Page 14 of Call it Fate

“Ah. Well, I would’ve thought a bigger city would be a better place for that, but you’ve come to the right place so long as you’re here.” She cocked her head to one side and studied me. “You look familiar, but I never forget a face, and I’m sure I’ve never met you before. You on TV or somethin’?”

I shook my head. “Nope. Never been here, never been on television.” I finished the glass in two more swallows, an abuse of the expensive drink that was meant to be sipped, but I relished the burn as it made its way down my throat.

I pushed it toward her for a refill. Pulling out my wallet, I slapped my credit card on the bar. “You might want to leave the bottle.”

She frowned. “You got somewhere to stay?”

I nodded. “The Dogtrot.”

I took the bottle, not caring that she continued to study me through narrowed eyes as if still trying to place me. Finally, she tapped the wood in front of me with her knuckles. “Holler if you need anything.”

But unless she could turn back the clock thirty-six hours when I was happily living my life back in Charlotte, there was nothing she could do. But this bottle might help.

* * *

Oomph.

“Shit.”

I rolled over and struggled into a sitting position. My head swam. Whose big idea was it to add a fourth step to the stairs anyway? Wasn’t three enough?

Somewhere, my legs had disappeared, so I stayed sitting. I could see my breath, but I couldn’t feel the cold.

I chuckled to myself. I’d never failed at anything I tried, and tonight was no exception. Mission accomplished; I wasn’t feeling anything.

I rolled my head from side to side, looking around. It was probably only ten o’clock at night, but there was no one around. Even the bar had emptied. Good thing I had finished my bottle.

It was so different from home, where restaurants and bars stayed open until midnight and later on weekends. There was always something stirring: cars, buses, pedestrians, occasional sirens. All noises that faded into the background unless you stopped to pay attention.

Here, there was nothing to listen to except the stirring of leaves this time of year, and tonight, even they were quiet. It was different but peaceful. Only the streetlamps offered any light, making the stars appear brighter than I was used to seeing.

As I watched them twinkle above my head, a door creaked, and a swath of light spilled onto the stairs like a spotlight showcasing my not-so-grand return. I squinted at the light, seeing a figure emerge from the center. I blinked, trying to focus, but it was like looking into the sun. I shaded my eyes, and sure enough, I was right.

“Hey, Zach.”

“Sunshine,” I croaked. I must have knocked my head on the stairs. “I know it’s not you because you’re not here because I’ve forgotten you.” I grinned. “But even not-you is beautiful.”

Her chuckle brought back that sense of lightness I’d always felt in her presence, like the bubbles in champagne that tickle your mouth and make you feel good.

“Whatcha doin’ out here?”

Her soft drawl washed over me like a warm blanket, and suddenly, I became aware that I was indeed cold. “I’m…” Shit. WhatwasI doing out here? Oh, right. “I’m not remembering, that’s what.”

“I see. How’s that goin’ for you?”

I turned around, away from her warmth and light and back into the icy darkness. “Good. I’m forgetting you all over again.”

She emerged from the light, and my once personal sunshine sat next to me on the stairs, bringing her warmth with her.

Fuck.

It was much harder to forget her when she was beside me. I closed my eyes, but even if I couldn’t see her, I sensed her. I heard her soft breathing and smelled her familiar vanilla scent. I could feel her shiver beside me, and I fought the feeling to wrap her in my arms to warm her.

Where was my bottle? I’d paid for the entire thing. Oh, yeah. I left it back at the bar, empty.

Double fuck.

“Do you want to come back inside? It’s pretty cold out here.”

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