"Then why are you getting so defensive?" he replied, raising his eyebrows. "Think about it, Leigh. Why would you—an attractive, intelligent woman with plenty to offer—set your sights on someone who's completely emotionally unavailable? It doesn't take Dr. Phil to figure out it's because you're afraid. And you're mad at me right now because I was your crutch, you could claim to be in love with me and it was completely safe—you weren't hiding from love because you were afraid of getting hurt again, you were just waiting around on a lost cause. Now you can't hide behind me anymore."
Glaring at him, she said, "Oh, now that you're all recovered you're an expert?"
"Hardly," he replied. "I'm just trying to snap you out of this. There's no reason for this, Leigh."
"I'm not talking about this here," she stated.
"Then meet me later," he replied. "We can go out for a drink or something."
Frowning, she said, "That seems like a bad idea."
Shrugging carelessly, he said, "So is you leaving. We're going to talk this out whether you like it or not."
"How's Julie going to feel about you going for drinks with me?"
Grimacing slightly, he said, "I'll worry about that. You just… call me after the interview and tell me where you want to meet up."
Leigh glanced back at the table where Julie still sat doing tartar sauces, although her attention was obviously divided between doing the tartar sauces and trying desperately to keep an eye on Aaron and Leigh. Finally, albeit reluctantly, she said, "Fine. We'll go out for drinks. I'll call you after the interview. But I'm warning you now, I don't want to talk about Ryan."
Without agreeing or arguing, Aaron merely held her gaze for a moment and then turned around and walked back behind the counter.
Leigh hesitated for just a second, then she finally made her way out the door.
As soon as Leigh was out of sight, Julie stood up, leaving the bowl of tartar sauce on the table, and walked over to Aaron.
"So, what was all that?"
"Did you hear any of it?"
Shaking her head, she looked vaguely frustrated as she said, "You two were speaking in infuriated whispers; I couldn't really follow."
Sighing, he said, "Don't be mad."
Groaning, she said, "Don't start a sentence with those words."
"I'm going to go out for drinks with Leigh tonight."
Raising her eyebrows, Julie felt a little floored, but she couldn't think of any appropriate words to say.
Sighing, he said, "Look, I'll fill you in on everything later, but being Leigh's best friend is not without its perks; I know things about her that you don't. Leigh knew my story, and I know hers, and while I wasn't really into those psych classes when I was taking them, I think a little bit of that bullshit might actually apply in the real world. I'm going to try to talk to her."
Since she couldn't very well argue, she forced a wordless nod and attempted an expression that at least resembled understanding and encouragement.
"Is that okay?" he asked, although his mind was obviously made up and he was just being polite.
Shrugging, she managed to say, "If you think it's a good idea to go out for drinks with the girl who thinks she's in love with you… by all means, I'm not going to question you."
"It isn't like that," he said, obviously ready to defend himself.
"I know," she said quickly. Then, offering a little smile and taking his hand, she said, "Aaron, I trust you completely. It isn't that. I just… I don't want you to give Leigh the wrong idea. She's had her feelings stepped on enough through all this."
Smiling a little, he tugged her close and looked down at her, brushing her hair back and giving her a quick kiss. "You're very understanding."
"Well, I learn from the best," she teased.
Frowning, he said gravely, "I thought I was the best."
Chuckling, she swatted him lightly in the stomach. "I'm going to go finish the tartar sauce, Mr. Understanding."