Page 9 of Forever Love-Reimagined

I walked up behind her and wrapped my arm around her shoulder. “Hey, babe. Who’s this?”

The girl appeared shocked, and I felt terrible for clitterferring, but I hoped to talk to my friend uninterrupted.

Shannon threw my arm off her shoulder and tried to smooth things over, but the younger woman had already left, probably scared that I was a scorned girlfriend who’d take out my rage on her. Shannon turned on me so fast that she probably caused herself whiplash. “What the fuck, Lay?”

“I’m sorry. But if we have something serious to discuss, it’s okay to clam jam, right?”

“No, that’s so far from right it’s left.” She shook her head, but I could tell she wasn’t mad.

“I missed you. Can I buy you a drink?” I smiled and waved to Iris, the barkeep.

“You better buy me a drink, and I missed you, too. What’s going on?”

I ordered a rum and Coke and a scotch for her before sitting down. “Something weird happened today, and now I’m stuck in this feeling.”

The bartender placed two glasses before us, and Shannon took a long drink before responding.

“Weird, how? And what feeling?”

I proceeded to fill her in on the incident and how the whole morning was chaotic.

“That sounds pretty typical. There are inconsiderate twats all over New York. So, what did you need advice on? How to get back at the asshole who hit everyone?”

“No, Ms. Impatient. I was getting to the part that troubled me. The woman who backed into me is causing all these feelings to stir. I don’t even know what they are, but I keep having flashbacks of her eyes, and they lock me in a trance. It’s like time doesn’t move, and all I can think about is her.” I heard how bizarre that sounded and worried Shanny wouldn’t believe me.

“Lay, I’m going to give it to you straight. Seeing a beautiful woman is exciting, and wanting to explore that is okay. But what you’re saying sounds like an obsession is about to happen. That can’t be healthy, especially when you know nothing about her or where to find her.” She had a point, but this was more than that.

I couldn’t explain because I didn’t understand it myself, but it was like her eyes were calling me. I was so glad I kept that part to myself.

“But it wasn’t just an attraction. I mean, I didn’t even see her completely. It was like a magnetic pull to her. When I close my eyes, I can still feel her and smell that mango scent—it’s like she’s with me.”

She sighed. “If that’s the case, look around and see if anyone catches your eye. It just might be the girl since you know nothing about her. And if it’s not her, tell yourself it is and move on.” Her advice wasn’t unfounded, but it wouldn’t be that easy.

I’d never experienced this kind of connection to someone where they preoccupied my mind. If I was honest, most of my thoughts were about work or my passion projects, which changed often. I never had serious girlfriends because I didn’t think I could devote my time and attention to another person.

I wanted to make whoever I was with a priority, so I preferred to stay single until I could give more of myself to someone.

“Maybe you’re right. I’m probably tired, and my mind is trying to fill in gaps of reality.” I took a long pull from my straw and realized I was about to down my entire drink.

“Look. We’ve all had that instant chemistry with someone and considered taking them home. It happens, but there are plenty of fish in the sea, so you don’t have to get hung up on the one that got away.” She flourished her hand around the bar as if showcasing her point. “You’re good-looking, successful, and fun. Take your pick; any of these women would go home with you.”

“Yeah, I guess. But it seems wrong trying to hook up with someone while thinking of someone else.”

“Again, you have no idea who you are thinking of, so let it go. Find someone who is here, who wants to be with you, and then they can take over your thoughts.” She patted me on the back and stood up. “Now, as much as I want to keep talking about your non-issue, I’m going to take a lap and see if I can help anyone else tonight.” She waggled her eyebrows, and I shook my head.

“Okay. I’ll be here for you if you need a wingwoman.” I ordered another drink and figured I would see where the night took me.

“I know you are. But you need to focus on you. Get out of your head and get someone real into your bed.” She laughed at her rhyme.

I shook my head. “I’ll be fine. But I want you to be safe.”

“I’m always safe.” She tipped up the last of her scotch and set the glass on the bar. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow, and I want all the deets.” She winked, knowing full well I wasn’t a kiss-and-tell person.

I sipped on my drink as I made eye contact with a woman across the bar. Although her eyes couldn’t begin to compare to the girl from this morning, she was here now and walking toward me.

“Hey,” she breathed out once she reached me.

“Hey, yourself.” I stayed on my stool and patted the one next to me for her to sit.

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