Changing colours and falling leaves; only nature and desperate young men repeat themselves in their predictability.
Corralled by a memory captured in an alluring scent, he twisted his head to see who had passed his table. All he witnessed were wisps of blond hair and flashes of her black dress. Those golden locks waved through the crowded bar, past a throng of suited men. Each, in turn, jerked their chins to the side and watched her stride by. In times past, he would have followed her strut to see where she landed.
Seasons had lapsed — since he’d had a kindred urge. Had he matured or, perhaps, just grown tired? The last time he’d tracked such an appetite, it led him to hopeless slavery of his own lust. It was a passion that morphed into love, one he barely wanted to recall. He’d rarely ventured out since she’d left him.
Friends had dragged him here to celebrate an occasion, and he was flung into a familiar place where phantom gaiety was served in a bottle. He excused himself from their laughter and made his way to the door. A cool breath of fall air might clear his head and put him in a better mood. He stepped into the night and stood under the misty haze of an orange lamp — and there she was.
Standing alone near a sign that read, ‘Valet,’ her black dress framed her sleek figure as she peered down that dimly lit street. He pulled his hands out of his pockets and ventured over.
“Quite the party in there, we’ve never met; my name is Paul. Do you know the bride-to-be or the groom?”
“Neither,” she laughed. “I was supposed to meet a friend, but I didn’t know there was more than one bar in town with the same logo painted on the front. My name is Lynn,” she smiled warmly and extended her hand.
Her eyes captured his, a second before her scent traced a path to another reflex. “You probably wanted that place in the east end. I’ve made the same mistake,” he chuckled. Her phone rang, and she turned to answer. When she returned, a tiny frown had curled around her red lips.
“Well… my plans have changed. Looks like I’ll just be heading home,” and as she spoke, the valet pulled up with her car.
He thought quickly, “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. Would you like to go for a bite to eat?”
Lynn paused before she replied,” What about your party?”
“They’ll hardly miss me. I barely know the couple and I came alone.”
Lynn flashed an approving smile and motioned to her car, “Shall we, Paul? Are you good at giving directions? I’m new in this city, and I suck at figuring out all the silly street signs.”
He laughed as he nestled into the passenger seat. As she closed the door, her essence tried to overpower his logic in that subtle and familiar way. He’d promised himself months ago he would never again let his nose lead him astray. He’d take a chance that this time — it wouldn’t.