Chapter 1-version 1

"You really shouldn't Tweet so many details about where you work, luv"

She  recognized the voice behind her but couldn't turn around. She knew that British accent...she'd heard it in her head so many times. She stopped walking but didn't turn around. It can't be *him*-not here, not like this.

You know how they always say to dress nicely because you might meet that "special person"? Alex looked down...leggings...sloppy shirt...and her hair pulled back in a ponytail. No, she wasn't ready for anything but a lazy Friday.

"You've practically begged to meet me. Here I am and you won't even turn around?"

Alex still thought it was all in her overactive imagination.

"Turn around, Angel." The voice was turning icy.

Slowly she turned, Ipad held in front of her like a shield. White tennis shoes came into view.

She felt the finger  curving under her chin. "Look at me."  She'd heard him say it so many times in his movies that her body automatically responded. She hugged her Ipad closer.

Slowly her face came up as her eyes closed-she couldn't look.

The chuckle was felt before it was heard...

"Okay...if that's the way you want it, I'll just leave.. bye" a chill came over her as the finger vanished from her chin.

He barely heard the words...

"Please don't go" as she opened her hazel eyes to meet his light blue ones still standing just a foot away.

"Not what you expected?" His questiong threw her for a loop...one of many today.

"Oh no! It's not that at all." Trying to keep whatever composure she had left. Trying not to stare at his lips, she had to keep telling herself not to look below his waist. 

Taking a drag from his cigarette, he watched the emotions that crossed her face...he knew them well.

"Why...?"

"You seem to need something and I thought I could help. No?" He shrugged and started to turn. "Okay."

"No...." She amost shouted then looked around. It was early enough that there was no one else around but never can tell who might be lurking.

He chuckled again "I'll put your out of your misery, luv....but be warned-you never know when I'll turn up like some bad penny."

Those words kept running through her head as she tried to get through the rest of her day. She felt like a zombie going through her reports. Occassionally she found herself in the middle of something she couldn't remember starting. More than once she heard her name being called only to find the caller snapping their fingers . How could she be so out of it?  Apparently her car knew the way home since she couldn't remember the drive..not the lights...stop signs or lane changes.