This Can't Be Real

Chapter 16

I'm trying my hardest to close the front door quietly the next morning so I don't wake Jess up. It's just past eight in the morning and after falling asleep on the couch in Joe's arms, I'd like nothing more than to crawl into my comfy bed and sleep for a while.

"Leigh," Jess's voice calls out to me from the living room, "is that you?"

I turn on the spot and stare at the opened living room door. "Yeah," I answer.

I set my keys down on the side table and walk into the living room. It doesn't take long for my eyes to fall on the two occupants sitting next to each other on the couch opposite from where I'm standing. One is Jess and the other is a male I've not seen before.

His dark brown hair - close to black - is slicked back and seems to be tied back in a small ponytail, and shows off his sharp jawline. His brown eyes seem to bore into me when he sees me step into the room, and his posture relaxes a bit more. His shoulders fall under his long sleeved black shirt that's opened at the collar and he angles his body so he's facing away from Jess.

I can't quite put my finger on it, but I think I've seen him before. I just have no idea as to where I've seen him.

"Have fun last night?" Jess asks, breaking the silence. 

I look away from the male and return Jess's given smile. "I did," I nod.

"That's good." She turns to the male and places a hand on his thigh. "Leigh, I'd like you to meet Thom. Thom, this is my best friend Leigh."

"Leigh," he repeats, his voice low and husk.

I look at him and have to stop myself from frowning. His voice . . . I know that voice. I know I know that voice. I know I know him. I just can't think as to where I know him from.

"Y-eah," I draw out. I shake my head and point to the door. "I'm just going to go and- yeah."

I turn on the spot and walk out of the room.

"Nice meeting you, Leigh." Thom calls out to me.

I stop just at the bottom of the stairs and look back at the living room.

"Yeah, same here," I reply.

I walk quickly up the stairs and almost run to my bedroom, practically slamming the door shut when I get into the room. My breathing is heavy and my hands are firmly placed on the door.

I don't know why but I've seen him before. His name I don't know, but his face . . . I can't quite put my finger on it.

I need to find out where I've seen him before.

                                        * * *

"So, where did you meet Thom?"

I close the car door and get comfy on the leather seat of Jess's new BMW X4. I wasn't aware that Jess was getting a new car, so it came as a shock to me when she said we were going to pick it up. I didn't think she was a a me fan but as soon as I saw the car, I knew whyIt's got that new car smell that I like and everything is new, clean, and shiny.

I love it.

"I met him at a work's night out," she confesses while putting her seatbelt on.

I nod, following her lead and putting my seatbelt on. "I see."

"I know I'd never date a guy that I met on a work's night out . . . but he's different."

"He does seem to be different," I mutter while looking out the window as the car begins to move.