Imperfect Truth(33)

Opening the door I can hear the bells ringing above my head, the air smells of a perfectly brewed coffee. It’s sweet, yet robust, with tiny hints of chocolate that filter into my nose. I walk in and scan the room for Ryder. After searching for a few seconds, I spot Ryder sitting at a table in the corner. The table is in a small alcove.

It’s obvious he has chosen this table because it’s hidden from view unless you stand in this particular location.

As I approach the table he rises and walks towards me, meeting me half way to the table. He leans in, and his familiar scent infiltrates my senses. I want to breathe him in forever. He leans down, placing a soft kiss on my lips. I’m taken aback by his forward greeting.

I can play ignorant.

I can pretend this relationship hasn’t crossed the line.

I can pretend the signs were not screaming at me from the beginning.

But right now as my life is at a crossroads, as I stand on the precipice of a sliding door, all I can do is lean forward, lean into him, close the distance completely, and bask in his aroma. He wraps his arms around me. I feel so small next to him, but yet so protected in his grasp.

“Mmm, strawberries, you taste delicious,” he whispers in my ear. My face turns red as I blush uncontrollably. His fingers tease at my collarbone as my breath comes out ragged.

“You’re adorable when you blush.” He smiles at me. There’s a wicked gleam in his sapphire eyes.

“I don’t feel adorable.” My voice sounds small as it leaves my lips, my eyes cast down to the ground, as I stare at my feet.

“Well, you are, and you’re also the most astounding woman I’ve ever had the pleasure to know. You are smart. You are beautiful. You are eloquent.” He tilts my chin up, his gaze pensive. “That’s the problem, Ava. You don’t see what I see, and you don’t see what others see when looking at you. You. Are. Remarkable.” His words come out staccato, and this time I allow myself to believe.

“Come on.” He takes my hand in his. I can feel the electricity humming between us as he leads me to the secluded table.

“I’ll go get us coffees. Are you hungry?”

“I can always eat.” I laugh. “I’d love a cappuccino and whatever you want to eat. Something sweet.” My voice is light, and I emphasize the word love drawing out the ‘o.’

He laughs at my silly behavior, then winks at me before turning toward the counter. I can’t help but watch him as he saunters off across the room. I could watch him move for days. I’m lost in my thoughts when he returns and places a steaming hot cappuccino and a fluffy pastry in front of me. They both look divine, but especially the cappuccino. The white foam has a leaf design in the center. It’s almost too pretty to drink…almost.

I lift the white porcelain mug to my mouth, the delicious taste flooding me. Placing the mug on the table, I look up at Ryder, my eyes half-mast. He’s trying really hard to hold back a laugh, but finally losing the battle, he chuckles. It’s the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard. As he continues to laugh, he raises his right hand and gently wipes my upper lip, collecting the foam that has obviously accumulated there. I giggle, but my amusement is cut short as he raises his finger to his own mouth and licks the foam off.

The only sound is the pounding of my heart. It beats so hard I’m sure he can hear it. We stare at each other as thoughts and promises are conveyed through our eyes.

Silence is sometimes the most perfect sound.

A delicious smile spreads across his lips. “You, Ava…you are everything.”

“Is this…um, is this normal?” I gesture my hand between the two of us. “Because I’ve never felt this way before.”

“None of this is normal, baby, not for me at least.”

Reaching across the table, he takes my hand in his. His hand feels possessive. As though he’s staking his claim. I welcome this feeling with all my heart. It feels wonderful for someone to want me like this, to need me like this.

Ryder makes me think anything is possible.





A FEW DAYS LATER, I sit on my couch admiring the painting Ryder had purchased for me. Yesterday we had met in the afternoon to have coffee as we had done the day before. We meet at the same café on the Lower East Side as we had met on Tuesday. Every day that passes, we get to know a little more about each other, every day making the need to make a decision more apparent.

I cherish the time I spend with Ryder. It’s a welcome reprieve from what I endure at home. As I stare at the swirls of colors, I get lost in my own thoughts. That is until I hear my phone ringing from across the apartment. I run to grab the house phone that is hanging on the wall in the kitchen.