Rylan
I know that running late for a date isn’t going to be the best first impression I’ve ever made, but I’ve got a pretty good excuse, and if the woman I’m meeting tonight doesn’t understand that, then it was never going to work out anyway.
My job can be demanding, and I’m well aware that it’s probably what’s kept me from having any type of meaningful relationships with women thus far. That, and the lingering feeling something’s missing whenever I’m in the presence of other people.
Ever since my sister passed away, I’m left constantly feeling like a piece of me is incomplete.
I’ve met nice women, but nothing ever feels as right as I know it should – so for years I never felt compelled to invite anybody new into my life.
I’m not expecting to walk into this restaurant tonight and find the solution to that problem, but a guy can dream.
I hear the tone indicating I have a text message as I throw myself into the driver’s seat of my car. I stop at a red light and pull out my cell. I shake my head at the picture message I’ve just received from Emmett.
Emmett and I work together at the hospital, and with a bit of luck I’ll be delivering his baby within the next two months.
He and his wife Lucy – they’re the ones responsible for this set up tonight.
Emmett’s sent me a picture of a woman I assume is Violet – my company for the evening. I can’t see her face, and if I had to guess I’d say he took the picture of her as she walked towards the date I’m currently running late for.
The light turns green and I speed up a little; the thought of her sitting alone at a table is making me feel guilty.
After what feels like an eternity, I pull up outside and I must have some type of luck after all because there’s a park right outside.
I take a deep breath before pushing the door open and jogging to the front of the restaurant.
Thanks to Emmett I know I’m looking for a woman with long dark hair, and a blue dress.
I’m glancing around as I give my name to the woman behind the desk and she points Violet out at the same moment that my eyes find her.
She doesn’t look around as I approach from behind, and I still can’t see her face.
I clear my throat in an attempt not to startle her, but still she jumps a fraction in her seat.
She turns slowly to face me and it’s all I can do not to gasp as I see her face for the first time.
She’s so beautiful, but not only that, she’s oddly familiar.
I’m certain we’ve never met, but I feel drawn to her, like souls rekindling.
“Violet?” I question her, my voice sounding not at all like my own.
She looks at me as though she’s seeing a ghost and her face pales visibly.
The doctor in me takes over.
“Are you okay?” I reach for her elbow on instinct; I’m worried that she’s going to pass out, but for now at least she seems to be holding steady.
She’s just staring at me in obvious shock.
She’s caught up inside her own head right now, and I know that I won’t reach her, no matter what I say. So I don’t say anything, instead I crouch down next to her and wait.
It takes a full minute until she blinks once, twice, three times, before giving her head a little shake to clear it.
“Violet?” I repeat.
She reaches for her glass and takes a quick sip.
“I’m so sorry,” she breathes as she sets it back down. “You gave me a fright. Rylan?” she questions me back, her eyes lingering on my face for a moment before trailing down my shoulder and arm to where my hand is still touching her.
I let her go hurriedly, as though I’m a teenager being caught doing the wrong thing.
“That’s me,” I tell her with a smile.
Her eyes are on my face again, as mine are on hers, and I watch in silent appreciation as her lips curve up to mirror mine.
An overwhelming sense of calm that I haven’t felt in years settles over me, and I decide that now would be a good time for me to sit down.