Free EXcapades by Debra Kay

bite down on my lower lip. It took a few seconds to register the pain, but then I thought that at least the pressure from my teeth would give my pouty lips a tinged red hue.
    Since I skipped makeup this morning in my haste, maybe this action gave me a much-needed burst of color. Leave it to a woman to think like this, to turn a case of nerves into a fashion and makeup opportunity.
    My nervous lip-biting response did not go unnoticed. His eyes followed my tongue when I brushed it across my mouth as if maybe my lips enticed him, making him want to kiss me again. Or possibly I was confused by my own desires because I wanted to kiss his perfectly sculpted lips. They were irresistibly sexy. I had an urge to lean over and press my mouth to his. And here we were standing—at arm’s length away.
    From the awkward pauses in our speech, I think we both, for an instant, felt like gawky teenagers again. After staring for what seemed like an excessive amount of time, Blake finally blurted out, “I just dropped my dad off for his medical appointment. My mother is picking him up as soon as she runs her errands, so my morning is free. It would be great if you’re available to get a cup of coffee. Would that—”
    I nervously interrupted him. “How are your parents?” I asked with keen interest.
    He looked down and clenched his jaws. “I’m sad to report that my father has early stages of Alzheimer’s, but we’re all making the best of a bad situation. My mother is an amazing caregiver for him. And I have been doing my best to help them.”
    “I’m sorry they’re going through all of this. You know, I always admired your parents.”
    He sighed. “I often feel guilty because I can’t help as much as I would like. And my younger brother, Brady, moved to Hollywood, seeking fame and fortune, and never looked back. I’m sure you remember him.”
    I nodded. Of course, I remembered his brother. They looked like twins. And I could tell all of this news about his parents was a difficult admission for him, and I appreciated that he shared it with me. I could imagine that caring for ailing parents could create a strain. His parents were good to me years ago, and I suddenly found myself wishing I could help them.
    Before I could discuss the topic further, he asked about my family. I stammered as I reluctantly gave him sketchy details from my life. Blake took this as his opportunity to ask, “Can we go somewhere more comfortable to get reacquainted? How about we go somewhere quiet and talk?” He looked at me with pleading eyes.
    “Well . . .”
    He persisted. “Let’s get coffee and catch up on our lives and share some old memories. There’s no harm in sharing a drink or two and getting reacquainted.” Although he posed it as a statement, we both knew it was a question.
    I nodded. “No harm in that, right?” I acted cool as if I needed the idea to percolate through my mind. In reality, I found myself so excited that I wanted to jump for joy. I could hardly think of anything else.
    “Remember that bakery and coffee shop we loved on Main Street? How about we meet there in an hour?” he asked.
    “Yes, perfect.”
    “Here’s my phone number if a conflict occurs,” he said, handing me a card and let his fingers linger on mine.
    We exchanged good-byes. I rushed inside the office building and took a huge, gulping breath. Blake again after all these years!
    One last glimpse of him; I need one more look-see.
    And with that thought, I pressed my body flat against the interior wall and slowly turned my head and peeped out the window. A stolen moment, or so I hoped.
    But to my surprise, he turned and looked, too. He sees me. I know he sees me.
    He winked in my direction and turned forward. I watched his figure get smaller and smaller until he disappeared behind a row of cars. Was that a wink or was that a lopsided narrowing of his eyes from the sunlight? Or am I overthinking things again?
    I slumped forward, hiding behind a tall fern,