Page 51 of Beautiful Scars

All eyes turn to take us in. We both bask in the attention, enjoying the stunned expressions. I let go of Jade's arm, kiss her on the cheek and turn to go and take my place behind the bar. I'm not too surprised to see Zane already seated there, instead of sitting with his friends. He stands and watches me cross the room towards him.

“And here I thought there was no way you could ever look more beautiful than you did last night.” Zane says once I'm in front of him.

I laugh, feeling a little of the tension drain away. "Even more charming the second time around, I see."

I step around the back of the bar, but I can feel his gaze follow me. "I'm glad you decided to come tonight, Angel. I was hoping you'd be here."

Moving around to the back of the bar, I start double checking to make sure everything is stocked the way it should be for the night. "Well, what can I say. You made me an offer I couldn't refuse." I chuckle as I reach for his glass. "That was, uh, quite the gift you left for me. Thank you."

"It was from all of us. But, there's no need to say thank you. Last night was exactly what we needed. Honestly, it was less than what you deserve."

A comfortable silence falls between us as we both watch the scene in the lounge. Everyone does seem to be enjoying themselves again tonight and it seems to be a bit more relaxed than it was last night. Most of the same girls are back, dancing and socializing. Jade is firmly planted on the edge of Colt's chair, and while I can't hear what she's whispering to him, I can see it's enough to make him need to adjust his position. More than once. I laugh out loud when she pats him on the head. It seems that Zane isn't the only one with a favorite.

I excuse myself, making my rounds around the room, collecting drink orders, ensuring everyone is comfortable and happy. Zane sticks to his spot at the bar though. His attention seems to be for me, and me alone. His eyes follow me, tracking my every movement. It should be disturbing, being watched like this, but I'm enjoying it. At least as much I did last night, if not more.

Satisfied I've got things handled, I circle back toward the bar. The connection between Zane and I is back, subtle but solid. I’m trying not to let it get to me. He’s leaning on the bar, nursing the drink in front of him with that easy grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.

I reach for a clean glass and a bottle and Zane starts talking—telling me a story about the first time he ever got drunk, and it pulls me in immediately. He’s quicker, funnier, and sharper than I gave him credit for. Before long, I’m laughing without even thinking about it.

I'm busy pulling glasses from under the bar when I hear Zane let out a deep chuckle behind me.

"Hey man! I'm glad you're finally here. We were all starting to think you changed your mind."

There's a pause and hearty laugh. "Yeah, you all look like you're missing me. Can't live without me." I hear the distinct sound of metal scraping on the floor as one of the barstools is pulled out. "So, where is she? Where is this girl? Anyone who can get that kind of reaction outta you is worth meeting."

I smile, feeling my face color slightly as I pretend I didn't hear what I just heard from under the counter.

Zane laughs. "Smooth, man. Real smooth. Thanks a lot. She, um, she's right behind you."

I stand and look up from what I'm doing to see Zane smiling at me sheepishly. The man he was talking to has his back to me, his focus directed towards the center of the room.

"Oh." There's a long pause, and a whispered, "Sorry man," as he turns around.

I look up, with my sweetest, brightest smile ready to greet him. When his eyes land on me, the rest of whatever he was going to say, dies in his throat, and the color drains from his face.

The seconds stretch out into a long, excruciating silence. My eyes stay locked on his. Perfect, endless pools of deep green that I've spent the past seven years trying to forget. Seven years of pretending I couldn't still see them every time I closed my eyes.

"Angel?" He chokes the two syllables out in a barely-there whisper.

His face is harder now, more mature, more angular. More beautiful. The scattered freckles across his nose have faded slightly. The small jagged white scar on his chin he got during his first football game when he was eight still stands out.

It's a face I still know by heart. I know exactly how his skin would feel under my fingertips if I were to reach out and touch him.

My breath is shallow, and I can feel the blood drain from my own face. I stumble back, dizzy, grabbing at the counter behind me for balance as my entire world spins off it's axis. Those gorgeous, brilliant eyes that used to look at me with fierce love and absolute devotion are now staring at me in stunned disbelief and shock. And horror. Mostly horror.

Levi.

I’m rooted to the spot I'm standing in, trapped like a bug—pinned by his gaze, and it’s like the entire room has been stripped away—the music, the people, even the lights—all of it disappears, and it’s just us. Me and him.

…That's what I said. You. Me. We….

My heart thunders painfully in my chest, like it’s trying to claw its way out. My body feels too heavy to move. The air is thick and suffocating and I can't breathe.

Levi's hand falls away from Zane’s shoulder and he takes a step back, knocking over the barstool next to him. His eyes stay locked on mine, unblinking.

“Sunny?” he breathes the name I haven't heard out loud for years. The name I never wanted to hear again. He says it the way I remember him always saying it, like he's reciting a prayer.

My throat closes up, and all I can do is nod, and stand there with tears blurring my vision as the reality of him standing here in front of me, crashes down and threatens to drown me. Everything I've tried so hard to forget for so long comes rushing back. I remember it all—the sweet words, the gentle kisses, the promises. The love. I take a shallow, shaky breath.

---