love is a ghost you can't control.

Barry was talking to Iris about this whole thing, of xourse she didn't know he was The Flash. Only Eddie and Joe knew, apart from everyone at S.T.A.R labs. He let out a sigh, "are you nervous too Ber? You know you don't have to be, our oldest friend is coming home to us that's totally exciting right?" She couldn't t wait to see Riley again.

Riley kind of wondered if she was the only nervous one right now. Once inside, she glanced around, smiling when she spotted Iris. She was talking to someone seated at the table, his back turned away from her. That really blindsided her. She wasn't sure if Barry was going to be here, and she couldn't see his face, so she had no idea that she was about to see both of her friends, not just one. She started towards the table.

Barry ran a hand through his hair and laughed at something Iris had said, "oh yeah, well, maybe I'll find someone on the next blind date you set me up on." Barry looked at Iris when she squeaked and ran over to hug someone he turned around and smiled when he saw Riley, standing up he walked over with Iris. "Hey, Riley long time no see"

Riley smiled, hugging Iris back when she noticed her and ran over to hug her. "It's so good to see you! How long have you been back?" Her friend exclaimed. "A couple of weeks, give or take." She said as they both pulled away. Moments later, Riley heard another voice. She hadn't noticed Barry straight away seeing as Iris had rushed over to hug her and all. She threw her arms around him and gave him a hug too. "Iris didn't tell me you were going to be here!"

Barry was so happy to see Riley back, he watched as they interacted, he hugged her back when Riley wrapped her arms around him. "She figured it's be a nice surprises hope it was!" He chuckled. He took a good look at her, she looked amazing "you look great by the way!"

"It most definitely was." Riley said with a smile as she pulled back. She definitely was surprised to see Barry. She'd wondered if Iris would tell him that she was back or not, but she hadn't been sure. She was glad that she got to see both of her friends and, for the first time since she'd gotten back, she was kind of glad to be back in Central City. "Thanks, so do you." She smiled.

Barry was grinning from ear to ear and walked back to their table, "let's catch up then? We have a lot to talk about" be chuckled. He knew they would take a bit to catch her up on everything that's happened in Central City including the death of his mother. He didn't want to talk about that it was hard just thinking about it. "Let's start by what brings you back and why?" He asked Riley with a smile.

Riley smiled. "Yeah, I guess we do." She said, following the others back to their table. She didn't really realize just how much she'd missed in the last ten or so years. A lot had changed, she figured that was the case seeing as it had been an entire decade, but it was more than she actually realized. "Just figured it was about time I came back." She said, shrugging her shoulders. There was more to it, but it was something that she didn't really want to get into right now.

Barry nodded and listened to Riley he forgetten how contagious her smile was. Barry wondered why she moved back Riley wasn't specific. "Well, it's really nice to have you back we did miss you." Barry smiled, "order whatever you want its on me, I insist" he smiled.

Riley knew that she wasn't being specific. In fact, she was kind of really vague, but there were just certain things that she didn't want to get into right now. "It's nice to be back." She said with a smile. "And I missed you guys too." She really had. Even though they'd lost contact, that didn't mean that she hadn't at least thought about her old friends. "Are you sure?"

Barry wasn't going to grill his friend ahe had just gotten in town he wanted to get to know hwr. He was sure Riley had changed some since he last seen her, "we're glad to hear it, and it's fine call it a welcome home thing" he chuckled. He thought Riley was really cute, he was sure she probably was seeing someone but he didn't want to be intrusive so he wasn't going to ask.

Riley smiled. "Alright, if you insist." She said. "Technically I'm on the clock, so what would you like?" Iris asked her. "Just a black coffee, two sugars. I know, kind of boring." Riley laughed. She wasn't seeing anyone, not anymore. In fact, that was her reason for coming back to Central City. She'd wanted to, no needed to, get as far away as she possibly could. Being in a city meant it would be harder to find her as well. Or she hoped that was the case. "So what have you been up to in the last ten or so years?" She asked curiously.

Barry chuckled,"I'll have my usual please." He looked over at Riley and smiled, "I wouldn't call it boring, just classic." Barry sighed softly and looked at Riley. Barry shrugged his shoulders, "school and now working as CSI for The Central City police." He smiled and nodded, "what about you? What do you do?" So far, she hasn't really said much and it made him curious why she wasn't being open with them. Sure, it's been ten years and maybe he shouldn't put so much pressure on her.

Riley knew that she was being kind of vague, she was kind of being really obvious about it too, and there was a reason for that. "Yeah, I guess it is." She said, smiling slightly. "A CSI, huh? That's cool. I'm a counselor, or I was, I guess, for war veterans. I haven't really found a job here just yet, I've just been working part-time at a diner a couple of blocks from my apartment. It's only temporary though." She said, shrugging her shoulders.

Barry listened carefully to what she was saying and nodded every so often, "yeah, I like it." That was an understatement he loved his job and apart from that S.T.A.R labs and being the Flash everything seemed to be going great for Barry. He didn't have time to date anyway, between two jobs and being a superhero it gives him no free time. "Oh really? I'll ask around and see of anyone is looking for a counselor." He smiled, Barry wantwd to help Riley in anyway he could. He was just a good person but helping old friends is sometning he's always do.

Riley smiled. "That would be great actually, thanks." She said. She'd only been back in Central City for a few weeks now, so she hoped to find something soon. The diner was temporary, and she really didn't like working late night shifts anyway. Not when she had to walk home super late at night. Of course, she knew now that she should probably hail a taxi or something instead.

Barry nodded, "not a problem." Barry wanted to help out as much as possible "so do you live near this cafe or is it far?" He already knew where she lived but he wasn't about to spill his secret to Riley. He hasn't even told Iris and he wasn't planning on it. He didn't want to put any of his close friends in danger.

"My apartment's not too far from here." Riley said. "It could be closer, but it wasn't too much of a hike." She, of course, didn't realize that he already knew the answer to that question seeing as he already knew where she lived. She didn't realize that she wasn't the only one harboring secrets.

Barry nodded, "good to know, we'll have to throw you a welcome home party sometime just the three of us." Iris came back with their orders, "enjoy. . So have you seen The Flash in action yet? He's such a great guy don't you think?" Barry chuckled, he found it amusing how Iris always talked about the Flash.

Riley smiled. "That'd be fun." She said. She was glad to be back in Central City. It didn't feel so strange anymore now that she'd gotten to talking to her old friends. It felt more normal, and she was a bit more at ease. She smiled when Iris returned with their orders. "Thanks." She said. "As a matter of fact I have. You're right, he's definitely a great guy."