Page 5 of So This Is Love

“I’m so sorry I should’ve been —,” my words die on my tongue when I finally look up and see who I’ve run into, literally.

“Laila?”

Sonny.

“I - um, yes hi,” I stutter out. My words fail me as my brain literally tries to catch up to the fact that out of all the people I could have possibly run into, it's Sonny. I would be lying if I said that I never thought about him, or that night ever again, but I figured it was a fluke and there was no way I would ever speak to him again.

“Damn, I never thought I would get the chance to see you again.” Sonny says, releasing my elbows but still standing close enough that I’m surrounded by the smell of him and his cologne. My skin misses the warmth of his contact as soon as he lets me go and the cool air sends a slight shiver through my body

I let out a surprised chuckle. “I didn’t think you would remember me, it's been years.”

“Of course I remember you,” he says with the corner of his mouth turning up. “Not many people call me an asshole within the first two minutes of meeting me.”

“You deserved it.”

A smile takes over Sonny’s face. “You’re right, I did.”

I smile too, and I can’t help but feel a sense of deja vu from running into Sonny again like this. Physically he hasn’t changed much, but I’m sure like me, a lot has changed with him that can’t be seen.

I catch him giving me a once over, his eyes taking me in until his gaze lands on my eyes and he finally speaks.

“So how have you been? What are you doing with that degree of yours?”

Again, I’m shocked that he remembers such an insignificant detail of my life that I told him years ago.

“And what makes you assume I got my degree? Maybe I didn’t finish,” I say jokingly.

“No disrespect to anyone that decides to leave college,” he replies. “But something tells me that when you want something you don’t stop til you get it.”

I have no rebuttal for that because it’s true, I am that way.

“I graduated a few years ago, and now I’m a social media manager for a skin care company.”

Sonny gives me a smirk, satisfied with himself that he was right about me.

“And what about you?” I ask. “Are you back from your hiatus?”

“You been keeping tabs on me Laila?”

“What? No, it’s just out there,” I say quickly waving my hand to try to show that its not a big deal.

Truth is I hadn’t been keeping tabs on Sonny, but buzz about him is everywhere. Since his last tour he hasn’t made any new music, or done any performances, which is unlike him.

“I know, I’m just fucking with you. I’ve just been laying low, reevaluating what I want from life.”

I nod my head in understanding.

“Aye Sonny, you aight man?”

Like I’ve been caught doing something I shouldn’t, I take a few steps back from Sonny. We hadn’t been very close but knowing how innocent situations get turned upside down, I didn’t want to take any chances.

“Yeah I’m all good,” Sonny says. “I ran into someone on my way from the bathroom, or really she ran into me.” Sonny shoots me a mischievous glance before looking back at the other guy.

“Laila, this is Xavier,” Sonny says making introductions. “X this is Laila.”

Xavier tips his head in my direction in acknowledgement. “Nice to meet you Laila.”

“You too Xavier,” I reply with a smile.

---