Fate Interrupted

23. I Need You

Gio

It's been almost two months since that night at the club. I haven't bumped into Ren downtown or at the gym. I haven't searched for her on Facebook to see what she's doing, and she hasn't tried to text or call me. I should be happy about that—it's what I told her to do—but I'm not. I feel miserable about it.

At a minimum, she still crosses my mind at least a few times a day, and she almost always dances through my mind right before I fall asleep. But I haven't dreamt about her for months now, or at least not that I remember. That is, not until last night. Last night, I had a bad dream that something terrible happened to her. She was desperately calling for me, but I didn't know where she was; I couldn't get to her in time. At 4 am, I woke up in a sweat, her scream still in my ear. I couldn't shake it.

I went to the gym and looked in the window during the hip-hop dance class she used to take, hoping I'd see her so I'd know she was okay. But she wasn't there. I've picked up my phone a few times, itching to text her, but that would be opening a door that should remain closed.

Charlie's in town for my birthday and has taken me out to the hottest new place in town. But my lack of sleep from that dream is finally catching up to me, and it's all I can do not to be rude and yawn at the dinner table. I know it's the eve of my birthday and all, but I'm already fantasizing about being in bed.

Our waiter sets the appetizer we ordered in the center of the table. Using my fork, I pile a costini high with the mixture and take a bite. Mmm. It's really good. I wish I could enjoy it more, but on top of feeling tired, I'm irritated.

I wanted to go out, just the two of us, but for some reason, Charlie wanted to 'treat me' and surprised me with a double date. Dani and... I forget the other one's name. They're nice and whatever, but just about as fake as they come. All we've been talking about is Brittney Spears going crazy, some book called Twilight, and whoever Brangelina is. Fuck me. My eyes lose focus, and I'm just staring into the middle distance.

An unnerving sensation settles over me... I feel watched.

My eyes slide to the right across the aisle and suddenly crash right into Ren's, sending a quick taser-like jolt to my system. Fuck! But then, a big wave of relief washes me.

Thank God she's okay.

I shake my head. I've been so idiotic to worry so much over some stupid dream. She snaps her eyes away from me, takes a big gulp of her wine, and then hides her face in her menu.

My eyes fixate on the rest of her. She's wearing a green velvet dress that covers only one shoulder, highlighting the sexy delicateness of the other. The angled neckline draws my eye further down to the curve of her chest, waist, hip, and thi-ee-igh.

Jesus! 

Even though my eyes are thoroughly relishing the sight of how short her dress is, my stomach turns in on itself. I want her to go home right now and change it to something more... more... well not like that. Not when she's out with some other guy. Some guy like... fuck. Bryce. Of course. Of course, she's here with him.  I close my eyes and rub them, trying to rub out the image.

Charlie's voice rings out over the table, "Hey, what's wrong, man? You got something in your eye?"

"No, no. I'm fine," I sigh. "I'm just tired."

I have to try not to look over there. She's alive and obviously moving on, and I need to let her do that. But it's not as easy as it sounds. It's just too goddamn tempting. My eyes delight in catching a glimpse of Ren crossing her long legs the other way.

"Giovanni?"

I snap my attention back to Dani. "Huh?"

She starts talking to me about something she saw on Jerry Shore. My mind is going numb listening to her and I strain to give her my full focus.