Running in Circles - Lexie Grey x OC

Sounds of Silence

The sounds of bottles and glasses landing on the bar counter filled the air. Across the room, darts struck the wall, missing the rubber board entirely and drawing a frustrated curse from the bartender as the cheering regulars laughed. Conversations blended with music from a local acoustic band, adding to the warmth of the Friday night crowd.

Their drinks were nearly empty, yet neither of them seemed interested in finishing them. The glasses had become little more than props, excuses to keep talking while they remained tucked away in their own corner of the world beneath the yellow overhead lights.

Eric had agreed to only three questions. Somehow, they had long surpassed three. Yet he was still there. Sitting beside her. Listening.

Lexie spoke animatedly, moving from one story to another with effortless enthusiasm. Eric had never been much of a conversationalist. Usually, he tapped out of personal conversations long before they ended, exhausted by the effort of keeping them going.

But that night was different, He found himself watching her, listening to her voice, watching the way her eyes lit up whenever she laughed.

Eric leaned against the counter, slightly dizzy. His thoughts felt hazy, softened by the alcohol, yet his focus remained fixed on the woman in front of him. Whatever had happened earlier that day had long since faded from memory.

His head rested against his hand as he listened. Later, he wouldn't be able to recall the details of her stories, not word for word, but he remembered how they felt.

The pull of her smile.

The sparkle in her eyes.

The faint flush in her cheeks.

He remembered allowing himself to be drawn in, willingly surrendering to it.

Lexie's smile was contagious, and Eric found himself intoxicated—not because of the liquor.

Because of her.

She was a bright light.

A breath of fresh air.

Cold rain in the middle of summer.

Spring after a long winter.

Unexpectedly addictive.

Effortlessly calming.

He couldn't look away.

A faint smile lingered on his face as he followed every curve of her lips and the glimmer in her hazel eyes, almost green whenever the light caught them just right.

Without thinking, Lexie ran her fingers through his messy hair, gently combing it back into place. The gesture seemed instinctive, unconscious. She wasn't used to seeing him this relaxed.

Eric let her.

Normally, his hair was always neat and perfectly combed. But tonight he sat slouched against the bar, sleeves rolled up, the top button of his shirt undone.

Comfortable.

Carefree.

Eventually, Lexie noticed the way he was staring at her. The hopelessly dumbstruck smile on his face. A flustered grin tugged at her lips, and she quickly pulled her hands away. She could have sworn she heard him groan in protest before he finished the last of his drink.