“Oh, sorry.” I blurted out.
We did a little dance, moving in concert with one another, continuing to block each other. I moved the other way and he moved in that direction too. I laughed, realizing how silly this was and looked up to his face and froze.
My intention was to stay put and let him be the one to walk around, but he wasn’t moving and I was in too much shock to do anything. He cocked his head to the side and drew back. His eyes scurried over me, up and down the length of my body before landing back on my face. His initial amusement with our awkward little dance turned into a slow smile as he said, “Well, well, well, Lauren Mitchell. I’d recognize your beautiful face anywhere,” in the smoothest voice since whipped butter. My heart jumped and my knees weakened. If my mouth hadn’t opened to gasp for air it would have opened for my jaw to drop anyway.
It was him. My mystery man was standing right in front of me. My smile widened, then my eyes narrowed in confusion. I looked into his handsome face as he buttoned his finely cut suit jacket. Those eyes. The shape of the face. The nose, the placement was familiar, but… other things were not. The tanned skin on his cheeks was smoother, the shoulders were much broader and his overall frame was taller and held the confidence of a powerful and successful man. This wasn’t the pimply-faced boy I’d known in high school. This was the all grown up and now gorgeous Aedyn Cumberland.
“I… I… Oh, I’m so sorry. I’m making a fool of myself.” I laughed and shook my head in disbelief. Finally, I found the words to give my mouth something productive to do. “I can’t believe it. Aedyn?”
“In the flesh.” He raised both hands palms in a ta-da gesture, his grin widening across his face.
“Gosh. It’s been a long time…” Suddenly there was silence. Awkward silence.
I bit my lower lip and we both blurted out at the same time, “How’ve you been?”
For a moment, I was back in high school and was tempted to say “Jinx,” but instead, we both fell into a fit of nervous laughter.
“Sorry, sorry…” I waved the air like I was waving away the past. “Yea, I remember you from high school. I saw you. Were you… did I see you at the funeral home earlier?”
Aedyn’s eyes darted down to his shoes, which also looked expensive, probably Italian leather, and said, “My father passed away.”
“Oh, I’m sorry for your loss.” Geez. It seemed like every other word out of my mouth was, “Sorry.”
“Thank you, but… actually, we hadn’t been close for years.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Shit, I did it again.
His eyes suddenly brightened and the brief sadness faded from his face. “You look great. Older, of course, but in a good way.”
His compliment was flattering and goose bumps ran up my arm. His eyes blazed through me, making me feel like a bug under a microscope. I knew I should be making polite small talk, but his stunning face riveted me. Saying he’d changed since high school was an understatement. He’d been transformed.
“You look pretty good yourself.” I leaned against the wall, rubbing my bare arm, self-conscious about my prickling flesh. I made myself comfortable thinking we’d continue our chat. “Are you staying in town for a while?”
“No, not long. I just came long enough for the funeral and to put my dad’s house up for sale. You know, the usual things that need to be taken care of.”
I noticed he was standing stiffly and there was urgency in his reply; he looked like he was in a hurry. I straightened and pursed my lips. “Well, Aedyn. It was nice seeing you again. You must have a lot to do and I’m probably keeping you…” I made a dramatic effort to look at my watch. “I really should get going too.”
He laid a hand on my arm and gave a little pat as he moved to push past me. I nearly melted from its warmth. Before he left, he smiled and said, “It was good to see you again, Lauren. Take care now.”
I watched him walk out, past Jules and all the way out the door. I ducked into the ladies’ room, my pulse running a little faster than usual. Wow, what a difference the years had made.
I came out of the restroom and looked at the round wooden clock on the wall. Everything in this shop was heavy wood—the chairs, the tables—each one lending itself to the idea of thick hearty breads. My lunch hour was almost over and I really would need to leave soon. Jules was going to die when I told her who the mystery man was.
I slipped back into my chair and leaned forward. “Jules, you’ll never guess who I just ran into on the way to the ladies’ room.” I paused for affect, but didn’t wait for her answer. “Aedyn Cumberland.”