Reconnect: The Story of an old flame

Part 14: Meet Me

"At the country bar?" I asked myself as I read the text from Jake. 

He'd told me to meet him at the country bar, which wasn't far from my condo, but it still stumped me. Sure, it had a great patio but I wasn't really a country bar type of girl. 

I purposely waited until it was exactly the time he told me to meet him there before even leaving my condo. I didn't want to be there early, I didn't want to be punctual. I was suddenly very aware of the fact that I was going to meet Jake and even though just the night before we'd gotten to know each other in the biblical sense, it was still a little bit nerve wrecking.  Even after I pulled into the parking lot, I had to remind myself- it's just another day and Jake is just someone you used to know. 

I walked past the main entrance through to where the bar is and out the back door, taking a long look around. Then I spotted Jake and his brother, who was facing in my direction and signaled to Jake as I walked out. 

He turned, a big smile on his face- a really nice smile, and I approached, hoping I looked as cool as I was trying to.

"Hey! I almost thought you were going to bail." He said jokingly and I laughed. 

"Now why would I do that?" I asked, signalling to a waitress.

"I thought maybe you'd had enough of me." He said with a wink and I shrugged. 

"It crossed my mind." I said, obviously teasing. 

"hey!" he said with a shake of the head, pretending to be hurt. 

"I'm joking." I replied.

"I know." He said. A few seconds later I had a beer and a few minutes after that some of his friends showed up and so I dedicated myself to chatting with his brother. I vaguely remembered this brother as we'd been in band together but I hadn't seen him since I graduated. 

For a while I wasn't sure what I was in for- Jake was talking to his friends quite lively, then more would show up and I would participate as much as possible. Still, he and I hardly had any one on one conversation. It wasn't until a good while later that we actually interacted. 

"Hey- come with me to get a beer." He said to me from across the group. I turned and smiled. 

"Okay." And I walked in the direction of the patio door, which he gallantly held open for me. As soon as we were inside, I felt his hands at my hips as he walked me over to the bar and I tried to keep my cool even though the grin on my face may have said otherwise.

"Did you want a beer?" He asked, leaning on the bar and calling the bartender. I nodded, trying to be calm. Why was it that just the night before everything happened so easily, so effortlessly and tonight I felt like I was too tense. Alcohol- that was why. Last night my  buzz made it easy to talk to someone I hadn't seen in years but the reality was and is that I am a very shy person.  I took a deep breath and relaxed. 

There was nothing to be shy about- Jake certainly wasn't being shy. His hand was still at my hip, occasionally running up and down my back, as he ordered. 

"You're being much more level headed tonight." He said, handing me the beer. He looked at me with a smile- God! After all these years he still had that killer smile.  I wondered if I hadn't turned into a puddle at that moment but still I managed to lift my brow as I spoke. 

"I usually am. You're not." I said, noting he was pulling me closer and he laughed. I couldn't help but think it was the youngest laugh I'd ever heard from a 31 year old. It helped put me at ease. 

"No, I'm usually not. I'm really glad you came. For a while there I was seriously afraid you would bail." He said. 

"I told you I would come." I said simply, turning to head back towards the patio but he didn't release me and instead only slowed my pace as he followed.