Life's Surprises

The best part of your day was when the sun began to set and painted the sky in brilliant colors of orange, pink, and red. It washed away the labor of your menial, brainless job and gave you something to look forward to every day. After work you would throw your work coat into the backseat of your car, and drive straight to the park so you could walk and enjoy the atmosphere of the evening before going to your empty home.

October was a beautiful month especially, with all the leaves changing colors and crunching under your shoes. The beauty of the cool, crisp, world swept you off your feet. Night came later in October, and a lot of people inhabited the park to enjoy the weather like you did. You knew everyone's faces by now, the routine joggers, gossiping women or men, pet walkers, and the parents with their children. You were all civil to each other and smiled and waved when you passed each other by. It's like a small community that is hidden away in the world, and it was beautiful. You loved your little piece of secrecy, and wouldn't trade it for anything.

You smiled when the familiar sunset washed over the pond, washing the water with its intoxicating colors. The ducks seemed to be swimming in the clouds! How wonderful. The biting cold seeped under your short sleeves and into your skin, making you regret not changing before coming here. Short sleeved shirts were not ideal in this fall weather. No matter. You wouldn't let some cold weather ruin your afternoon!

You rubbed your arms trying to get a little friction and shook off the cold, enjoying the rest of the walk. As usual, you smiled at the joggers, the giggling group of women, and some children waved at you. There was one person you always hoped to get the attention of though. A parent who was tall and had dark hair, and was very handsome. He seemed to always be brooding, but his smile when his son talked to him was always inviting. His son waved at you all the time, but his father would only glance at you to acknowledge your existence. You often kicked yourself for not having the courage to talk to him, but he was kind of hard to approach.

His son wasn't here today though. Mr. Handsome was however, and he was as gloomy as ever. He was holding two cups of coffee and sitting on the bench staring out over the pond. Your heart kind of sank a little bit, the handsome man was waiting on someone, probably a beautiful woman that was deserving of his attention no doubt. He didn't seem like the type to waste his time. You gave him your usual friendly smile and a wave, but this time he actually gave you a slight smile and a nod. Look at us! A smile and a nod. Moving up in the world. You hid your giddy grin as best as you could as you walked by him, trying not to make him think you were a creep.

"Aren't you cold?"
He asked as you walked by.

His sultry voice caused you to freeze in your tracks. "Excuse me?"

"Aren't you cold? It's almost freezing out here"
He observed, standing up and walking up to you.

"You're right about that. I just got off, I didn't expect it to be so cold"
You chuckle sheepishly.

He hands you one of the cups that he was holding. "Here, you seem like the type who likes coffee yes?"

Has he been watching you? Oh, don't make you blush! "Oh wow, thank you. You would be correct I enjoy coffee. Did you get this for me?"

"Yes. You always walk around here, I figured we get to know each other. My son really likes you"
He said nonchalantly.

"I like your son too, he's very friendly"
You laugh, trying not to notice how toned he was in that suit.

"Yeah, he never meets a stranger," the man smiled as he held his hand up for you to shake it, "My name is Aaron."

You waste no time shaking his hand, melting at the warmth and the sheer strength this man possessed. He was firm, but gentle. It immediately sent your thoughts into a naughty place, so you quickly had to compose herself.