I get to the back door, swiftly push through it, and my eyes quickly scan the parking lot. It took me a second, but I finally spotted him. Well, I spot the back of him as he's still walking away.
"Ander, please wait!" I call out way too loudly for this parking lot, which only he and I are standing in, with tons of empty parked cars.
I slow my feet and make my way towardAnderson Anthony Cole. He stops walking as he approaches a big red and gold two-tone Ford F-250. I can see his shoulders slump forward as he takes a breath and turns to face me. I'm closer to him now, but there's still a distance between us, and I stop in my tracks.
He is more stunning than I could have imagined he would be.
"Rosie, listen, I had no idea. Maverick wouldn't even tell me the girl's name that I was supposed to—" He starts to say with apologetic eyes as I hold up my hand softly to signal for him to stop talking, so he does.
We both stand there for a beat and look each other over. Hearing him say his nickname for me hits me.
Hard.
I can't help but smile as I exhale a quick breath. My eyes scan over him, taking in and savoring the sight of him. He's even more gorgeous than he was when we were teens. Which I didn't think was possible.
He now has that kind of manly look that wasn't there the last time we saw one another. He looks far from clean-cut; his callused hands are a clear giveaway. His square jawline is still as breathtaking as ever but is now accompanied by a short-cut, clean-lined beard, which suits him well. His dark hair is cut short on the sides and longer up top but pulled back by his black,backward-facing baseball cap. He seems to have tattoos spread throughout his arms down to his fingertips; I see quite a few on both arms and the possibility of more underneath his shirt sleeves. Those caramel-brown eyes are just as piercing as they've always been.
Brown eyes on anyone else look like brown eyes, but on him, they've always looked like a dream you could get lost in.
He has that kind of handsome look, as if he doesn't stop the show when he walks into a room, but you damn sure can't help but notice his presence, either.
He's wearing a fitted black shirt with a black leather jacket over it. His dark blue denim jeans aren't tight yet aren't baggy either; they fit him just right. I giggle when I see he's wearing all black Converse. His style hasn't changed much at all. He may look so different, so much more mature and even more handsome than I thought possible, but he still looks just likehimself. Just like the image of him, it's etched in my memory, and I'll never be able to forget it.
I guess the smile on my lips spreads to him as he lets out a smile, too. One that's so inviting. If he's taking me in the way I'm taking him in, he must think I've let myself go. I was losing my shit and sobbing in the bathroom- I could about imagine how horrific I look right now.
I break the silence, which is not as awkward as I would expect it to be, by saying, "So,"
Ander replies with "I'm sorry," before I can get the chance to continue.
I grin and nod lightly, then raise my eyebrows as my face and voice both shift tones slightly, "You go by 'Bear' now, hmm?"
Ander chuckles and shakes his head, obviously confused by my question. I'm somewhat taken aback by the calmness that's taking over me. Then again, he's always put me at ease simply by being present.
"Coincidentally, I didn't choose it. I think the guys at work started calling me Bear because of my height and build. It kind of just stuck," he says with a smile—that same smile that has always made my heart flutter.
Taking him in, I can see why they chose 'Bear.' He's so tall and stocky. It makes sense.
Unsure what to say, I nod as I try to sort through all the thoughts rushing through my mind at the speed of light.
Ander presses his lips together into a straight line as he breathes.
"I know you don't want to hear this, but I must be honest. I'm happy it is you. It's great to see you, V. You look fantastic, which doesn't surprise me. I'd be lying to your face if I said this doesn't fucking hurt." He drops his head, and I want to rush to him out of instinct.
I don't.
I know I've hurt him. If I'm smart, I'll let him turn around and leave now before I hurt him worse. Well, I'm not smart, not when it comes to him. I've been strong and kept away from him for too damn long. He lifts his head back up, and as his eyes meet mine, his lips curve into a smile that grows wide, and his caramel-brown eyes twinkle.I swear that they fucking twinkle.
"Would you want to go back inside… with me?"
I'm still in shock, and the sadness that I felt when I first laid my eyes on him is slowly subsiding...However, I'm sad that he's still searching for love. I had convinced myself that he was off living a fairytale romance, The same kind I had once dreamed of having with him. Convincing myself of that had given me peace over all these years. Now, I am finding out that isn't the case and that his reality is more similar to mine, which shatters my heart for him. The fact that he's in front of me right now is miraculous, and I can't just let him leave. It still baffles me that he told Maverick he didn't want to hurt me. I hope he doesn't think mymess is his fault. He could never be to blame. He's here now, and I have this sudden desire to know everything about him and his life that I can't push down.
He smiles a smile that causes a bolt of electricity to jolt through my entire being.
Six years have passed, and there's no way this boy— Well, he is a man now, no denying that.AT ALL.— Could still have this 'love-sick puppy' effect on me.
He extends his arm, motioning toward the door. "After you," that smug grin still dances on his face.
I turn and start walking back towards the restaurant out of the parking lot, hearing Ander's footsteps following close behind me. This is all so surreal. I can't help but let out a little soft laugh. The noise sounds foreign coming from my mouth. I have laughed more in recent years than previously, but not this sound. It's the genuine escape from my gut kind of laugh without even trying to force it.
