My eyes drop to watch his lips.
"Aurelius."
Damn!Aurelius….
As if it is quite common to meet a man named Aurelius in Alabama, I respond," Of course."
Aurelius.The last great Roman Emperor was Marcus Aurelius.My Latin is rusty, but Aureus is an adjective meaning golden.
My eyes twinkle.Aurelius suits you perfectly, Golden God.
When he sees my eyes sparkling, he asks."And your name, Miss Wright?"
"Siri."
"Siri?"He hums deep within his throat, and a confused look falls on his face.
"Like Apple's Siri," I explain.
He gives me a head nod, then says."Of course."Using the same voice inflection I used, making me giggle.
He's just playing with me.
He releases my hand and opens the door for me.I float through.There are a couple of ladies walking up, and he holds the door open for them as well.
They tell him."Thank you."
And he responds with, "Yes, Ma'am."
When he joins me, I smile at him."So, given Aurelius is Italian, how do you spell Ari?"
"A.U.R.E.I."He winks.
That wink is killer!
* * *
Aurei
* * *
Outside,the security lights are bright, illuminating the area.Siri walks so close to me that my sleeve keeps brushing her arm, then she playfully bumps me.
"So, Aurelius, how long have you served in the Army?"
"I gave them six years, but I'm not a lifer."
"Are you getting out then?"
"Yeah, yesterday was my last day flying.I'm officially on leave at midnight tonight while my paperwork is processed."
"Do you already have plans for what you'll do now?"
I grin at her."I have a business to step into."
"Oh, what kind of business?"
"I'm an investor."
