Our Second Forever

I was standing in line, waiting to make a deposit, when I noticed a handsome man behind me. There were hardly words to describe just how handsome he was. I kept stealing quick glances at him, pretending I was searching for someone else in the bank. While he did not bother pretending at all. His hazel eyes met mine every single time I looked back, calm and steady, like he knew exactly what I was doing and did not mind one bit.

I noticed the faint smile pulling at the corners of his thin pink lips. Even when he pulled his hat lower, trying to hide his face, I knew I would never forget him, and I did not want to. It was not until the teller rang his bell three times that I realized it was finally my turn.

“Just making a deposit,” I said.

He smiled kindly as he took the slip and the cash. “Have a nice day.”

I smiled back, even though I knew he had to say it. Still, his gentle tone stayed with me longer than it should have. My business at the bank was finished, yet I found myself wanting to linger just a little longer, long enough to learn his name or at least say hello.

As I passed him in line, I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. Though his attention was on the paper in his hand, he looked up, his lips parting slightly as if he wanted to say something. I smiled and looked ahead, not wanting to trip and embarrass myself in front of him. It made me wonder, would he catch me if I fell? Would he come over to see if I was okay?

I took one last look at him and was not surprised to find him looking back at me. His smile was wider this time, and our eyes held for a moment longer than before. I smiled back, doubting we would ever meet again, but if we did, it would take a miracle. Maybe life would finally be kind to me, just once.

I stepped outside into the sharp Chicago cold. Winter had not arrived yet, but the Windy City was already threatening freezing temperatures and heavy snow. I crossed the street to the café where I always met my best friend, Vanessa. Every Wednesday, we had lunch together, no matter how busy life became.

I could not help staring at the bank door, half expecting to see my unnamed man walk out, but he never did. I drummed my fingers on the table while checking my rose gold Rolex watch, its diamonds catching the light each time I moved my wrist. I was starting to feel impatient. Nessa knew I hated waiting. She also knew I hated being alone in one place for too long because it made me anxious and restless.

Just then, the café door chimed. My head snapped up right away, thinking it was Vanessa, but I was surprised to see him instead. Our eyes met, and once again, he smiled at me. I smiled back, but he did not come over. Instead, he took the table directly across from me and sat down. His smile never faded as he continued to look my way, and I could not decide if it made my heart race or my stomach twist.

It felt a little strange having him sit there alone, staring at me. Then again, how did he feel with me staring and smiling back at him? A moment later, three people joined him, two men and one woman. The woman leaned in and kissed his cheek as if she had done it many times before.

She whispered something near his ear, and he smiled wide, showing straight white teeth and deep dimples on his cheeks. She reached up and took off his hat, revealing messy dark brown hair and thick brows. I swore my heart stopped. He was even more handsome than I imagined from what I had seen under the hat. I needed a distraction to stop myself from staring like a fool.

Thankfully, Vanessa finally arrived. I greeted her with a warm smile, and we switched seats so she could face him instead of me.

I raised a brow at her brightly colored hair.

“Like it?” she asked, flipping it back with confidence.

“Love it,” I said, touching a strand and smiling.

Nessa never followed rules. She believed in expressing herself fully and was never afraid to tell people exactly how she felt. A smile spread across her long, beautiful face, though her striking green eyes stayed serious.

“So, how was your day?” she asked.

“Not over yet,” I groaned.

I wanted to tell her about the mysterious man so badly, but I knew her well. She would push me to talk to him, stare harder, or do something bold to get his attention, and I was not ready for that kind of pressure. Instead, I talked about how the real estate work was going while she filled me in on gossip about the new male art teacher. She thought he would be perfect for me, which made me roll my eyes.

“You need to start dating again,” Vanessa said as she hugged me goodbye. “Stop feeling sorry for yourself and let someone love you.”

I laughed softly. “Yeah, when pigs fly.”

***

I turned to leave and walked straight into him. He looked down at me through long lashes, and his strong, masculine cologne filled my senses so suddenly that I had to steady myself. “Sorry,” he said smoothly.

I opened my mouth to reply, but before I could speak, his friends pulled him away. I stood there watching as he glanced back at me one more time. “Well, there goes my chance,” I muttered as I walked toward where I had parked earlier.

I had one last stop before heading home. I needed to visit my newly opened salon to get my hair done before starting my day tomorrow. I needed a trim, and I planned to straighten my naturally curly red hair.

I had a busy day starting at five a.m., and I had high hopes for myself. I wanted to break my record by selling six houses in one day, especially since one of those houses had enough space for a potential family.

“Welcome, Royal-Reign,” the receptionist greeted as soon as I stepped inside.

I smiled at her. “Your stylist will be with you shortly. He is just finishing up with another client,” she added kindly.

I took a seat in the waiting area, and the moment I did, I was offered lemon water and orange slices. “Thanks,” I said with a polite smile to the salon attendant. After waiting for half an hour and flipping through three sports magazines and one style magazine, Enzo finally called for me.

“Welcome, welcome. Looking as stunning as ever,” he said, kissing both of my cheeks before leading me to his chair. “If I was not gay, I would have courted you already. A beautiful woman like you should not be single,” he added as he snapped a blue cape around my beige O-neck Chanel dress.

“This lovely head of hair,” Enzo said as he played with it, giving me a small scalp massage before working his magic. “I love your hair,” he gushed, spinning the chair around and snapping a few photos. “So lovely,” he said, pretending to cry.

“Oh, Enzo,” I laughed, lightly slapping his arm. “Wish me luck for tomorrow.”

“Oh, darling, you do not need luck. You are a walking blessing, a charm,” Enzo said proudly.

I smiled and waved goodbye once he was finished. When I stepped out into the night air, I pulled my shawl tighter around my shoulders. Before getting into my car, I noticed the man from the bank again. He was across the street, stepping out of a bookstore. He lifted the collar of his coat to his neck and walked away without looking around. I watched him until he turned the corner and disappeared from sight.

I wished, in that moment, that I had said something to him, but what could I have said? Hi, I think you are cute. Be my boyfriend, or at least my friend. The thought made me shake my head at myself. I got into my car and drove off in the opposite direction, doubting I would ever see him again. The city of Hinsdale was big, after all.

I made it home just as it started to rain and began preparing for the next day. I gathered the brochures I needed and laid out my outfit carefully across the chair. By ten, I was in bed, letting the internet distract me from my own thoughts. I was not sure when I fell asleep, but when I woke up, it was almost time for my alarm to go off, so I decided to get up and start getting ready.