‘Are you ready?’

The fresh air cuts my breath as we exit the building, but then it chases the lingering haze away and I feel I’m able to breath more freely. Casting a glance next to me I notice she’s deep in her thoughts, the morning cold instantly replaces the paleness for a slight pink on her cheeks.

I hold the door of the charming bar for her with a small smile. I haven’t been here since I arrived and yet it feels like I was here yesterday. Everything looks exactly the same from the wooden paneling to the yellow placemats, the lamps against the walls spreading a warm glow. Even the waiters are the same. We used to come here all the time, for breakfast or during the weekends for long brunches or their Jazz nights. At this early Sunday morning it’s still quiet and our usual table next to the window is waiting for us. Since there is no one it’s no wonder the waiter shows up at our table immediately. ‘They didn’t change the menu.’ Tina tells me when I reach for the menu.

‘In that case I’ll go for the usual.’ We place our orders and the waiter disappears again. ‘Do you come here often?’

‘No I was here only a few times, usually with my laptop, trying to work on the script.’

‘How is your new script going?’

‘Not.’ She cuts the topic and starts fidgeting with the paper napkin, clearly waiting for me to start the announced talk. Her statement yesterday left me speechless. I was hoping to hear similar words for some time because it would mean there would be something left to work with, but when I heard them yesterday, it took me off guard. Just as I know I will take her off guard when I finally open up to her. ‘Did you mean what you said yesterday?’

She stops fidgeting and inhales deeply. ‘I did. It maybe wasn’t the best moment. But I meant every word.’

‘Would you ever come back to LA if I didn’t come here?’

‘If you would have given me the slightest signal…any kind of signal that you were ready, I would, in a heartbeat.’ The look in her eyes leaves no doubt that she would. For months I have been waiting for her to make the first move, but now I wonder if that was justified after I told her I need time and space and after ignoring all her attempts to reach out to me in the first month.