She walked inside the restaurant, her coat folded gently over her arms. The sounds of her own breath drawing in overshadowed the loud beats of her heart. It was all she could hear, all she could feel. Nothing could distract her from the noise. She entered a tunnel, far away from her she could hear the faint sounds in the distance of dishes banging against one another, and voices were muffled. Maybe she was making it up because she was tuning it out. She nervously twisted her long hair at her shoulders like she always did when she needed something to do with her hands. As she fidgeted with the ends she realized she was absentmindedly drifting off somewhere else. Oh god. What was she doing here? Why had she picked up the phone and said yes? It had been so long. It would be like two strangers meeting each other for the first time. What if that fire and desire wasn’t there anymore? What was she going to say?
She plucked her phone from her purse and opened her text.
I’m here.
Head to the back and turn right. I’m on the end.
Can’t wait to see you.
She felt her legs weigh her down as she moved through the rows of tables. The smells intertwined with the sounds of first dates and breakups and happy reunions and friendships. She allowed herself to escape for a moment while her body was on autopilot. She couldn’t contain the trepidation she felt, but it wasn’t out of fear of things going bad, it was fear of it going well. That damn spell he cast on her back then still had its claws in her. It was buried deep within her, waiting to be unleashed again. It had a hold on her that no one else had since. Every touch since then was carefully guarded, measured against their predecessor. A feat that couldn’t be matched with intensity to this day. Their torrid affair had only lasted a little while and yet it was by which all others were evaluated.
She rounded the corner and scanned ahead, looking for what, she didn’t know. She closed her eyes and a flash of memory overwhelmed her senses. She was back home, in her bed. The duvet was entangled between her legs, stripes of colorful blue and skin as it wound its way around her naked body. Clearly she had been hot and sweaty the night before, but cold too. She felt the sheet stick to her soft body, hugging every curve like a suit. She rolled and caught a glimpse of piercing blue eyes fixated on hers. She should have been startled, but she wasn’t. It was…calming. He gingerly brushed a rogue curl away from her face and leaned closer and put his mouth on hers. She could still taste the night before on his tongue. She relaxed and eased her body into his. She could feel his body pulse in response to her accepting his kiss. He drew in a breath without releasing her from his grasp. If only it were that simple.
Her awareness of her surroundings jolted her back into her body and she was back in in her reality. She didn’t know how long she had been standing there in front of him. But there he was. That same smile, the same eyes that run a spear through your soul. He had aged like a fine wine, the kind you want to savor on your lips as it passes through. The kind you enjoy when nothing else can quench your thirst. The kind you only bring out at fancy parties when you really want to have a good time you won’t ever forget. He still oozed that mysterious sex appeal she remembered the first time they met. That charming debonaire style that sucked you in until you screamed for more. Goddamnit, what was it? There were no words for this. You think you know everything until time stands still.