Page 5 of Severed Rivalry
Before
“What can I do for you, gentlemen?” I think those are her words.
I don’t even know what she asked because I’m rendered deaf… and apparently mute. The girl in front of me has flipped a switch that I didn’t even know could be tripped. I just stare.
The guys around me talk, and she writes things down, but the world has melted away. There’s no one here but us, no earth under my feet, certainly no bar noise or sticky tables.
“Hi, I’m Cian.” I hold her gaze, mesmerized by the beauty in her eyes alone.
“Renée,” she offers while tilting her chin and fidgeting with her notepad.
“It’s nice to meet you, Renée.” I wonder if I ever knew this feeling could exist, the utter falling away of everything but the girl in front of me. It’s like floating while anchored, but not to the ground.
The guys must order for me, because I won’t tarnish the moment asking for a beer, or anything other than who she is, where she’s from, how I’ve never seen her before.
And I’d know if I had. I’d so know.
But I say none of that.
Instead, she comes and goes, dropping off drinks to the guys I came with, until one by one they find a partner for the night, and I’m left alone.
I’ll sit right here all night, for a chance to talk to her, and if I’m lucky, to walk her home.
I get hit on by a girl or two or three over the course of the evening. They approach to flirt, bat their eyelashes, and try to touch me. I pull back and do what I can to make my face asneutral as possible. In my head, I’m afraid I look as if I smelled something that stinks.
Renée comes and removes my empty, dropping another bottle of beer near me. “Is there anything else I can get you, Cian?”
‘A date’ would sound cheesy, so would ‘your phone number.’ So I shake my head, and lift the bottle, adding, “No, but thanks for this.”
When the bar lights come on, I realize the place has practically cleared out. I leave money on the table and head outside but can’t bring myself to leave. I lean against the wall, the brisk spring night a bit too crisp without a coat, and yank a beanie over my too long hair.
It’s not much after close when this little college town gets a bit quieter and the crew from the bar comes spilling out, scattering in all directions.
Renée looks around as if searching for someone when her gaze falls to me. She takes a step my way, and I shove off the wall, meeting her more than halfway.
“Can I buy you breakfast?”
Her eyes hold surprise, and I realize one has a different color on the outside.
“I don’t mean tomorrow morning. I’m not being presumptuous. I meant now.” There. That’s less creepy than what it could’ve been.
“And that’s not presumptuous?” she asks with a cock of her head.
I could be wrong, but I think she’s flirting back.
“Does the right answer get me breakfast with you?” I extend my elbow.
“Maybe.” She loops her hand through, until we’re side by side. It’s then that she gazes up at me and I know my life will never be the same.
2
the ring type
Sariah
My morning’s been hell. Traffic in this city is ridiculous.
Autumn has the leaf peepers. Winter has the skiers. Summer has the hikers. Spring has the unprepared… that is, the people who experience spring everywhere else in the country and don’t know that it’s still winter here on the Front Range.
