Forever Rain

Chapter 18

Rain

Breathe, Rain, breathe. Parked outside of the address Damon sent to me, I'm still trying to direct my legs to exit the car, but it's disobeying my commands. I've even dressed in a pair of skinny jeans and flat sandals, in case I need to make a run for it tonight. It's cowardice, I know, but how do you have this conversation after five long years? There is so much at stake.

I finally find strength and force myself out the car. The summer air is warm with soft winds, swirling aromatic smells of food through the night breeze. I've been down this street lined with countless restaurants, but never realized there was a donut shop here.

Following the address on the buildings, I get closer to my destination, just as Damon comes into view, illuminated by the streetlamp and reminiscent of the setting sun. The thin horizon of purple and pink, which blends up to dark skies and a starry night behind him grips my chest with flutters. How can this boy, this man, still make me feel this way?

As I approach, his smile becomes visible, and I find myself wanting to trace my fingers along the structure of his jaw. The color of his outfit matches mine, blue denim jeans and a crisp, white button up shirt with the sleeves rolled casually to his forearms, revealing slight veins that run beneath his sleeves. Jesus, just when I thought he couldn't look any better than the day I first met him.

"Hi. I didn't know there was a donut place here," I greet him with ease, not sounding as nervous as I feel. I see many restaurants, but none casual enough to be a simple bakery.

"Well, you asked to go out for donuts, and they do have donuts here." He easily takes my hand and leads me a few doors down, the light from a bustling restaurant becoming imminent. I quickly withdraw my hand, not knowing how he could have done so with no hesitation.

He opens the door and motions for me to walk in, and although I could have run, I decided to enter like a mature woman. The restaurant is rustic but modern with very high ceilings, the open kitchen accommodated by bar seatings filling the atmosphere with wonderful scents of herbs and butter. Thankfully, I have on a cotton, peplum blouse, slightly elevating my casual outfit. I did expect a donut shop, after all.

"Table for two, Welding." The hostess smiles sweetly at Damon, then darts her eyes between me and him. I'm sure she's debating on whether or not she should slip him her number, and I don't blame her in the least bit.

The restaurant is crowded as we weave our way through, arriving at a table with the large floor to ceiling window that overlooks the sidewalk and street. Damon pulls out a chair for me, and I take my seat, as he settles in the chair across from me. The hostess leaves us the menus after a few words of welcoming and returns to her post.

"I feel like I've been defrauded by you." I really was not expecting this to feel so much like a...date.

The waiter comes over and explains the menu, asking for our drinks.

"I'll have whatever beer you have on tap. Rain, do you still not drink or would you like a glass of wine?"

"No, just an iced tea for me, please."

The waiter gives me a pleasant smile and leaves to retrieve our drinks.

"Still no alcohol, huh? Some things never change." Things like his stormy blue eyes don't change, but a lot has changed.

"Actually I drink, but not when I have to drive. People change, Damon." More than you can possibly imagine.

He crosses his arms over his chest, analyzing me with his eyes. Why does he do that? It makes me feel as though he is trying to read my mind, and it is not something I want to be read right now, or ever.