Chapter 41-Old Flame

I was lost in thought trying to process what I had learned from my father.  How could everything be so wrong?  How could the simple life I'd grown up in been such a huge lie.  I still didn't understand why me, why is she punishing me for what he did to her?
"Hello beautiful."
I turned and saw him standing there.  This couldn't have been just a coincidence.

"Hello Marcus."
"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?  When did you get back?"
"Yesterday."
"You look good."
"Thanks.  So do you."
We sat and talked for a while.  I had forgotten how easy it was to talk to him.  I missed having a friend I didn't have any in Los Aniegos.  I hated being alone I needed someone.

"So make my day and tell me you're moving back."
"No, it's just a visit.  I needed to see my parents."
He looked disappointed.  Surely he had a girlfriend or a wife by now.  Marcus was a great guy and I knew some lucky lady had done what I couldn't and married him.
"So are you married?"
"No.  I guess no one could compare to the one that got away." he smiled and touched my hand.  I don't know why but it made me uncomfortable.
"What about you?"
"I don't think I'll be that lucky."  He looked confused by my answer.  "It's a long story for another time." I said trying to change the subject.
We talked for a while longer when my stomach started growling.
"Want to go get a bite to eat?"
"Yes that would be great."
We went to The Watering Hole.  It was an old dive bar that we would hang out at after class playing darts or foosball.

The more time I spent with him the more I started feeling sorry for myself and the life I could have had.

"Are you ok?"
"Yeah I'm fine.  Just doing a bit of thinking."
"About me I hope."  he flashed me another smile and I couldn't help but smile back.
"Want a drink?"
"That would be great."

We drank and talked some more.  He was now a CEO and loved his job.  He got to travel all the time and saw all the amazing places we dreamed about going.
"You want another?"
I should have said no.  I was always a light weight when it came to drinking.  I was tipsy after two but I was now downing my third.
"Sure."
He walked over to the bartender but came back empty handed.
"Where are the drinks?"
"I don't want to be responsible for getting you drunk.  Your dad would kill me.  Besides I want to show you something."
He hailed a taxi for us.  We pulled up in front of my favorite house in town.  I had told him that I wanted to live in the historic district in this house when I got older.
"What are we doing here?"
"I thought you would like a tour."
"It's late and I don't think the owner would be very happy with two semi drunk people knocking on their door."
"I don't think he will mind."  he said smiling and dangling keys in front of me.

"You bought it!"
"Yep."
He took me inside for a tour.  The wall paper was a bit much but he said that he hadn't gotten around to redecorating yet.  After the tour he asked me if I wanted him to call a taxi to take me home but I said no.  We had more catching up to do.

"You broke my heart when you left me."
"I'm sorry.  It was just a bad time and I needed a change."
"I would have gone with you if you had asked."
"I couldn't let you drop everything for me.  That would have been too much to ask of you."
"You can make it up to me now."
"How?"

I was shocked at first when he kissed me but I started kissing him back. 
"Still as good as I remember." He whispered before kissing me again.  Things started getting more heated but I stiffened when I felt his hand under my shirt.
"We can stop."  Even now after all these years he was the same loving guy that never pressured me to go any further than I was comfortable with.  Amella would tell me he would grow tired of my hang ups and either leave me or cheat or both.  He did neither.
"I think I need another tour of your bedroom."