The One Night Stand || Open - Printable Version
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RE: The One Night Stand || Open - Kat - 09-22-2016
Taiga, now standing with a stranger by the vending machine, wasn't sulking. It might have looked like that, a sullen and skeptical look playing her neat features where they settled on the fellow, but that definitely wasn't the case. Her first instinct had been anger on her own behalf because Taiga could always find some excuse to be angry, and looking helpless in front of this man was enough a reason as any. The Fae subdued the urge with a forced smile that most of the patron's of ONS would see through, and took her pack of menthols from the shelved pocket they had been dispensed to. "Yeah, thanks." In the background, Errol may have laughed at the exchange, but Taiga didn't particularly find it funny. Her responses were short. "It's natural, bud. No box, no hassle."
The scent hit her first, like stepping back into her apartment to find Aisling reading at the window, buried in the ancient pages of some priceless tome. The Fae's portrait swiveled slightly, taking in the fortune teller as she closed the gap between the entry and the machine. Her current company hadn't fully registered as being an issue, but then again, Taiga cared more for her pride than come-ons and flirty inquiries concerning her hair. "Oh, there you are-" Taiga, now carrying her pack of free cigarettes, scooted from where she was standing between Owen and the dispenser to where Aisling stopped. Instinctively, her arm wrapped around the smaller female's shoulders as a universal sign of ownership, given by a creature who wasn't quite human enough to appreciate subtlety.
Carefully, Taiga directed Aisling back a few steps so they were safely distanced from Owen. Maybe for their sake, maybe for his. One could never be too safe when strangers were involved. "No, no. He fixed the machine for me." Which actually meant he knew how to use the machine, but there an ever present bubble of pride that served to shield her from admitting being ignorant to modern appliances.
Like that time she threw the toaster out the window. Or when she argued with the stereo.
Honestly, she still argued with the stereo, but not when Aisling was around because her beau just laughed about it.
RE: The One Night Stand || Open - saronym - 09-23-2016
Owen spared a glance over his shoulder when the door opened. His heart leaping in his chest, his throat seized up. Was it her? No just some tiny woman. Owen was momentarily distracted watching the newcomer, the scent of her wafting to him reminded him of his … mother? The smell of herbs in general usually called him back to childhood. The woman with the loud hair was answering his question so he turned his attention back to her. He cocked his head in amusement, the obvious question threatened to escape him, but Owen disciplined himself for the most part. He said only, “My condolences.” And gave her a sly grin. She could interpret it as she would.
The tiny woman was there now, practically shoving her way between them. Puffing herself up and acting territorial like a little ankle biter when a bigger dog was introduced to the house. His whole demeanor turned to mockery, a fake smirk and hands spread in faux defense. “Hey, I just bought her a smoke. She's the one who let it happen.” Owen watched while the women made their claims to one another. A display he would have made if the roles were reversed and some man was flirting - even so slightly - with his wife.
“Besides,” he held up his left hand, wiggling his ring finger, gold on display, “I’m kind of married.”
Owen didn’t know whether his patronage to the particular establishment would seem odd given the marital status he claimed.
RE: The One Night Stand || Open - megs - 09-23-2016
"Oh," Aisling's initial bristle immediately settled as her gaze flickered to the machine. She leaned into the arm around her. "Sorry," she said with a playful lilt and a sheepish shrug of her shoulders. "People that come into this place can be a little…iffy." She made a face that was intended to explain what exactly iffy was supposed to mean. It was a universal look. Either way, Taiga didn't need protecting, especially from her, but it was possible some of the Fae's mannerisms had rubbed off in their time together. The fortune teller chose to ignore the sarcastic smirk that spread across the stranger's features. Choosing instead to focus on why he looked familar. It was in her profession to be good at reading expressions, and she knew he was far from taking her seriously. Which was dismissible.
Her eyes had been bothering her most of the morning, a sign of her worsening condition, but she blinked his hand into focus. She gasped, eyes as wide as saucers and she reached out to grab his hand with both of hers. Her grasp was rather tight, fearing that he would pull away before she could see what she wanted. "You're the man from my dream," she said, turning his hand palm up before looking to his face. Rubbing her thumbs over the lines in his skin, she looked as if she was trying to think of something.
"You’ve lost something," she said, not a question. Sounding inappropriately relieved to finally have the answer to her vague dreams. The heart-aching feeling returned and her thumb traced the curved line around the base of his. "Someone," she clarified, and she was no longer looking at him. In his general directions, yes, but her gaze had gone glassy.
After a few silent heartbeats, her brow furrowed and Aisling blinked back into reality. "How... did you die?" She posed the question without taking into consideration the weight of it. She was clearly unperturbed by the fact that he was very not dead at current.
Magic was abundant and mysterious; was in her best internet not to question it. But she still didn't know what the goddess wanted her to do.
RE: The One Night Stand || Open - Kat - 09-23-2016
"You don't seem married."Taiga didn't always find this sort of thing to be interesting.
Half the time, she sat around in some side booth while Aisling worked, playing a game on her phone. Rare was there an instance when the Fae was genuinely curious to hear another's fortune being read, even if that meant seeming standoffish towards her girlfriend's profession. Honestly, she wasn't. It wasn't a sense of squeamishness or any kind of disdain for the job. It had more to do with giving Aisling's client's a semblance of privacy, which was something Taiga expected them to want. Whether that was the case or not wholly depended on the client in question.
For now, this mysterious stranger wasn't a client. He was some guy who may have been trying to pick her up, and when Aisling mentioned a dream concerning him, Taiga felt her right eye twitch ever so slightly. Still hanging back just behind her beau, her vision narrowed under a look of suspicion. There was a great deal of types of magic, specifically the type used for manipulating dreams. The idea of such tampering never strayed far from her thoughts as this stranger was evaluated, though the Fae did manage to comment under her breath, "He doesn't look dead."
Oblivious to most acts of reincarnation at this point, Taiga let the point hang in the air like the persistent puffs of an avid smoker. "Dead is usually more permanent, isn't it? Shouldn't it be?" The latter part was a bit spiteful, but she had no inclinations to make an apology for it.
RE: The One Night Stand || Open - saronym - 09-25-2016
Were both women seriously insulting him? Suggesting he was iffy? Suggesting he didn’t give off a married vibe. Whatever a married vibe was, Owen wasn’t sure but he was certainly feeling more convicted about his marriage vows of late than he could ever remember. Owen decided right then that he did not like the One Night Stand. Nevermind that he had been determined to dislike the venue anyhow for wandering wanton missing wife reasons. Which really had nothing to do with the quality of the establishment. To make matters worse now the little one was holding his hand and literally acting like a palm reader. Owen didn’t recall consenting to a palm reading. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He was mostly successful because she was actually reading him. Almost accurately. Close enough to be creepy. His eyes paused mid roll towards the ceiling and flicked back down to the shorter woman. Grey eyes were now framed by a suspicious frown.
“I am looking for someone.” Owen admitted drawing out the 'am' as if to help the fortune teller along. Giving her a little hint to see what she might have to add.
His eyes widened in surprise when the reader correctly identified him as a former corpse. He didn’t, however, appreciate the probing questions. You can't just ask someone how they died. “Painfully.” He responded in answer to how he died. It was true. But he wasn't keen on reliving the details of his untimely death in the middle of a bar for the benefit of curious women.
His eyes passed over the taller woman, “I guess death doesn’t take with me.” He offered without emotion. “You might wanna simmer down while your woman works here, okay?”
Owen hadn’t taken his hand away from the reader, for sheer curiosity of whether this unsolicited session would continue. Turning his gaze back at her, he lifted his brows like a skeptical customer testing out a dubious fortune teller stand at the local carnival.
RE: The One Night Stand || Open - megs - 09-26-2016
Aisling was somewhat lost. Oblivious to the nature of the remarks from Taiga at her back; unaware that they’d already managed to offend him. Later, she would realize and probably feel a little bad, but for now she was busy. Busy trying to relearn how to breathe over the pain her chest. Aching and tight like she had been crying for a long time. Now that the stranger from her dreams was standing in front of her she was scrambling for a purchase on reality, hazy memories filling her head and making it difficult to keep her thoughts straight. What was real and what wasn’t oft became difficult when the goddess found something she was interested in.
The oracle was still holding his hand, mostly because she had forgotten she was doing it. Her thumbs drew small circles in his skin, as if searching for something hidden in the fine lines of his flesh; he was warm and solid. There were various small scars on his knuckles, a roughness to his palms.
He was going get more than he bargained for if he kept talking to Taiga that way. Hearing their muted conversation in the periphery of her mind.
“Gunshots,” she said slowly, drawing out the words as if she were testing the feel of them. “Traitor.” Aisling continued, and her brow furrowed. “Painfully, for more than one reason. It was... hard to breathe.” She dropped his hand, pressing one to the middle of her chest. The other went to her side, against her ribs. She shook her head, red strands sliding over her shoulders. “But that’s not what this pain is.”
“Looking for someone,” she muttered, skirting past him. She left Taiga and their company and walked towards a table as if she just expected them to follow her. Unclear, whether it was still Aisling or the goddess at work, now. Still looking dazed, not quite present, she reached into her bag and pulled out her tarot deck, wrapped in shimmery purple velvet.
“Julianna,” she announced, suddenly. Like a lost thought that had just come back to her. That name in her dreams that she kept forgetting. Unwrapping the cards, she set the cloth aside and began shuffling the deck with expert hands. “Her rings,” not a question. “You have them.” She held out her hand, palm up expectantly.
RE: The One Night Stand || Open - Kat - 09-26-2016
Taiga had decided she didn't like the stranger any more than when she first took offense to his offer of help. Aisling was working, though, and the reply resting at the tip of her tongue was ignored in favor of silence. That silence was filled with obvious dislike, swirling irises circling her pupil as they fixated on Owen, an unspoken challenge. She was no more human than the moon; she had no qualms with violence for the sake of mediation. Her kind had been solving petty issues for eons by smacking one another around. It certainly wouldn't have been her fault if Owen wasn't durable enough to handle himself against the Fae. Her vision flickered off to the table where Aisling had moved, and Taiga followed, her mauve ponytail bouncing languidly against the center of her back. Pulling out a chair, the Fae sat heavily between where Aisling was and where Owen would likely end up sitting, her neutral expression tinged with a visible layer of distrust. While her girlfriend may have thought she was helping, Taiga thought otherwise. Suspicious coincidences rarely ever worked in their favor, after all, and it wouldn't be the first time a trustworthy man seemed friendly in the ONS just long enough to abuse the patronage.
Her hand raised to tuck away the stray strands of her hair, anchoring them behind the tip of one of her ears. "Well, go ahead. Hand her the rings, lover boy."
RE: The One Night Stand || Open - saronym - 09-28-2016
Owen watched the smaller woman with a concerned frown on his face. She seemed to be in pain or somewhat disoriented like her mind and body weren’t in the same place. The feeling that she was putting on some circus act faded as Owen came to believe that she was indeed reading him. Soft fingers working over his hand as she recounted small details of shocking accuracy. He could feel the heavy gaze of the other woman on him but kept his eyes on the redhead.The room and present circumstances faded out momentarily as the events of his death flashed in Owen’s mind. The memories barreled into his mind like a runaway train. The physical pain he remembered well. The terror also of being unable to breathe as he drowned on his own blood pooling in his lungs. Owen’s eyes were glazed over and he nodded slowly almost absently. Yes that was it. That was how he died.
The physical contact was broken and Owen snapped back into the present, the memories fading away. His stomach felt queasy. He moved without hesitation to follow the fortune teller. She had his rapt attention. He stopped short of the table, flinching as if burned when she named her. Julianna.
“My wife. Do you know her? Who are you?”
The questions hung in the air while she pulled out a deck of tarot cards. He wasn’t sure how much he wanted read. These days the truth was killing him.
Owen was brought out of his thoughts by the lady with the ponytail sassing him about the rings. He glanced at her stone-faced. “Look at you using your context clues. I am so proud of you.” He was thankful for the witty banter to distract him for a moment from his apprehension for the continuation of the reading.
Owen dragged a chair out from the table and plopped down across from the women. He pulled the military ID tags from their hiding place in his shirt and handed the necklace to the fortune teller complete with his wife’s engagement ring and wedding band.
RE: The One Night Stand || Open - megs - 09-28-2016
“My name is Aisling,” she replied, only able to answer one of his questions for now; even though she wasn't sure that's what he was asking.For the first time Aisling shot a warning glance to Taiga. A simple flicker of yellow eyes across the lithe frame of her lover. She sensed the Fae’s apprehension, understood its origin and would forgive her reaction at a later time, but for now, she needed Taiga to not be so cheeky. If for no other reason than to not distract her half-consenting client.
“This pain. Is this how you feel? How do you keep going like this?” Placing the square of cloth in the middle of the table, she spread her cards in an even line on top of it while she waited for Taiga and the man to end their spat long enough for her to acquire what she wanted. He dropped the jewelry into her hand and with a gasp she dropped them onto the table. Her fingertips tingled and ached as if she had just been shocked, a flood of memories hitting her all at once.
She squeezed her eyes shut, sorting through a lifetime of moments she should not have been privy to. Intimate and gentle. A thousand kisses and a thousand touches. Laughter, and glances, and soft murmurs. When the din in her head faded, her eyes fluttered open and they ached with the effort of adjusting to the mood lighting of the bar. “Agent Hart,” she mumbled, still distracted, fingering the rings on the tabletop. “Your wife has been here,” she explained, neatly stacking up the cards into a single pile. Realizing now, that she wouldn’t need them; she’d seen the woman before. She pushed the tags and their accouterments back in Owen's direction, clearing her throat. Her brow furrowed.
“She comes here a lot. Almost every night.” The cards and their wrappings disappeared back into her bag. “You should sit there,” she points a finger to a booth in a dimly lit corner, bangles jingling up and down her arms. “It has a good energy. I sense...good things.”
RE: The One Night Stand || Open - Kat - 10-02-2016
Taiga didn't dignify the stranger with another answer, feigning newfound interest in her phone. Swiping her thumb against the screen, a new message had come through, this time, one of relative importance. From Artemis, who never bothered to text her unless there was prompting to do so. A brother she considered aloof out of necessity; his charge wild and careless. The Watcher glanced over the words without letting the weight reach her polished features, hoping what panic they worked to instill wasn't entirely open to her audience. The Fae didn't need to explain the circumstances while her partner was in the middle of her reading, but she couldn't very well ignore what was being shared, either. Pondering, Taiga eventually texted Artemis back, her face stuck in true neutral where it hovered over her phone.Taiga: how
Arty: In the line of duty.
Taiga: did u tell cas
Arty: No, not yet.
Taiga: dont tell him then nd ill go see him
Arty: In person? You?
Taiga: yah
Arty: Why?
Taiga: u dont think he wants someone to tell him to his face
Arty: That isn't what I said. You know what I mean.
Taiga: that goin to arc is a bitch?? no shit art but this is about des
There was a short pause between messages, leaving Taiga an opening to glance at the company present around the table. Seeking her beau, the Fae offered Aisling a brief smile that didn't quite meet her eyes. Whether she intended a smile, or that was the only expression she could immitate in her current state, it wasn't clear. A void had formed towards the present task and what otherwise needed to be done, the desparity of their importance almost palpable. A lump in her throat was enough to attest to her concern, even if it was cut short by another buzz from her phone.
Arty: I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to go alone.
Taiga: i dont need company to deliver bad news
Arty: It's not just your bad news to shoulder, Taiga.
Taiga: y do u even fckin care art? when was the last time u even talked to des?
Arty: That isn't fair, and you know it.
Taiga: idc just let me go alone
Arty: Fine.
RE: The One Night Stand || Open - saronym - 10-05-2016
Owen filed the woman’s name away in his head, she didn’t ask for his, so he didn’t give it. She probably didn’t need to ask. His eyes flicked from Aisling to the other woman and back again sensing a warning from the redhead. Owen made a noise in the back of his throat. Something between a scoff and a snort when she asked about his pain tolerance. “Hey, no pain no gain right?” So his ‘second life’ had been nothing but pain. More psychological than physical, but his knuckles had gotten bruised from hitting Kama and there had been that incident with Darcias. He hadn’t seen much gain yet.
He was taken aback by her reaction to the rings. Almost offended by it. He snatched up the jewelry defensively when she pushed it back towards him. He hid it back in his shirt where it belonged next to his heart where all that pain was that the woman felt was necessary to announce to the room.
That his wife had been to the establishment didn’t come as a surprise, that much he knew from Aphrodite. That she came there almost every night made his spirits take a dive.
His eyes stared blankly as he watched her put her cards away. Turning halfway, Owen glanced in the direction she pointed. A private seat in the corner. He blinked at the seat not really feeling the positive vibe Aisling was confident about. He actually considered leaving. Running away and hiding. He could live without her right? Maybe that would be easier than facing her.
He’d never been a coward before. Why should he start now? Owen chewed at his cheek wishing he’d worn something more dashing. If he saw her tonight, she’d find him wearing his old military bomber jacket, a t-shirt, and fitted jeans. Hardly an outfit to impress a woman with. Although Julianna had always had an affinity for him in military decoration.
“Fuck it. Good energy in that corner, you say?” He shrugged and pushed away from the table. “I find mine at the bottom of a bottle so it looks like either way I’m in luck.” Hand out, he offered to shake hers, “I suppose I should thank you?” He wasn’t sure. Maybe she’d ask for some money, not that he’d give her any. “Do you want to have a drink with me?”
He was really kind of asking, wanna be my safety blanket? Owen moved to the bar to order himself a drink, they would join him or not. Well, he ordered multiple drinks. He asked for a Guinness and two shots of whiskey (a new favorite combo of his) before moving off to the table in question, carefully carrying his trio of drinks.
He pulled out the iPhone he’d been supplied with by Cain and managed to unlock the screen. He started to type a text to Sairus. ‘ONS. Jules will likely be here tonight.’ He remembered Sai warning that if Julianna caught on to their tracking her ‘she’ll run.’ How could Julianna not catch on to them if she saw her giant lumber jack of a lynx bodyguard in her favorite watering hole? No, Sairus would have to stay away for the time being. Owen erased his original draft.
> Don’t wait up for me sleeping beauty
> also I took the 'vette so if you got anywhere to go call a cab
He even put a kissing face emoji afterwards. Owen was a fast learner.
RE: The One Night Stand || Open - megs - 10-08-2016
Aisling assumed his careless responses were a defense mechanism. She certainly couldn’t blame him for the reaction so she didn’t press the issue. Otherwise, their business was concluded. There was no other advice she could offer, and he seemed content to follow what little she had given him. She stood as he did, and yellow eyes dropped to the hand he was offering/ She weighed the pros and cons of accepting the implied gesture of thanks. Touching people was risky for a clairvoyant, and she was willing to admit that she didn’t think she could handle anymore of Owen’s pain. He seemed to need the solidarity, so she steeled herself and clasped her hand around his. A good handshake, not too weak not too strong and thankfully without another wash of unwanted memories. “I don’t drink,” she replied, returning her hand back to her side. Her presence would not have been enough to comfort him. She didn’t ask for money, having all but forced herself on him. Smiling at him gently, she sighed through her nose. “Good luck, Owen. I hope everything works out.”
The fortune teller watched him saunter off to the bar, before turning her attention back to Taiga. Sweet Taiga whom she’d previously neglected in favor of a stranger with a problem. As she did all too often. Darling Taiga, whose forced smile and darkening aura had not gone unnoticed. Aisling moved closer to her companion, but didn’t attempt to see what on her phone was so captivating. She smoothed a hand down Taiga’s arm, cupping her elbow as she cocked her head. “Babe? Are you okay?”
Meanwhile, back at the hotel Sairus picked up his phone when it jingled an announcement of an incoming message. He didn't seem particular disturbed that Owen had up and left without him, was mostly surprised that it had taken him so long to do so. He leaned forward from the popped up pillows to grab the phone from the nightstand. His sensible chuckle was mostly sharp air through his nose.
>k
Sai had never been particular wordy. He took a generous sip of his beer and went back to watching reruns of Deadliest Catch, which was surprisingly entertaining.
RE: The One Night Stand || Open - saronym - 10-12-2016
The text from Sai came through and Owen was almost disappointed by the other man’s lack of effusiveness there. Sai just wasn’t talkative and he could barely operate the phone anyways. Owen needed something to distract himself while he waited and since he was left to drink alone the phone was all he had to capture his attention.> the fishing show will keep you busy no doubt
Owen grinned to himself when he sent the text. He’d spent enough time with Sai at this point to know exactly what he was doing with his downtime. Owen didn’t find the show quite as interesting as the Lynx. In fact he found it a bit underwhelming. Most TV and movies were boring to Owen. They’d always been an excuse to cuddle and drink.
He fiddled for some time with the phone trying to change the lock screen and background. The lock screen was an obnoxious picture of Cain with his tongue out and middle fingers on display. The wallpaper was also of Cain. It was slightly less obnoxious being a picture of him letting Daisy lick his face. Ultimately, Owen gave up. He was doomed to have pictures of Cain staring at him when he handled the phone until someone could help him figure out how to change it.
In the meantime, Owen had downed both of his shots and turned the glasses over. He was left nursing his beer. He enjoyed the warming sensation that spread through his body as the alcohol took effect. Aside from distracting himself, the drinking helped calm his nerves. He felt less keyed up about seeing Julianna. He could handle her as he always had. Perhaps it was just the alcohol boost to his confidence. Glancing around the room, Owen realized the sun had set and the establishment became slightly more populated as the night crowd emerged. He decided to order a couple more shots before the bar got too busy.
He returned to his seat with the drinks and continued his fiddling with the phone. This time he amused himself with the pre-loaded mapping software. Though amazed at how far digital mapping had come in a decade, Owen felt a bit wistful as he navigated through the map in street view. There was no art or individuality to the mapping software. He found the actual photography vulgar looking. Not that the zoomed out version was any better. The art - if you could call it that - left much to be desired. The design was simply unsightly. Cartography for him had always been about putting his personal mark on the way he represented geography. He was always careful to be accurate but there was an artistic discretion to what was to be shown, what was to be excluded, how large to scale, what colors to use, what paper to use, etc. etc. Google's maps seemed to leave nothing out. It scaled all the way down to street view and all the way out to planet view. The art never changed and never varied from city to city or country to country.
This bothered him. It made his lifelong hobby feel dusty, old, and useless.
Frowning, he threw back another shot and set the glass down next to the other emptied ones. If he kept on like this, he'd soon be intoxicated.
RE: The One Night Stand || Open - megs - 10-12-2016
Rylan needed a drink. That was nothing new. Alcoholics often needed drinks, and luckily for her there were establishments peppered throughout the city to meet such a need. The One Night Stand was a favorite among the many options, if only because it was close to her apartment.
After Belial had had their fun at the bookstore and it’s owner had found something better to do, she had returned home to chain-smoke cigarettes in the window seat. Using the smoldering butt of one cigarette to light another, she watched the sky turn colors as the sun started to set.
The clouds went from pink-orange to purple-blue and she pushed herself away from the window with a huff. She traded the dress she had worn for Jean for black jeans that clung to her legs and a bright blue v-neck tshirt. Rylan decided to keep the bustier because it did wonders for her cleavage and black lace peeked if she moved just right. The shoes matched her shirt because she’d always been a fan of coordination and she removed the sapphire pendant from her collar, leaving a black band of leather with a silver clasp around her neck. Her hair fell across her shoulders in dark waves when she pulled the pins out of it.
Shoving her phone and some cash into her back pocket she walked out into the night. Heels clicked and smoke trailed as she crossed the two blocks between her house and the bar.
Flicking another butt into the gutter, she blew smoke out of the corner of her mouth before pushing open the heavy double doors. It was the usual, dim-lit, smoky scene as it always was. Some kind of weredog biker gang had taken up roost at the bar and she was forced to elbow her way past them to get to the bartender. She ignored whistles and glances, tail snapping to and fro behind her back.
“Blue Label,” she said, over the din, dropping the cash she’d taken from home on the bar. “I’ll take the bottle and a glass.” Ears pushed forward and she rocked her hips as she waited. She grabbed the bottle in one hand and the glass in the other, and didn’t bother looking around the room to check it’s availability before she phased into her favorite booth. Private and tucked away in the corner, it was usually empty.
Except for tonight.
Ears fell, before pushing forward and she paused in surprise. She didn’t recognize the man sitting across for her, seemingly very occupied with his phone. Green eyes flickered across him quickly. He was...very large, was her initial assessment. Blonde hair and a nice nose. He was wearing a bomber jacket she sort of recognized. At the very least she recognized the patches as belonging to the CAF.
This was sort of her booth. Maybe if she seemed pleasant enough they could share and he wouldn't kick her out of it.
“Penny for your thoughts, Lieutenant General?” she asked, screwing the top off the bottle and filling her glass.
RE: The One Night Stand || Open - saronym - 10-12-2016
Occupied with his phone, Owen hadn’t noticed when Julianna phased into the booth. He was aware of a shape at the top of his vision, but thought it was a patron hanging around nearby as the establishment began to fill up.The words that fell on his ears like an echo from the past snapped him to attention. He kept his breath under control though his heart beat rapidly and he quickly locked his phone. The screen turned to black and his lips cracked into a smile. Grey eyes met green. “A whole penny? I’m flattered by your generous offer.”
Of course, he couldn’t outright tell her he’d been thinking of her. His eyes swept over her face and traced a line down to her collar which drew the eye. His eyes didn’t make it lower as they lingered on the collar for a few moments. Why would she spoil her neck with such an accessory? He didn’t like it. He preferred her neck unadorned. His eyes flicked back to her face realizing he’d probably stared longer than was polite.
“Pretty and literate, too. Double threat.” The compliment and tease came easily and didn’t expose any of the nervous energy hidden inside.
She was the same. She was the same. Some things apparently never changed. Not even the way she greeted him. How was it possible?
And yet, of course she was different.
None of the familiarity he’d come to expect was in her look. The effortless smile wasn’t expressly for him. It was for a stranger. It was for anyone. His stomach turned over. Feeling his palms beginning to sweat, Owen took his beer and downed a gulp, watching her from the side of the bottle. He let himself be encouraged that she’d showed up in this booth to greet him with the smile over anyone else in the bar. Of course, he didn’t know he’d planted himself in her booth. So really, it had just been no more than a happy coincidence like that interview so many years ago.
His brows pulled together in a mock frown which was given away by the amused glint in his eyes. His lips weren’t much better as he tried to hide the grin that threatened to erupt. “Do you usually just pop into booths like this?” As if he minded.