Just Fall

Chapter Five

Diane stood outside in the courtyard, admiring the little LED lights that adorned the whole area. Against the dark trees and the night, they reminded her of stars. Little pinholes of light that held secrets of the universe. Maybe they held the secret of how she was gonna be a normal woman again. A normal woman who didn't get punched in the feels every time there's a random mention or memory of her dead husband. It's been two years since she had to say goodbye to him, but sometimes it just felt like yesterday they were arguing over their wedding song. Concept of time was a tricky beast. Watching another couple sit in the courtyard, she was dying for a cigarette. Or valium or any kind of vice to keep her from being fragile right now. She hated herself for it. No one wants to coddle a grown woman just because she was a young widow. She wasn't the carefree woman of the past and it was well known now. Her mom, though rarely right about anything in her life, was right about one thing she often said to her when she was young. Shit changes.

She sensed someone walking up to her. With a protected smile, she turned around. "I'm alright G--" Her words froze. It so wasn't Gina. More like a tall, cryptic male with a face that should've been in a museum next to other works of art. Sure, he looked unassuming with his hands in his pockets, but those peepers of his seemed packed with temptation. She stepped back just trying to fit all of him into her view. "Oh, hi, um Doctor..."

He shook his head. "Please, call me Will. I'm not as formal as your best friend would imply." Aware she was still staring at him, he felt prompted to speak. "Sorry, I was concerned when you left. Wanted to just know you were okay."

Diane's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing. "Did Gina send you out here?"

"No, not at all."

Her eyes softened, yet still cautious to his presence. Who comes out to check on a dramatic stranger? She wished she saw something less than genuine in him as he stood before her, but at the moment, there was nothing but...a concerned man.

Ugh. He's a doctor. They always think something is wrong with somebody.

"Oh, I'm fine," her voice was complacent. "Just needed a little air, that's all."

"You're not big on crowds?"

She nodded and looked back towards the courtyard. "No, kinda one on one person myself." Right after it left her mouth, she regretted it. That wasn't supposed to be an invitation.

Will smiled. "I can understand that. Besides, I'm familiar with Derek's family and they can be a bit rowdy. Especially his younger brother."

She scoffed thinking of the mouth-breather. "You mean the one who owns a Hooter franchise?"

Amusement curved one side of his mouth. "Yeah, the one who's been staring at you all night."

Great. Even he could see it. She folded her arms and rolled her eyes. "Yep, I guess that's the one. Now you kinda know why I needed some fresh air."

He couldn't blame her. Derek's brothers were all over the spectrum in terms of socially inept. He supposed Derek should've considered himself lucky he had some semblance of grace. At least enough for some woman to want to marry him. "I guess I can't fault you there."

She rubbed her arms as a chilly wind casually blew across them. "How did you know he was staring at me all night?"

"Because I've been staring at you all night, Ms. Howerton. I hope you'll forgive me, but I've been taken aback at not only your appearance but the little things I've learned about you I find very intriguing."

Diane felt her cheeks flush and with a nervous scoff, shook her head. But his gaze was unshakable. She couldn't escape it, but for a second, she also didn't want to break free.