Love Against the Odds

Chapter Four

The next morning I headed out to the thrift store dumpster with ideas of airplanes and angels going through my mind. Once I started digging around Jeff from the store came out the back door. He knows me well and overlooks my dumpster diving. Sometimes he will set and item aside if he thinks I can use it. “Rayne I have someone coming back here to load some furniture, could you please get out of dumpster until he is gone?” 

“Okay, I will try to look less like a dumpster rat and more like young lady to protect your reputation.” I said sarcastically.

Just then an old pick up truck came down the alley backwards. Out jumped a man with the most gorgeous blue eyes I have ever seen. No, I think I have seen those eyes before. Oh my God could this be? No, I am dreaming! There is no way this could be..........then I heard his voice. “ I am so glad you had a chair and table for my apartment. It is small space but I still need something to sit on, study at and eat off of.” That voice made chills go down my spine, my legs feel weak and a flush of heat to come over my body. It was Nate! What was he doing here? Why didn’t I know he was back in town? Maybe he didn’t want to find me? I scooted further behind the dumpster as I was too afraid to speak, if he didn’t remember me I would just collapse and die right here in this alley. 

“I just got into town last night, I am starting school here soon.” Nate said to Jeff making conversation while they loaded items. “I grew up in this area. I am hoping to connect with some old friends but I am not really sure where to start.” 

“Go to the Maroon Spoon, there are a lot of folks who eat there and they all are practically experts on everyone around here. They know everyone’s business before they do.” Jeff chuckled.

Oh crap-that is where I work! I hope Jeff does not remember that right now. 

“As a matter of fact one of the staff is here right now waiting to rummage through my dumpster. Hey Rayne, come out here and see if you can help this man find some old friends.” 

I am going to kill that man as soon as I can figure out how to move my shaking legs. “Pull it together Rayne.” I said to myself.

Slowly I walked from behind the dumpster and was starring straight at Nate. God he was just as hot as adult as I had imaged he would be,maybe more! But Even my imagination could not predict the effect he was having on me at this moment!  After a long stare I noticed he too was staring and looked a little flushed. Could he too have been dreaming about seeing me? Now the silence is getting awkward, somebody needs to say something, but my vocal chords appear to be paralyzed by the loud beating of my heart. 

“Rayne.” Nate said with a whisper.  “You were 1st on my list to find.” 

My brain was numb so my body reacted and ran to Nate and threw my arms around his neck. “God I have missed you!” I said. The chemistry between us felt magical, like 5 years had not passed at all. But then again there was not this type of heat back when we were teenagers! 

He hugged back to point of almost squeezing the wind out of me. “I have missed you too!”  He breathed. 

Jeff starting loading some items again as if our long hug was starting to make him feel uncomfortable. Then he said “I think have some TV trays in the back of the store, I will go look.” He left quickly to give us time to be alone or just to leave an uncomfortable scene.

Nate took his hands and placed them on my shoulders and pushed me back a little. “Look at you” he said “You are not the girl I dreamed about, you are way more gorgeous than I remembered.” And he leaned in and placed a light kiss on my forehead. “We have got to get together and catch up! Could I take to lunch today.” 

“A-as long at is an early lunch.” I stuttered, still weak in the knees from the way Nate held on to me.  “I have to be to work at 2:00.” 

“Then brunch it is” he replied.  “See you at Dairy Queen like we used to?” He said as he jumped back in his truck.

“Sure.” I replied. 

I was so dizzy from his the lingering memory of his heat on my skin

I just headed back to my apartment and forgot all about the dumpster!