Thursday, February 26, 2009

005

Jane and Richie walked along the beach until they'd found a nice secluded spot to plop themselves down on. It was late so there weren't a lot of people around anyway, but if there had've been... they had plenty of privacy.

They sat on the shore in silence for a little while, just staring out at the moonlit ocean. It was indeed a beautiful night. The sparkling stars lit up the sky above them, and the moon, as Richie had promised, was out big and bright.

It had been a long time since Jane had done this. Without anyone to share it with, it didn't seem as special.

"It still goes on forever, doesn't it?" ... she finally uttered.

"Forever," Richie repeated.

Jane lay back on the sand and closed her eyes, breathing in the ocean air. She felt like it was 1986 again and she was back in Jersey, spending a night under the stars with a man she could've spent the rest of her life with. She smiled warmly at the thought.

Richie followed suite and lay back, wondering what Jane was thinking as the smile crossed her face. He used to be able to read her like a book; completely tuned in to her every emotion, but now it felt like she was putting up a brick wall.

Of course, it had been a long, long time.

He propped himself up on one elbow and stared down at her. She looked so peaceful lying there.

Like an angel, he thought.

He was desparately fighting the urge to touch her face; to kiss her lips. What he wouldn't give to do that once more.

"It's still... something beautiful too," he said.

Jane opened her eyes to find him peering down at her, that heart melting smile she knew well playing on his lips. "What are you thinking?" ... she asked.

"Just... how... amazing this is, being here with you."

"Mm," Jane nodded agreeingly.

"What are you thinking?"

"Something along those lines. And I was thinking about the old days... home, Hank... stuff that hasn't really entered my mind in a while."

"Ugh," Richie groaned. "Let's try not to ruin the moment, huh?"

Jane chuckled, "I'm sorry, he just popped into my head."

She sat up again and stared back out at the ocean, a look of melancholy sweeping her face. "Can I tell you a secret?"

"I love secrets."

Jane paused for a moment, as if she was trying to find the courage to say what she wanted to say. "Remember that day at the airport?"

"I remember," he nodded.

How could I forget?

"I wish I'd stayed."

Richie sat upright, slightly thrown off by Jane's confession. He'd wished the same thing too for a long time, but he'd slowly come to realize it was for the best, for both of them.

"Janie," he started as he searched for the right words. "The decision you made to leave... I... I believe it was the right one."

"You do?"

"I do--I mean, don't get me wrong... it hurt. For a long time." A sad smile creased Richie's face as he finished that sentence. "But when I look back at everything... I dunno, I just feel like I had a lot of growing up to do, ya know... I wouldn't trade any of the experiences I've had. I got married for Christ's sake!" ... he exclaimed in disbelief. "Can you imagine that? Now I've got a kid--a beautiful kid, and I hear you've got two of 'em!"

"Three," Jane mouthed as she held out three fingers. "There's Maddie, she's almost sixteen now-"

"Is that how long it's been?"

Jane nodded, "It feels like longer, doesn't it?"

"A lot longer," he admitted. "So who are the other two?"

"The twins," she stated proudly. "James and Jamie, they're seven."

"Wow... little Jimmy, huh?"

"You know, when I saw him for the first time... when he opened his eyes and looked up at me, there was just no other name I could give him. Every day he reminds me more and more of his Uncle."

It brought joy to Richie's heart to see Jane looking so happy. Her face completely lit up as she talked about her kids; the same way he was sure his face lit up when talking about Ava. After everything she'd been through in her life, she deserved all the happiness in the world.

"See, it was definitely a good thing that you left."

"Thank you," she said sincerely.

"For what?"

"For this... it's nice."

Jane lay back on the sand once more, completely relaxed for the first time since Richie had approached her. She felt safe lying there next to him, though she knew it couldn't last long; they'd both eventually be going their separate ways. "I wish this moment could last forever," she said dreamily.

"I dunno," Richie said, taking note of the longing in her voice. He lay back too, resting his head softly against hers. Staring up at the stars he continued, "I haven't even kissed you yet. If time wants to stop, it'll have to wait."

Jane laughed, "Time's gonna be waiting a long time then, huh?"

"Not if I can help it."

Jane just shook her head and laughed again. She knew he'd get his way if she entertained this discussion much longer. "You know what?" ... she said as she tried to stand. "I think it's about time to call it a night."

"Uh uh," Richie wasn't going to let her get away that easily. He'd been chasing her all night, for lack of a better word. Why stop now? He caught her wrist and pulled back slightly, just enough for her to stumble.

Jane yelped when she felt herself falling; right into his lap she went, her back to him.

"Oh my," he said.

"Richie!"

"What?" ... he asked innocently. "Am I making you uncomfortable?"

"Constantly!"

"I'm sorry," he said through a smirk. "I don't want you to go," he added, his voice taking on a more somber tone.

Jane breathed in deeply, letting the cool night air fill her lungs. She didn't want to go either. "I have to."

"No you don't."

"I really do," she insisted.

"OK," Richie sighed hopelessly. He held his hands in the air, indicating she was free to go.

She didn't move.

"Change your mind?" ... he asked.

Silence.

"Janie?"

Jane closed her eyes and tilted her head back, causing Richie to instinctively wrap his arms around her waist. He took the oppurtunity to breathe in her scent, letting it completely intoxicate him. "I'm getting a lot of mixed signals here," he quipped.

"Rich, I-"

"I want you," he breathed into her ear.

Jane felt herself stiffen as a ripple of goosebumps ran through her body. She had to leave now. She should have left when he'd given her the chance.

Why the hell didn't I?

"Turn around," he whispered.

"I can't do this, Richie," she said sternly, though she didn't make a move to get away.

"We're not doing anything."

"Rich, please," Jane pleaded.

"I'm not forcing you to stay, darlin'."

"But you're making it impossibly hard for me to leave."

Richie sighed as he loosened his hold around her waist. "You can go whenever you want," he said. "But first, just explain to me why this... why us is such a bad idea."

Jane bit down on her lower lip. She knew her reasoning wouldn't satisfy him, but it was all she had. She turned around to face him, causing him to wiggle his brows when their eyes met. She chose to ignore that.

"The thing is that... when this week is over, I'm going home. You'll probably be here for a while, but eventually you'll go home too. So we'll both go back to our separate little lives in our separate little worlds and never see each other again."

Jane was waving her hands all over the place as she tried to explain.

"I know you'll make me..." she trailed off. "Which will make the goodbye harder... and the goodbye is inevitable."

"I'll make you what?"

Jane rolled her eyes, "Why do you always focus on the awkward things I say?"

"Because they're usually highly to my liking," Richie smirked. "It doesn't have to be like that y'know... our lives don't have to be separate."

"They already are, Rich."

"Look," Richie began has he rolled Jane off him and onto her back. He lingered there for a moment, holding her gaze, only one thought running through his mind. He surprised them both when all he did was get to his feet and hold his hand out for her.

"There's this little recording studio downtown," he contined as he helped Jane up. "We've been working there for a few weeks... I could've stayed with Jon, but instead I chose to stay at a hotel. This hotel couldn't have been further away, but it was the only one available. And it wasn't just any hotel; it was the same hotel you chose to stay at..."

"Because it was the only one available," Jane added.

Richie put his finger to her mouth to shush her before he started again. "Not once had I so much as thought about going to the bar for a drink, not once. But then tonight I was supposed to meet someone there--he hooked up with some chick instead, so there I was all by myself, enjoying my non-alcoholic beer," he shuddered. "And out of nowhere this woman appeared, who I couldn't take my eyes off."

Richie stopped in mid-step, looking at her expectantly, hoping he hadn't lost her with all that.

"So... you're saying this is destiny?" ... was her response.

"I'm saying... I think it's more than a happy coincidence, that's all."

"This is pretty heavy for a first date."

Richie chuckled as he took a step towards her. "I just want you to know how I feel, Jane."

"After only a few hours?"

"No," Richie shook his head as he took another step towards her. "Try twenty years."

She nodded thoughtfully. "But nothing changes the fact that we live... worlds apart."

A soft sigh escaped Richie's lips as he took one more step towards her. "What do I have to do to convince you, Janie?" ... he asked, though he wasn't really looking for an answer.

Jane fought hard against every one of her instincts as Richie practically devoured her with his eyes. He slowly lowered his lips to hers, waiting for some indication of acceptance. He knew she wanted it just as much as he did, so it killed him when she pulled out.

"I'm sorry," she said, and turned away. She was intent on running all the way back to the hotel when Richie caught her wrist and spun her around. "Me too," he growled before pulling her tightly against him.

"What-"

Jane was cut off by the sweet, sweet taste of his lips on hers. She let herself enjoy it for one brief moment, before the reality of what would happen when this dream ended hit her. She pulled back sharply and slapped him clean across the face.

"Ow!" ... he cried. "What the hell was that for?"

"Because you're an idiot, Richie!" ... she spat. "An inconsiderate ass of an idiot!"

"I'm inconsiderate?!"

"I told you I didn't want this, but you just keep pushing-pushing and pushing until I can't fight it anymore."

Richie dropped his head in frustration. He wanted so desparately to make it better again, but what could he possibly say? He wasn't sorry for the kiss.

Maybe I am inconsiderate, he sighed.

He looked up again to find Jane walking away from him, disappearing into the night. Cursing himself for making her so upset, he started after her, knowing he had to fix this now or he might not get another chance to.

"Jane, wait!" ... he called. She only picked up her pace, causing Richie to pick up his. "Janie!" ... he called again. Finally she slowed down, letting him catch up with her. He moved in front of her, blocking her path, beckoning her to stop completely.

Jane came to a halt and crossed her arms. Looking past him she asked, "What?"

"You're right, I'm an idiot, please forgive me, friends?" ... he got out in one breath. The terrible job she was doing of suppressing her smile didn't go unnoticed by him either. "I know you can't stay mad at me forever," he said confidently.

"I can and I will," Jane replied with her nose in the air.

Richie couldn't take it anymore; as much fun as he'd been having, she frustrated him to no end. "I'll show you why you can't," he growled.

Without warning, he scooped Jane up by the waist and slung her over his shoulder.

"What are you doing?!" ... she questioned in alarm. She got her answer when Richie started running towards the ocean. "Don't even think about it!"

He kept going until he reached the water's edge, Jane kicking and screaming the whole way.

"Do you forgive me?" ... he asked, threatening to drop her as he leaned foward.

"I forgive you! Put me down!" ... she squealed.

"I'm not convinced," Richie teased. He took a big step foward. "I think that you..." another big step. "Just don't want to get wet," he continued.

"I'm serious, Richie!"

"I can tell!" ... he said with one more big step. Now they were nearly knee deep in the water.

"So put me down!" ... she squealed for a second time.

"Have dinner with me."

"What?!"

"Promise to have dinner with me... and I'll put you down."

Jane let out an exasperated sigh. "Rich, why do you have to-"

"Everyone needs to eat, Janie."

"This is true, " she admitted. "Put me down."

Richie did as she asked this time, but he didn't let her go completely. He kept his arms around her waist, holding her close to him, scared that she might run away if he didn't.

"You're not gonna give up, are you?"

"Nope," he shook his head.

Not this time.

"OK."

"OK? You mean yes?"

"Yes... I would just love to have dinner with you, Mr. Richie," Jane exaggerated.

"See, you can't stay mad at me," he winked. "I'm irresistible."

Jane rolled her eyes. "You're insane and I'm scared for my life."

"Well, if that's the way you feel..." Richie tried to pick her up again, but she somehow wiggled her way out of his arms.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" ... she screamed as she ran for the shore. "I take it back, you're irresistible."

Richie caught up to her in no time. Wrapping his arms around her he whispered, "So are you," into her ear.

Jane shivered feeling his warm breath on her neck. "I gotta go, Richie."

"I know."

She turned around to face him. "Goodnight," she said as she placed a soft kiss on his cheek.

"Goodnight, Ms. Janie."

Monday, February 23, 2009

004

Richie sat there, just staring at her, a hint of smugness in his soft smile. "Hi," he simply said.

"Hey," Jane breathed.

Richie cocked his head to the side as he leaned in just a little bit closer. "Why'd you put me through all of that?" he asked.

"You're the one who couldn't even remember me!"

"I kind of did," he reasoned. "If you'd just told me your name I would have figured it out a lot faster."

"And... ?" Jane pushed.

"What?"

"My name..."

"Ah," Richie smiled knowingly. "You don't believe that I remember you?"

"I do, I just wanna hear you say it."

"It would be pretty sad if I got it wrong, I'm not sure I wanna risk it."

Jane exhaled deeply, being as dramatic as she could. "Richie..." she sighed.

"That's my name."

"Stop teasing me," she pouted.

Richie leaned in closer yet again, his eyes holding hers as he did. "Janie," he whispered. He slowly pulled back and peered down at her, searching her face for any kind of response.

All the calmness Jane had felt before, largely aided by alcohol... and the fact that she was upset with Richie, was quickly fading away. She didn't know how to respond, all she could do was smile dimly as she let everything sink in. She'd thought about this moment so many times before; the moment when she'd finally see him again, and now here they were.

"Wow," she whispered back, after what felt like an eternity.

"Wow," Richie agreed. "It's good to see you, kid."

Jane laughed, "It's good to see you, adult."

Richie was beaming now, he couldn't help it. He couldn't believe it really was her. He'd thought about this moment many times before too, though it had never played out quite like this. "Let me buy you a drink," he offered once more.

"I don't think so, Rich. It's late and I've already had-"

"C'mon, just one? It's not like you have to drive home."

"No, but I do have to be somewhere in the morning," Jane explained. "Besides, what I said earlier still stands... I don't think it's a good idea."

"Yeah," Richie nodded. "What's with that?"

"You know what," she said with a deliberate smile. "I know where this is leading."

"Ah," Richie returned her smile. "So you think us is a bad idea?"

Jane contemplated her answer. She didn't want to say the wrong thing, but then she didn't want to give him the wrong idea either. "Us, at this time, is a bad idea... yes."

"So when will it be a good idea?"

"You're unbelievable," Jane laughed.

"Thank you," Richie grinned. "So listen, if you won't let me buy you a drink, at least take a walk with me..."

"A walk?"

"Yeah, I need to get outta this place."

"Rich, it's like two in the morning," she said as she looked at her watch.

"I know," he shrugged and stood up. "It's a beautiful night, there's a beach not too far from here..."

"I-"

"The moon's out big and bright."

Jane smiled as she realized what he was doing. "I'm over that," she said, standing to meet his mischievous grin.

"I'm not." Richie offered her his hand, his eyes begging her to take it. "Please?" he asked softly.

Friday, February 20, 2009

003

"Mind if I join you?" Richie asked as he approached her from behind, nearly immediately regretting this decision.

"Why?" Jane questioned, without missing a beat. She didn't turn around, she didn't tell him to sit; nothing. Just, "Why?"

Her tone wasn't nasty, not at all, but genuinely curious, and Richie didn't know how to answer. He wasn't even sure what the question was. "Wh-why what?"

"Why me?" she asked again, this time turning to him. "I mean really, you could have any girl here, right?" she nodded, willing him to agree with her.

"If you say so," was his reply, thinking it was best to stay as neutral as possible.

"So why me?" she asked for the third time as she took a small sip of her martini.

"Uh... well..." Richie thought about his answer; the truth? "The view is... spectacular over here." Nope. "It's the perfect place to scope out my next target."

He was sure he'd get at least a pity smile out of that, but she was doing a fine job of hiding any and all emotions... tough cookie, he thought.

Richie's brow furrowed as he tried to figure her out. He was feeling slightly deflated, but not ready to give up; he needed to find out what had drawn him to this woman... why her indeed.

"Look, I'm sorry," he said, trying a different route. "I feel like a total ass now, I should have taken the hint before."

Still no response, just big emerald green eyes staring back at him... damn. There was nothing for him to do now but walk away. He couldn't very well stand there talking to himself, could he?

Of course he could. "What are you drinking?" he asked.

Jane lifted her martini to her lips and took another small sip, almost finishing it. "Can I buy you another?" he offered. She shook her head no, "but thank you," she added.

Richie's mouth dropped open in feigned shock, "She speaks!" he exclaimed. "I was beginning to think I'd imagined that God forsaken question."

"It wasn't that difficult, was it?" Jane asked coyly, knowing full well. She wasn't trying to be impossible, but it was obvious then that Richie had no idea who she was, and that hurt a little; she decided she wasn't going to give him an inch.

She thought it had been working too, but he was clearly beginning to break through.

"It totally put a block on my mojo."

"No it didn't," she reassured him, trying desperately to suppress the smile that was threatening her lips.

Richie cocked his head to the side and grinned. "Oh really?" he drawled, having caught her moment of weakness. "I'm Richie, by the way."

"I know who you are," she said, just a tinge of haughtiness carrying her tone, which made Richie feel terribly guilty... for what, he had no idea.

Oookaaay... "What am I missing?"

Jane snorted, "Probably a lot."

Richie was a little taken aback by that. He was seriously confused, this girl was very tough to read. One minute she's not talking at all, the next she's joking - flirting even, and then she's... angry? For what?

"Sorry," Jane finally offered after seeing the look on his face. She hadn't meant to be quite so sharp. She turned away from him and back to the bar, padding the stool next to her, beckoning him to sit.

He did, though not without a little hesitation. He hoped this one wasn't crazy.

"I get the feeling I'm the one who should be sorry, for something, I don't know what-"

"Richie, the truth is..."

Richie... he loved hearing her say his name.

"... I'm a little hurt," Jane shrugged. "I-you don't remember me," she finished softly.

That hit Richie like a ton of bricks. The way he was drawn to her, the familiarity he felt, her manner with him, it all made perfect sense.

He watched as she nervously traced the rim of her now empty glass, a crooked smile forming on his face. This wasn't the same girl he'd been talking to five minutes ago. This girl was even more familiar.

Here goes, he thought. Richie gently took hold of her tracing hand, causing her to turn back to him. "My turn to tell the truth... the answer to your God forsaken, mojo blocking question," he started as he smiled sweetly. "I felt like I knew you, or like I should know you... I guess you reminded me of someone."

Richie shrugged slightly as he gave Jane her hand back, though he kept holding her gaze. "That someone must have been you."

Jane felt her heart skip a beat. She was so entranced by his touch that she barely heard most of what he'd said.

They both looked at each other expectantly, Jane waiting for Richie to say her name, Richie waiting for her to tell him what it was. He scrunched up his face when he realized that wasn't happening.

"Not even a hint?" he pleaded.

Jane just pursed her lips. "I like watching you squirm," she said.

"You gotta help me out a little bit," he pouted. "Tell me something about yourself."

"Like what?"

"I dunno, I mean... oh, I got it!" Richie exclaimed as he thought of a game. "What would your personal ad say?" Some game.

"My personal ad?" Jane asked incredulously.

"Yeah," Richie wriggled his eyebrows. "If you were to put a personal ad in-"

"I know what you mean," she rolled her eyes. "But I would never take out a personal ad."

"No, I know, but for the sake of me remembering who you are... what would it say?"

"Well I don't know, it would take a lot of consideration, a lot of edits and rewrites."

Richie again pouted as he looked at her with those big puppy dog eyes. "Throw me a bone, would ya?"

Jane knew from past experiences that the look on his face right now was one that got him whatever he wanted. "Fine," she began. "Let's see... shy thirty-something, brown hair, green eyes, loves black, hates politicians, likes to poke things with stick..."

Richie chuckled, "Wow... that was grim."

"I know! It went down hill towards the end there didn't it?"

"Pretty much after the green eyes bit," Richie quipped as he set his elbow on the bar, resting his chin in the palm of his hand. "This is what I would say, if I were you I mean..."

Jane smirked, "Go on..."

"Confidently shy thirty-something, lustrous brown hair, deep... enchanting green eyes... any guy would get lost in..." Richie spoke slowly, pronouncing each word as if it were taboo; a secret of sorts, as he himself got lost in her eyes. He cleared his throat and continued, speaking much faster this time. "Beautiful, funny, great sense of humor-"

"Thank you."

Richie smiled and nodded, "Obviously you'd have to lie a little bit."

"Hey!" Jane laughed as she swatted his arm. "That wasn't funny."

"You're laughing."

"It's not laughter, it's-

"A shriek? A cackle?"

Jane leered at him through squinted eyes, "It was a pity laugh."

"Ouch!" Richie winced as he clutched his chest with both hands. "That was brutal."

"You asked for it."

"I know, I'm sorry! I totally regret saying it. You definitely do not shriek or cackle."

"Thank you, apology accepted," Jane said in her haughty voice.

"Now, where was I?" Richie started on the personal ad again. "Oh right, great sense of humor... we might have to edit that one out."

Jane leered again, using all her strength not to give him even the slightest smile. "You said I'd have to lie a little bit anyway."

"I did, didn't I? I guess we could just change it from great to good."

Richie was ready to make his move now. He had her figured out. There was no one else in the world this girl could possibly be, he just couldn't believe it had taken him so long. He was lucky she'd even given him the time of day, considering.

"Alright, so to summarize," he began. "Shy, thirty, brown hair, green eyes, yada, yada, yada, good sense of humor... sound pretty good?"

"It does, I'm contemplating using it now," Jane joked. "Has it helped you remember me though?" she asked, completely pessimistic as there was no real information in there whatsoever .

"I think we need to add a couple more things first."

"Like what?"

"Well," he started as his eyes traveled down her body. "Great legs."

"Richie!"

"What? It's a compliment, say thank you."

"Thank you," she mimicked.

"You're welcome, and secondly..." Richie paused deliberately until his eyes found hers again. "Loves guitarists."

Jane snorted, "You're so-"

"Doesn't believe in destiny," he finally got out. "But is starting to acknowledge it's existence because it's been fucking with her a lot as of late. Are we getting close?"

"I-I... I think we hit the nail on the head."

002

Jane's first instinct was to run away as she felt him approaching... like a moth to a flame, she thought. That's exactly what they were.

"Mind if I join you?" He asked as he finally arrived.

She'd already turned him down once, why couldn't he take the hint and just leave her alone?

**********

She'd been enjoying the last of her fourth martini when the waiter had appeared and placed another one in front of her.

"From the gentleman over there," he'd said, pointing towards a man at the other end of the bar. "He'd like you to join him."

Jane had recognized him instantly, and almost disregarded what she'd promised herself before she made the trip to New York. After everything that had happened in the last few months, she really wasn't looking for anything, least of all a one night stand... even if it was with him.

She'd looked back at the waiter hesitantly before speaking. "Tell him I'm flattered, but I'm not looking for any company tonight."

He'd nodded his understanding before Jane added, "Tell him I don't think it would be a very good idea."

She hoped she hadn't offended him. Hell, she hoped she hadn't offended any of the men who'd offered to buy her a drink, but she did promise herself.

She was actually surprised at herself for not willing to break that promise for him, but the question that burned her brain probably gave her the answer too... why didn't he come over to talk to me himself?

She didn't want to believe he'd forgotten her, but had he? Did he just not recognize her, or was he playing? Knowing him, he was probably playing, but she still couldn't shake that little bit of doubt.

She knew it was better this way though. He could charm the pants off of her without even trying, and she didn't want that. Was it wrong of her to pretend she didn't know him? Should she have gone and said hello? No. She had more important things to worry about... like getting another drink.

As she started on her fifth martini, she couldn't help but steal another glance at him. She watched his reaction as the waiter told him what she'd said, and smiled a little when she recognized the look of confusion on his face... only he would be confused by that.

**********

And that was when it had happened.

**********

Jane had felt like a deer caught in the headlights when his eyes finally met with hers, in just a fleeting second he had her completely spellbound... dammit.

It wasn't that she didn't want to see him again, it was that the timing was about the worst it had ever been. And it had always been pretty bad for them.

She reluctantly broke their gaze and turned away, believing now that it really would be a bad idea for them to be anywhere near each other. Just one more look into those big brown eyes and she'd be a goner... who am I kidding?

She already was.

001

Richie sat at the opposite end of the bar, watching as she quietly sipped on her martini. She'd unknowingly caught his attention the moment she'd walked through the door, and just about every other guy in the room seemed to be fixated on her as well. One by one they'd approached her, offering their best pick up line no doubt, and one by one she'd turned them down. He had to laugh at their attempts, and the way she handled them.

She'd been polite at first, seemingly more embarrassed at rejecting these guys than they were at being rejected. But as the night wore on and the drinks piled up, she was becoming a little... less reserved, which made things more interesting. It amused him anyway.

He contemplated his next move for a good five minutes, wondering if he should bother or not, finally deciding that there was no harm in trying. He downed the last of his beer and motioned one of the waiter's over, ordering another before whispering something into his ear. Richie then sat back and watched as the young man made his way over to this woman, hoping not to be rejected like the rest.

The empathetic look on the waiter's face told him he had.

"Sorry, sir." he said as he approached Richie. "She thanks you, but she's not looking for any company tonight." The waiter paused for a second before continuing, "She said it would be a bad idea."

Bad idea? This confused Richie, especially as the waiter said it like there was some hidden meaning he should understand in that little message. But he didn't. Was it just a general rule for her? Don't converse with guys in bars... musicians maybe? Me? You pompous shit, she's probably never even heard of you.

He cringed at his own assumption... like everyone in the world should know who you are.

But then again, maybe that was the reason she didn't think it would be a good idea.

Richie sighed as he looked in her direction once more, only to find her staring right back at him. They both smiled as their eyes met, and for a fleeting second it seemed as though they were the only two people left on Earth. He felt like he was peering into the deepest part of her soul, and she his.

It was then that a warm feeling of familiarity rushed over him, and he was damn sure she felt it too. A slight blush before suddenly breaking their gaze and completely turning away from him had given it away... pompous shit or not, she does, he thought as he smiled to himself.

Personally or as a fan, he wasn't sure, but she knew who he was.

He started racking his brain, searching the deepest, darkest corners of his mind trying to remember, but nothing came, and it was killing him. Forgetting a beauty like her seemed impossible... it could have been years ago.

Maybe they didn't know each other at all... only one way to find out.