Behind Brown Eyes

by Nicole Highland

  I inhaled a sharp breath in a feeble attempt to calm my nerves. She’ll be here any minute now, I kept telling myself.

  A few minutes passed, and Natalie still hadn’t arrived. I wonder what’s taking so long, I thought. Then I remembered; she was probably talking to Mrs. Worthington. Mrs. Worthington was usually very talkative, and considering she’d never met Natalie, she would probably have a lot to say to her.

  Rather than wait for her to show up at my door, I decided to head down to the lobby instead and wait for her there. There was no sense in making her go up to my apartment. I needed to be a gentleman and greet her upon her arrival, because that was what she deserved.

  I stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the main floor. Every floor at that passed brought me closer to her, and I longed to take her into my embrace, though I wasn’t entirely sure if that would be a good idea or not. I didn’t want to come off overbearing.

  But God, I wanted so badly to hold her in my arms, and breathe in the soft, luscious scent of her hair.

  The elevator stopped, and the time had finally come. I had to put my nervousness on the back burner. Time to be calm and collected, I thought. From a distance I noticed a blonde woman standing at Mrs. Worthington’s desk. I knew immediately who it was.

  Natalie.

  She stood, looking as beautiful as ever, her short blonde hair in its same mess of curls. She looked older now, but in a sophisticated way, and I yearned to kiss her sweet, supple lips once again. I knew it was wrong to feel that way, but God help me, she was just so damn beautiful, and I’d missed her so much. My heartbeat continued to race with every step I took toward her.

  The minute we locked eyes, it was over, and I knew I could never afford to lose her again. I had to win her back. I loved her too much go through the heartache one more time.

  My breath caught in my throat, and I scrambled as I tried to figure out the right words to say. I had a million things i wanted to tell her, but in that moment, I couldn’t choose the right words to convey how I’d been feeling the last seven years without her. There simply weren’t enough words in the English language to describe how I felt.

  Her gaze fixated upon me as she studied every part of me, and my gaze was locked in on her. Her beauty was still breathtaking, and I stood in awe. I couldn’t believe this moment had finally arrived.

  Fumbling in my head with what to say, I chose my words carefully. There was a part of me that wanted to go overboard and lavish her with love, but I knew that wouldn’t be wise despite how badly I wanted to do it.

  “I had a feeling you’d still be down here talking to Mrs. Worthington,” I said, offering my signature grin.

  Her cheeks flushed, and I could tell she was as nervous as I was. She smiled as I offered her my hand.

  “Walk with me,” I said as I took her delicate hand in mine.

  Little did we know our lives were about to change forever.