Lucas looked around the room and felt pleasure that he had managed to once again throw a good party for his top-level execs and workers. They were all milling around the room laughing and chatting and he knew that the vacation must have been a welcome distraction as they underwent drastic changes within the company. His eyes didn’t stop however, they began to search for the person he really wanted to see. Earlier today, he had been so stunned to see her that he had choked on his drink. She stood so tall and graceful in nothing but the skimpy bathing suit she wore and it took all his strength to not punch his chief accountant and friend who made some snide remark about taking her to his bed. She had been a vision, but she was still not his biggest fan. When he decided to take up the initiative and pull her into a conversation, she remained aloof. He wondered if he was the only one who felt what he felt. She was so cold now; she was hardly the bright vibrant redhead that he remembered from their past.

He looked around the room once again and spied Scarlet smiling and talking to Melvin. He strode over to where they stood and cleared his throat.

“Lucas!” Melvin said as he walked over, “glad to see you finally made it. Have you met the lovely Scarlet?”

Lucas ignored the introduction and looked over at Scarlet who was wearing a short white dress that contrasted against her nicely tanned skin. It hung from her shoulders just a bit while revealing a slip of cleavage that made his mouth water ever so slightly.

“Scarlet is an old friend.” He said trying to step between his friend and Scarlet. Melvin was the greatest playboy he ever met. There wasn’t a woman he had in his sights that he couldn’t get; he didn’t want him anywhere near Scarlet.

“Ah, she said something to that effect, but I thought she was just joking.” Melvin said, “after all, I don’t think you have any friends.”

He shook his head and ignored Melvin. He didn’t need to worry about his friend and Scarlet right now, he needed to win her over and get control of her company.

“That’s the second time I’ve heard that today.” Scarlet said, “it must be true.”

Lucas could see this going the wrong way and so he tried to change the topic.

“Is everything to your liking?” he asked

“Yup sure is.” Melvin interjected, “although I was wondering where Angela had wandered off to, we had made a bet to see which of us could get you drunk.”

“Lucas drunk?” Scarlet said, “that would be something to see. He barely drinks enough to dull his mind.”

“Never been drunk!” Melvin exclaimed, “he hasn’t lived.”

“I agree” she replied

For a moment he wondered if she had ever gotten drunk and why. He had missed five years of her life and it seemed as if she was a completely new person. She had changed so much, he could only imagine what remained the same.

“No drinks for me.” He said, “you’re free to drink if you like Melvin.” He replied

“Already on my second.” Melvin replied holding up a small glass of champagne, “you know I turn up. You two have something in common though. How interesting.”

“What’s that?” Lucas asked

“Neither of you have ever been drunk.” Melvin replied, “you two are far too young to be so responsible.”

Lucas smiled to think that maybe some things hadn’t changed.

“I’m going to leave you two to talk,” Melvin said, “seems like there’s something here.”

Without another word, he walked away leaving them alone. He cursed himself for being so transparent but then again, Melvin was the closest friend he had.

“So,” he said inching closer to her, “never been drunk huh.”

“Not for lack of trying.” She replied, “I have no space in my life for drunkenness.”

“I agree.” He replied, “I feel the same,”

“You look beautiful tonight by the way,” he said, “is t alright if I tell you that.”

She didn’t say anything, but he saw the slight smile that touched her lips and he knew he was in safe territory.

“So, Angela’s gone,” she said changing the topic,

“Yes, we had some differences.” He replied,

“That’s interesting,” she replied, “like what? Seemed like you two had very much in common.”

“She doesn’t seem like the type of girl who would have left on her own.” He replied, “you must have been very, convincing.”

He smiled.

“I didn’t feel for her what she felt for me.” He replied, “we had to part ways.”

“What was that?” she asked looking him deep in the eyes.

“Need” he replied, “she was never everything but a sad mistake for me.”

“You don’t have to explain yourself to me” she replied, “in fact, I really shouldn’t be questioning you this way.”

Lucas stepped closer to her and she looked up at him. Her lips were pursed which he knew was a nervous habit, but he couldn’t focus because of the faint scent of cinnamon wafted up into his nose. He knew the smell came from the special shampoo she had refused to stop using. He wondered how it was that he knew a woman so well yet there was a chasm between them. Was there any solution to this problem? Did he even want to solve it?

He suddenly realized that he didn’t know what he wanted. Things had ended so abruptly for them, it had been a painful separation. As he looked into her captivating green eyes, he couldn’t help but wonder if there was anything left for them,

“Lucas” she whispered

He didn’t respond, he didn’t think. He simply lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on her parted lips. He heard her gasp, but she didn’t move away. When he moved away he saw the unguarded girl he once knew. He saw the love, the hope but then the girl was gone, and he saw the woman who was still a stranger. The woman he had hurt.

“I’m sorry” he whispered as if on instinct.

“Me too.” She whispered before turning and walking away. He looked after her as she walked away for the second time today. He wanted to reach out, he wanted to drag her back and plead with her to forgive him for what he had done in his stupidity. He wanted her to look at him the way she once did. He wanted the only woman he had ever loved to love him back; to be his again. Although these thoughts were illogical and he was pretty sure she was in a relationship with her boss, he felt that there was no way he should get over her if she was always there making him want her.