When The Stars Align

Chapter 7

"You should have gone alone." I told her as I walked into her car. Belle smiled.

"Andrea it's just this time."

"Just this time. I am going to see him again, not to mention I am lying to Alex again."

"Kind of. It's true you are going out with me." Belle commented.

"To meet two guys at a club." I said. Belle laughed and I felt a knot in my stomach as I anticipated my meeting with James once again.

The Roxy was packed. Belle parked her car in the parking lot, and we walked to the door. Inside we began to look around trying to find James and Lars in the middle of that sea of people until I spotted James. It seemed like we were connected by a chord, we always knew where to find each other and our eyes met in the middle of that confused and noisy place. I stared at him not being able to speak and warn Belle I had found them while she was still looking around. He opened a smile and I smiled back.

"They're over there." I finally said and we both walked up to them. James was dressed in old faded blue jeans and flannel. He looked amazing.

"Hi." I said when I was close to him. James opened his smile even more letting his perfect teeth show.

"Hi." He said almost as a whisper.

"What do you ladies want to have?" Lars offered.

"Beer." James and I said at the same time.

"Ladies James!! I didn't know you fit the category." Lars said and we laughed.

"It was for her." He explained.

"I'll have beer." I said. Lars disappeared to search for our drinks coming back a couple of minutes later holding four bottles of beer in his hands.

"I propose a toast." He said. We all raised our beers. "Well, to fucking life and happiness." He said and we all hit our bottles.

"My turn." James said. I looked at him and our eyes touched making the world stop for instants. "Well, to whatever the future brings." He said and we hit our bottles again. I felt his eyes burning on me, but I tried to avoid his look. I was too mesmerized by him, too overwhelmed by the sudden awaken of ancient feelings. Lars grabbed Belle's hand and pulled her to dance. They were getting along and playing seduction game. Somehow I felt like I would come back home in a cab. We stood side by side a bit clueless of what to tell. I wanted to talk to him, but I couldn't find a subject then we turned around at the same time and spoke at the same time, then we just laughed.

"I am sorry, you first." I told him.

"No...no...you first." He said. I just shook my head. An awkward silence took care of us for seconds again but then James spoke. "They are getting along." He said pointing at Lars and Belle dancing closer and closer.

"Belle is single and if he is too then..." I said.

"He's got no one." James said. Then he looked at me serious. "Did you lie to come here?"

"Kind of. I said I was going out for a drink with Belle, I omitted the rest. You?"

"The same." He said looking at the dance floor again. I saw Belle and Lars kissing and laughed.

"Seems like I have to take a cab back home." I commented.

"I can take you." He offered.

"You can't." I said remembering Alex could see me arrive in a stranger's car. James was far from being dumb.

"I don't have to leave you at your door, somewhere near?" He said. I smiled and nodded then he talked again. "But you're not leaving just yet right?"