Shadows Of The Past

Chapter Ten

Ryan Miller was staring at her phone screen. He could swear that his heart warmed only at reading the name on phone display. A text from Kayla Claire Winston. He opened the message and immediately and automatically a foolish grin spread across his face.

"Hi. I think seven will do tomorrow. If it suits you."

Just to the point...he thought. At least, she gave him an affirmative response.

So, Ms. Winston has finally agreed for a personal outing – no business, only a pleasure date. It was a pleasant way of ending a tiresome day. He immediately replied to this sweet message.

At first, he had a sudden urge to call her and hear her voice, but music at the Dew was raising every second. He was having a bottle of Belgian Golden Ale with James. He always kept his promise and he was here to shake off the week's stress.

"Seven is perfect. I shall 've you picked up. Night"

"Thanks. See you then. Night"

"You know, Men look silly when they smile foolishly like this." James spoke, studying his friend.

Ryan just looked at his friend and his grin spread across more broadly.

"What's the matter?" James demanded frowning

"Tomorrow is going to be a lucky day for me, pal. I'm going on a date tomorrow with Kayla Winston" he laughed when he saw James jaw dropped in surprise and his fork of Fresh Maine Lobster Rolls suspended in mid-air.

"Kayla Winston you said?" he asked raising his eyebrow.

"You heard it right brother. I'm taking her out for a date"

James face contained a mixture of amusement and triumphant smile.

"I'm glad you haven't completely lost your eyesight and that your brain and heart are still working normal. I think Samantha going to shell out thousand bucks of her pockets."

It was Ryan's time to get astonished

"How did you know it when I wasn't sure of it?"

A satisfied grin spread over his face. "Years of practice." He flashed his set of perfect white teeth. "Ryan, remember the first day you met Kayla?"

He only nodded, remembering the first time when he saw her at her office. He still had a fresh memory of it as it happened just yesterday.

"It was the same instant which told us that you guys were meant together. I saw you, you were...like a lost child looking only for a window. And believe me, she was the window, giving you light."

"You sound philosophical." Ryan stated dryly "And you said 'us'?"

"I say what I see. I mean myself, Kate and Samantha." he snapped

"Sounds everyone was certain of this." he mused

James only smiled at him.

"Kayla is a rare catch" he said, focusing on the rolls kept in front of him "She is a perfect balance of mind and soul. And she is not Veronica. So that's a plus" he said, taking another sip of his drink.

Ryan now thought about her. He had always felt a strange and strong pull towards her. Everything about her, has attracted him. But, to his surprise, though Kayla Winston was a very beautiful woman, her physical trails came into his notice much later. It was the emotional surge that blinded him. Even before he had come close to her, spoken to her – he already knew, there was much more in her. Her perfect use of her intellect could not go unnoticed.