Strange Encounter

Chapter 2

The bar was dark, smoky and crowded. Why was she even here? Sally told her she'd have a good time but standing in this deafening noise, with every male hitting on her, was making her skin crawl. She stood at the far corner of the bar, nursing the same Pepsi she ordered an hour ago. Unbeknownst to her, her stranger was watching her yet again.

William sat at the far end of the entrance, watching people come and go, trying to forget his mystery woman from the café until she walked in with another girl about an hour ago. It was like he conjured her appearance with his thoughts and she was more stunning than he remembered. She looked ethereal, unreal in the dim light. Her chocolate colored hair was tied in a ponytail. From the distance, he could see her facial bones were delicately carved, her mouth full, kissable. Her blouse hugged her firm breast and her black jeans outlined a slim waist which flared into agilely, rounded hips. He shifted in his chair to calm his body down. He watched her order her drink and spoke to her friend briefly. Her friend disappeared on the dance floor. Once she was alone, men kept approaching her but she would turn them away. He waited to make his move as he watched another victim to her good looks approach.

"Hi Riley", a voice from behind her made her jump and almost spill her drink. A soft gasp escaped her as she turned to stare into familiar green eyes. "Robbie," his name came out more like a whisper, barely audible. She hadn't seen him since the day she walked in on him and whatever that tramps name was he was wearing. The sickening feeling in her stomach returned along with the pain. Two years she gave to this man. She still wasn't fully over him, or so she thought, and now he reappears as if they were old friends. He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on her cheek. She had imagined this reunion, replayed different scenarios in her head and never once did she think she would feel this revulsion. She had cried so many nights believing she was still in love with him but looking at him now, she couldn't see what the attraction was.

Robbie was handsome with his soft black, shoulder length hair and green eyes. The scar over his left eye gave him a rugged look even though he got it when he was six from falling out of his bunk bed. His purple t shirt and blue jeans hugged his athletic frame. Robbie enjoyed working out and talking about himself more than anything else, except women.

"How you been?" His Brooklyn accent was more noticeable tonight. Did he always talk like that? She found it annoying tonight when she used to think it sexy.

"I've been great. Working hard, busy, busy, busy." She watched him scan the room, obviously looking at the other women. Again, she thought to herself if he was always like that. "And you?"

He reached out and grabbed her right hand. "Miserable, baby. I've missed you."

How dare he? Her brows shots up in surprise while she snatched her hand away. "Glad to hear it. You don't know what you've got until it's gone."

"Damn right, baby. I want you back."

She almost choked on her drink. Riley gave an unladylike snort. "Robbie, I haven't seen you in a year and now you just show up and talk about getting back together." She shook her head. "Do you not remember what happened the last time we saw each other?"

"I know, baby. I don't know what came over me. I screwed up."

"Screwed up or screwed her?" He had the decency to lower his head. "It's been a year!"

"I knew you needed time and space. I'll make it up to you."

Riley wanted to just disappear, be anywhere else but here. "Robbie, I've moved on."

William could tell his damsel was in distress and made his way towards her.

"Really? Moved on, huh?" he said with a smirk. "I know you. You probably work 24/7 and never have time for anyone. You miss me. Admit it." He reached out to touch her. Riley jumped back and bumped into something solid but it wasn't a wall.