By Tuesday Eric no longer felt nervous about meeting Lydia for coffee. They’d texted back and forth for a day and a half and he quickly realized that perhaps he had assumed too much about her in their initial meeting earlier that year.

Eric parked his Accord across from Gio’s, paid the meter and crossed the street. A kid on a bike zipped by as he stepped up onto the corner.

“Whoa!”
“That was a close one,” the messenger shouted as he raced down the suburb street.
“Seriously?”

Just as Eric had gotten a hand on his nerves, he was flustered by the sudden rush of adrenaline. He tugged on his sweater and put his hands in his pockets. He crinkled his nose to stop his glasses from slipping off his face. Across from the door, and by a window terrace Eric found Lydia sitting with a book and two menus.

“Excuse me, is this seat taken?”
“No. It’s got your name on it.”
“Have you been waiting long?”
“No. Not at all. I was afraid I might get lost, so I left my hotel early. But your directions were perfect so I had no trouble.”
“Great.”
“Saw you almost get run over just now. You alright?”
“Yea, sure. He just ruffled my feathers a little bit.”
“What kind of bird are you any way?”
“Canary?”

Lydia smiled as Eric whistled. The gesture was juvenile and witty. Only made more amusing by the bright yellow sweater under his leather jacket. Subtle humor. She liked it.

“So, I’ve got a list here for you. Would you like me to go over some of the places I recommended?”
“Right to business I see.”
“Well, I don’t want to waste your time.”
“Not at all. I’m all ears, and if there’s something you think we could do as a group I would love to hang out with you, and your family.”
“You mentioned you fly out next Monday?”
“Yea, on a red-eye to London,”
“Business or pleasure?”
“Business. Looking at getting Jessie Ware to join our network. My week in New York is much needed time off.”
“So what of your meetings yesterday?”
“Casualties, in a kill two birds, one stone kind of way.”

In that moment Lydia noticed the dimple in Eric’s left cheek. She wasn’t sure why she hadn’t noticed it before. It was obvious when his smirk became a smile. He was smart, and handsome, but she sensed that he was trying not to be intimidated by her. She leaned back to give him space and averted her eyes to the server behind him.

“Can I have a white mocha with soy milk please, and a blueberry muffin.”
“Of course, and for you sir?”
“A small margarita pizza.”
“Anything to drink?”
“Mountain dew.”
“Great. One bill?”
“Yes, thank you.” Eric responded.
“No. There’s no need.”
“Please let me. My treat.”
“Fine.”

Lydia tried to hide her displeasure.

“We’ll split it.”
“I’d rather we not, but if you insist,” Eric conceded.
“I insist. I appreciate your generosity.”
“A matter of hospitality, politeness and the way I was raised. My father was very traditional.”
“And your mother?”
“Some what, but less so.”
“How did they handle Mya?”
“My father, kept her grounded actually and my mother was intuitive, and very sensitive.”
“Do you miss them?”
“Very much, but their memory is with me all the time.”
“Funny enough, that’s how I would describe Mya.”
“Intuitive and sensitive of others? Yes, me too, for sure. Mya was a lot like our mom. She reminds me of her often.”
“Have you two always been close?”
“No, but we are now.”

Lydia was curious about her friend and her family, but an eagerness to know more about Mya’s twin brother was quickly getting the best of her.”

“So, you moved to New York…When? Was it 5 years ago?”
“Yea. That’s right, to be with the family. I’m glad I did. Our parents’ health wasn’t so great.”
“That must have been tough.”
“It was, but we found a way to make things work between the two of us. Do you have siblings Lydia?”
“No. Not that I know of.”

Eric resisted the urge to take his phone out of his pocket. He knew he’d only be trying to distract himself from this beautiful woman. Her hair was pulled away from her face to highlight her face and eyes. The deep dark brown of her eyes was intoxicating. Her smile stretched upward exposing a line of straight beautiful teeth. Her curls stopped just below he collar bone, resting on her chest and cradling the sides of her face. He had found himself staring at her mouth as it formed around words and he noticed the way the corners of her mouth rose with the inflections of her voice after each question.

“Are you still up to going to the gallery? Mya invited us.”
“Of course. Certainly. I’ve been looking forward to it.”

Eric wasn’t certain where to trod next. Although Lydia had no reservations about asking personal questions he did not feel the same. Understandably Mya would have shared many of the things she had brought up so far, but where was it polite to begin?

“So, let me tell you some more about myself. I have an unfair advantage, knowing Mya and all.”
“That would be great.”

The server put their order in front of them, asked if they needed anything and then left them to their conversation.

“I’m an artist at heart. I am a dancer and singer. I was a backup dancer for awhile, and then decided to study Arts Management.”
“Mya said you love theater.”
“I do. It’s an incredibly versatile art form.”
“Indeed. I enjoy watching. Unfortunately I have pretty bad stage fright.”
“That’s awful.”
“Yea. It sucks.” Eric blushed.
“What are your strengths then?”
“Give me an equation, or a chemical formula and then I’ll shine.”
“Math, Physics, Biology?”
“All of the above. With Medical Engineering being my contribution to society.”
“Has it been worth it?”
“Yes. Most of my work has been worthwhile.”
“So California vs. New York?”
“Depends on the the day of the week and the time of year. They’re night and day in a lot of ways. Each state has its allure. In this season of my life, New York is where I need to be right now.”
“And will you go with me, Off Broadway?”
“When? Are you sure? Should I invite Mya?”
“Friday evening. That’s really up to you. Doubt she’d want to be a third wheel.” Lydia joked.
“But, just so I’m clear, Friday is not a date.”
“Well…go ahead and bring Mya and Casey. I’d love to see them both.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I would love to get to know you better, it’s just that it may take some time.”
“Ok?” Lydia gave Eric a quizzical look.
“Do you really want me to explain?”
“Yes I would. It sounds like a conversation starter.”
“I guess. The reality is, you are an incredibly attractive woman, and phenomenally charismatic. So much so that I find that I am very attracted to you. On onehand, I am not going to assume that you date men, and on the other that you would consider dating me.”
“Fair. A progressive perspective. And what if I was interested in dating you?”
“I’d want you to know that I’m currently…”

Eric hesitated as he considered how Lydia might interpret what he was about to say.

“…celibate”

Lydia thought before she spoke, and considered any various number of reasons and possibilities and then simply decided to ask rather than presume.

“Why?”
“Personal, and religious reasons.”
“And who is your God?”
“I am a Christian actually.”’
“Fair enough. I won’t pry any further than that. To each his own.”
“And your faith?”
“Searching.”
“How long have you been celibate? If you don’t mind me asking.”
“Three years actually.”
“Painful?”
“No. A time of renewal, and spent in pursuit of other things.”
“And your last relationship?”
“Six years ago. I was engaged to an incredible woman I met in California. She was Swiss. A lot of things changed when my parents fell ill.”
“You changed?”
“Yes, as did my priorities.”
“The more you tell me, the more I am infinitely curious of your story, and how it is you’ve changed.”

Eric was torn between being skeptical, and intrigued. In small subtle ways Lydia’s confidence and frankness aroused him and peaked his interest, but he still had reservations. A fluid chemistry had overtaken their conversation. As he noticed their body language, there were cues that made it obvious they were attracted to each other. Of course Lydia didn’t quite realize that the more comfortable she got the more her shoulders relaxed, her eyes softened and that she had begun to lean into their conversation again. It was astute of Eric not to assume that she was attracted to men. She hadn’t dated one for some time, and honestly she wouldn’t have picked him out of a crowd at a busy nightclub.

He stood 6 feet 3 inches, and towered over her 5feet 4 in frame. He was thin, and muscular but not wry. His eyes glowed when they weren’t hidden behind his glasses. They were a shade of hazel brown that made them look darker at night. His voice was a smooth baritone, without being too low. His hands, they were large, and his fingers were long, and thick at the fingertips from years of building machines, and engineering prototypes. He carried himself well, and sensed that he made the most of charm and wit to compensate for his shyness. His hair was cut low, but you could still see that he was of foreign heritage. There was no guessing for her, but knew that most people would have a hard time placing that he was an Afro-Cuban man. It wasn’t that she had never found a man of color attractive, she had just never connected, clicked, or even had the urge to pursue a person of color. It was a first. Mya had seen through her reservations, and had certainly pinpointed the chemistry between them.

“By the way, had I met you before Mya’s show?”
“I’m not certain. Maybe at her graduation?”
“Are you sure you and Mya and your sorority sisters hadn’t gone to Las Vegas for Spring Break.”
“Oh my goodness! That’s kind of embarrassing. You’re right. We both looked very different in college!”
“Were you a brunette?” Eric asked.
“Did you have shoulder length hair, and maybe 60 more pounds?”
“Yes,” they both nodded.
“I was a brunette for a role,” Lydia explained, “ I think it was Clean House”
“I like that play.”
“I loved being a part of it. It was intense.”
“How long did it run?”
“Three weekends.”
“Neat.”
“So, what about your change?”
“I played football in college.”
“Never would have guessed that.”
“Yea. It was a good run. Was a good team.”
“Any other sports?”
“Basketball, during my last year.”
“Do you get to watch Casey’s games?”
“Most of them. She’s pretty good.”
“She’s a Lyster.”
“Fair assertion.”

He instinctively understood the nuanced reference to Mya’s work ethic, her deliberate mind, alongside the family’s height and agility, as well as uncanny speed.

“So, are you ready to go to the gallery?”
“Yes, most certainly.”

They split the bill, and Eric tipped their server. As they walked out, Eric got her chair, helped her put on her jacket and gently placed his hand on the small of her back as she stepped down onto the sidewalk. His chivalry noticed by Lydia with enthusiasm.

“How did you like Gio’s?”
“I enjoyed it. That muffin was delicious,” Lydia smiled.
“The staff is really friendly, and the service and the ambiance are so different than what you get in crowded commercial coffee shops.”
“That’s true. Great recommendation.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” Eric held her door open.
“Okay. I’ll meet you at the gallery. I just need to pick something up from the hotel.”
“Sounds good.”

He closed her car door and made sure she was settled before going back to his car across the street. Then he sat down, and took a deep breath. His skin was tingling all over. Blood rushed to his face as he realized that his body was overriding years of being indifferent to beautiful women. His body tensed up as he closed his eyes to process the whole thing. He had remembered a hotel party his sister had invited he and his friends to in Las Vegas. It had been a long time, but he remembered that at some point Mya and her line sisters had been topless, and drunk. Perhaps Lydia had forgotten the night.

“Bryan, do you remember Junior year, Spring Break in Las Vegas?”
“Of course! Everyone was drunk, except you and maybe Jenna’s puppy. Scratch that. I think he was sipping beer off the floor.”
“How do you remember that?”

Bryan’s tone changing to imitate a Middle Eastern spiritual guru.

“I make it my business to remember, because those are the forgotten years my brother. But why do you inquire of my memory?”

Eric chuckled.

“Oh nothing, I just had coffee with one of Mya’s line sisters, and I had a vague recollection of that night in Vegas.”
“Oh yes! The twelve most beautiful racks I’ve seen, all lined up in a row!”
“Okay, okay. Thanks.”
“Glad to have helped. Is she still hot?”
“She’s incredible.”

Bryan could recognize the infatuation in his best friend’s voice, made note of it and knew he would be hearing more of this woman, soon enough.

“When are you coming out to California my friend?”
“Hopefully in January. Been thinking, do we still rent that studio? Is anyone in it?”
“Yea we do, and no, not right now. Why?”
“May need you to send me the paperwork for the lease. Gonna try to send Mya out to California for a few months. She needs some time away.”
“What about Casey?”
“I’ll take care of her for awhile. She won’t die from leftovers.”
“Talked to her about your plan?”
“Soon enough.”