Page 4 of Fade With Me

He was…stunning. Towering at least 6'5, if not more, his height was so commanding it seemed to fill the room. His presence was impossible to ignore, like he’d walked in and claimed the space without even trying.

His face was an exquisite blend of rugged elegance: sharp angles, a strong jawline, and a faint stubble that only heightened his allure. It gave him that rebellious charm, the kind that made people look twice.

But it was his eyes, those piercing, ocean-blue eyes, that drew me in. They held mystery, as if somethingburied lay just beneath the surface, always out of reach. The kind of gaze that begged to be understood, a challenge wrapped in beauty.

His dark curls, slicked back with an ease that felt deliberate, framed his chiseled features like marble brought to life—too striking, too perfect to belong in this world.

For a moment, I forgot to breathe, caught in the pull of him.

Every detail about him screamed high-end luxury, from the sharp cut of his suit to the glint of his expensive watch catching the light. It wasobvioushe wasn’t from around here. He looked like he belonged in a downtown boardroom, not at a roadside diner where the only extravagance was the rich, comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

I forced a calm smile, despite the butterflies in my stomach fluttering like an anxious swarm. Each step toward him was an effort to steady my nerves, a silent reminder that I was here to do my job, nothing more.

Get a grip. You’re not here to get swept away. This is just a job. Keep it together.

“Hi there! Feel free to take a seat at any table,” I said, gesturing toward the empty chairs, doing my best to appear inviting. The tension curling in my stomach slipped into my voice as I added, “I’ll be right with you.”

Then he turned to face me. His gaze locked onto mine—unblinking—and for a moment, the words frozein my mouth. He didn’t move. His stare pinned me in place like he’d seen a ghost. The world around us seemed to pause, time itself slowing.

A flicker crossed his face. Was it recognition? Awareness? My spine stiffened, a chill crawling down my back as if the air had shifted. The atmosphere felt charged, an unspoken energy pulsing between us. It wasn’t just a look. It felt like he was peeling back layers of me I didn’t even know were there.

I squirmed slightly, tugging at the hem of my dress. Doubt crept in. Was I out of place? My dress, once cute and put-together, now felt too short. Standing before him, with his flawless appearance and worldliness, I felt small, like a child playing dress-up.

As the shock faded from his face, he regained his composure effortlessly, his voice smooth, like velvet gliding over my senses. It was deeper than I expected, a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through the air.

“I’m not here to eat,” he said, his voice steady but clipped. “I’m trying to find the Sentinel Building. Can you give me directions?”

His eyes darted to his watch, a brief flash of desperation crossing his features, making him seem momentarily vulnerable. Human, in a way. “I’m running behind. There’s a meeting I can’t afford to be late for.”

For a second, I saw him as a man completely out of his element, like a seasoned traveler suddenly disoriented in a world that didn’t quite make sense. He looked likehe’d wandered into a low-budget film, where the ordinary rules of time and space no longer applied.

I shook off the surreal feeling and focused, offering him a look I hoped would be both reassuring and confident. “You’re so close! It’s just two streets up from here, on Galbraith.” I pointed, trying to guide him back to solid ground. “Can’t miss it.”

A dazzling smile spread across his face, the kind that could have belonged to someone on a magazine cover. His teeth were perfectly straight and impossibly white, polished to perfection. For a single breath, the world seemed to tilt on its axis. The lights around us dimmed, and I swore I could almost hear a cinematic score swelling, as if the universe itself were highlighting this moment.

Okay, maybe I’m being a little dramatic.

“Thank you,” he said, his voice light with gratitude, as though I had just done him a favor far beyond mere directions. “I owe you one.”

I couldn’t help the flutter that bloomed in my chest, his smile warming me in a way that caught me off guard. I twisted a strand of hair around my finger, my nerves creeping in.

“No problem,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “I hope you make it in time.”

“Now that I’m back on track, I’ll be good. Thanks again. I really appreciate it. See you around.”

With a casual wink and a crinkling of his eyes, he turned and walked out of the diner, the soft jingle marking his departure. I stood frozen for a moment, still feeling the ripple of his presence, like a gust of wind that had just swept through and left me reeling. The door swung shut behind him, and I wondered briefly if I’d dreamed the whole thing. Had it been real? Or had he just been some figment of my imagination?

Sal emerged from the kitchen, a towel slung over his shoulder, scanning the empty diner with a confused expression. “Didn’t I just hear a customer come in, or am I hallucinating?” His voice carried real bewilderment, unable to make sense of the silence that usually buzzed with breakfast orders.

A part of me wanted to mess with him, to jab back at the whole ‘Brynie’ debacle, but my mood was flat, the encounter with the stranger having left me off-kilter. I decided to keep it easygoing instead, strolling over to him with a relaxed air and letting the intensity of the moment fade.

“Just some guy looking for directions,” I replied, keeping my voice breezy.

Sal’s gaze locked on me, unblinking, his expression one of barely concealed disbelief. “Well, buckle up, because today’s half-priced pancake special is going to be a doozy,” he warned, his tone thick with resignation, already preparing for the worst.

I rolled my eyes, unable to stop the reflexive motion, but deep down—I knew he was right. The diner was rarely busy, but when it was, it became a whirlwind of orders, dirty dishes, and an unrelenting rush of customers. The thought of enduring another chaotic shift under the buzzing fluorescent lights made the weight of my day feel even heavier. But I didn’t have much choice. Did I?

I never really had one.

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