too but had no real inspiration recently. "I think it's damned fantastic ya write yer own songs, funny ya know, ma brother likes to write songs." Debbie said, almost forgetting that Brendan was a fan of music and had written a few songs himself. Of course Brendan hadn't made a career out of it, he just did it for fun, and sang for his family or friends.

[william]

William listened to what Debbie said about the butterfly tattoo. "Oh, well anyway, it is nice. But maybe you should see if it means anything, just as long as it is nothing improper. I don't imagine you having anything like that." When she said it was unusual, William had to agree.

As they walked, he listened to what Debbie said about working with people. "Yes, you would have to deal with people everyday. But I am sure that you have patience with them. You seem to have a lot of it, with the way you arrange the flowers. Looks like you take great care in your work." William remembered what he saw in her shop, and knew in himself that it was true.

Debbie then commented that she thought it was fantastic that William wrote his own songs, and that her brother did the same thing. "Well I am sure that he and I will have to talk more about it then. Most of my friends over the years had no real passion for it like I did, and I felt that that sort of lonely in that part of my life was great to write songs about. But most of what I have written is about love, and all the mushy stuff. Though lately, as I said, there hasn't been any inspiration on that part."

William hoped that he wasn't bringing her down with all this, but he felt he had to say it. "So what does Debbie like to do in her spare time?" He knew that she wouldn't just be arranging flowers all day, every day, but he might be surprised. "I imagine you would love to read a good book maybe?" William knew he was just picking at straws, randomly thinking of what he thought she might like to do.

[debbie]

Debbie nodded her head and smiled at William. "Yeah, maybe I should find out more 'bout it, never thought of doin' tha', but am glad ya like it, cause I sure do." Debbie said and grinned as she remembered the day she spotted the design and said she had to have it. "I'd surely die if it were somethin' improper." Debbie added, and then laughed just because if it did have an improper meaning she'd be embarrassed as hell about it.

Debbie smiled some more as William spoke about having patience, she reckoned she did, she spent quite a lot of time flower arranging. Then she loved flower arranging, so it wasn't exactly a chore to her. "Thanks William, I love flower arrangin', so I guess I do take a lot of time on it, an' of course I love spendin' time with ma customers." Debbie replied, but looking at William and speaking to him, she was pretty certain he was the type of person to have plenty of patience himself.

"Am sure Brendan would love to talk with ya at some point, he's had the same problem himself with gettin' inspiration, maybe ya can both help each other." Debbie said with a grin, she almost said that Brendan would want to check out the new guy in his sister's life, but soon stopped herself, after all they had only just met and they were talking, that was all. "I told him he needs the love of a good woman to give him inspiration, not sure it went down too well after wha' happened to him recently." She added with a slightly sad voice, she hated to think of her brother being down so much.

"Last time he wrote a song, it was 'bout me." Debbie said and blushed slightly. She'd loved it, and when she sang it, she always changed the word from sister to brother. Just thinking about it made her smile. She had been quite young at the time, well, she was certainly a teenager.

Debbie grinned when he mentioned her enjoying a good book, "Yeah I like to read, but I'd say ma main hobbies apart from flower arrangin' of course, are paintin' and horse ridin', oh and listenin' to music." Debbie said with a smile, it had actually been a while since she had gone horse riding. Her and Brendan used to do it all the time when they were younger. It wasn't something she had much time for these days.

They were now at the café Debbie had thought of when she asked William if he wanted a coffee. "Well, we're here, ya still happy with a coffee William? Or would ya rather have somethin' a bit more stronger? Cause there's an awesome bar just next door." Debbie said with a smile, as she held the door to the café with her hand, waiting to hear what William would say he wanted before she went inside.

[william]

When Debbie mentioned her brother not having much inspiration at this time. "You know. He sounds like a guy who might work well with me in that area of writing." William thought about all the songs he wrote when he was seeing other girls and women, and wondered if any of the songs were really worthwhile anymore. "I have kept so many of the songs that I have written, but never did much with them. Thoug it is only a past time, nothing major."

When Debbie mentioned about the last song her brother wrote, he smiled. "I am sure that the song was just as beautiful as you are, and your smile." That smile seemed to light up her face, and everything around them. William knew that she was someone special, even with only speaking with her for a short amount of time. Then when William guessed what she might like, Debbie said that she did enjoy reading, but her main hobbies were painting and horse riding. "You know, I haven't been horse riding in so many years. Must have been when I was on camp, and that seems like a lifetime ago."

Once again music was mentioned, and William made a mental note to ask her what sort of music she was into. Then they were at the cafe. She asked him if he still wanted to go in for a coffee, or want something harder to drink. William thought for a moment, but knew what his answer would be. "You know, I think I want to be sober when talking to you. So let's grab that coffee and a chat." William liked a good drink like the next guy, but he felt that he would also enjoy a good cappacino as well.

William waited for Debbie to go inside the cafe, and took the door as he made his way inside, closing it slowly behind him. He of cause let Debbie pick the table, wondering if she came here often, as it wasn't that far from where she worked.

[debbie]

Debbie nodded her head with a smile when William said that her brother might work well with him in that area of writing. When William said he had written songs and kept them but had done nothing with them, it sparked an interest in her. Debbie was always interested in her brother's music, so this was sparking her interest as well. "Ya know, I sure would love to hear some of those songs sometime. An' Brendan's the same, never made a career out of it, just does it fer fun." Debbie replied, she was certain now that William and Brendan would get on famously and what was more, by looking at him, she was certain he was around ages with Brendan too.

When William commented on the song being beautiful like she was and her smile she felt herself blush furiously. It had been a long, long time since somebody had been able to make Debbie Harris blush like that, in fact, the last person who had likely accomplished that would have been Brendan himself. "Sure is nice of ya to say tha' William, yer makin' me blush." She replied, as she looked away from for a second and shyly bit down on her lip again. It was so unlike Debbie to be like this with a man, she was usually quite open with them, but somehow, with William, it just felt different.

Debbie's face lit up when William said he hadn't been horse riding in many years, maybe now would be the time to change that. "Ya know wha'? We should go horse ridin' together sometime then." Debbie knew of a riding stables not too far from where she lived and she went there frequently as they had massive land at the back of their stables. Of course Debbie then blushed again, because she just realised she had sort of more or less asked William on a date. Wasn't it the guy who was supposed to ask the girl? Then she laughed to herself, don' be so daft Debbie, horse ridin' is hardly a date she thought to herself.

In a way, Debbie was secretly glad William declined the offer of having a stronger drink, as much as Debbie liked a good drink, she felt it would be a far more responsible conversation if they spoke having a coffee, rather than an alcoholic drink. "Yeah, same here to be honest, but wanted to give ya the option." Debbie said with a grin as she walked into the café and then waited for William to enter and close the door behind him.

As Debbie walked in, the waiter behind the counter, looked up and grinned, "Ah the beautiful Debbie, in for your usual?" Debbie looked at him and smiled, "Ya know me too well Nikos." She said, "Ah, never forget pretty face, you know that." He replied and winked at her. Debbie turned to face William with a smile.

"I come here all the time, Nikos is Greek, but he has lived here most of his life, but still has an accent. He knows my order, cappuccino with marshmallows, what would you like William?" She asked him, and as she waited for his reply, Nikos spoke again.

"Finally found yourself a beau then?" Debbie rolled her eyes and blushed furiously again, and looked away from William and stared at Nikos telling him to drop it. He just smirked and winked at her, which made her blush all the more.

[william]

William didn't always make it a point to make people blush, but he knew that he was having some sort of effect on Debbie when she blushed. He hadn't really had anyone in his life for some time, and she was certainly doing her trick to make him like her. Was it her accent ... or her smile, William didn't know. But he certainly was beginning to feel something.

William liked the sound of Debbie suggesting horse riding. "Well, why not. I am sure that it will definately be an experience for me, being someone who hasn't sat on a horse in some time." He thought about himself sitting up there on a big horse, and then falling off of it. Though he hoped that he would be more of a man, and not do that, hoping deep down that he would stay on.

When Debbie ordered her 'usual', William looked up at the drinks menu above the counter. Though knew what he wanted. Looking back at Nickos, William ordered. "I will have a large cappacino, with a chocolate muffin." William loved the look of the muffins in the window of the counter, and knew that if he didn't try one, he would regret it later. He had a bit of a sweet tooth for them.

William began to soon realise that whoever knew Debbie, knew about her as a person. He hoped that he could get to know her a bit now. That is why he decided to get the muffin as well, hoping that he would be there with her for a while at least. When Nickos made the comment about her finding someone, he had to look away from Debbie, and smile. Maybe this guy knew what he saw, before anything happened.

When they sat, William decided to ask a question, which he had put into the back of his mind to ask. "So Debbie, what sort of music are you into? Sounds like you might be into a mixture of all sorts."

[debbie]

Debbie had to laugh when William said he hadn't sat on a horse for some time, truth was, she hadn't been horse riding that recently herself, but she figured it was time she gave it a go again. "Awesome, tha's a da...." She trailed off, she was about to say date, but figured it might chase William away. So she laughed and cleared her throat a bit, "Wha' I mean is, tha's great an' I look forward to it." She couldn't stop blushing around William either, not that it was something she didn't do, it was just nobody had made her blush like that for quite some time.

Debbie made a mental note of asking for William's contact number later, so she could make the arrangements with him to go horse riding with him. It would be fun, of that she was certain.

When William placed his order and asked for a muffin to go with his coffee, Debbie decided to do the same thing and ordered a strawberry muffin. After Nikos had made Debbie blush he turned to the both of them again. "Go take your seats, I bring order over when ready, yes?" He said, and Debbie rolled her eyes at him again but smiled and nodded her head. "Thanks Nikos." She replied as she made her way to a table at the back.

Once they both sat down, William then asked her what kind of music she liked. Suggesting her taste might be a bit of a mixture, which was true. She nodded her head and smiled, "I do have a rather eclectic taste in music, it really jus' depends on ma mood to be honest. Mostly pop, rock, country, jazz, the only music I don' really like is rap, or hip hop, or real heavy hardcore metal." Debbie replied with a bit of a laugh. She did wonder whether to mention not enjoying heavy hardcore metal, because she knew a lot of men liked that kind of music.

However, Debbie wasn't the sort of person to let music tastes stand in the way of a friendship, or anything more if it should develop. Just then Nikos arrived and placed their order on the table, "Please, enjoy." He said and winked at Debbie again before going back to his counter. "Thanks again Nikos." Debbie replied again and this time gave him a smile.