She nodded silently.
“My name is Ethan.” I held out my hand.
“Kennedy, my friends call me, Kay.” She took my hand.
There was a surge of electricity up my arm and straight to my heart when we touched. By the way she pulled her hand back she felt it too. At that moment I realized that it wasn’t that I recognized her from somewhere, we had never met before, it was that somehow, I had known her all my life without having met her. We were somehow linked. The moment I touched her I knew it. Some might call it love at first sight, but it was so much more.
“What’s your poison?” I indicated her empty glass.
“Bourbon.”
I turned to get the attention of a waitress who nodded and appeared at the table with fresh drinks. “Have you always been a fan?”
She glanced up at the stage and nodded. “Yeah.”
The corner was dark, and it was keeping most of her features hidden. What I could see, I could tell she was beautiful in that dark, smoky sort of way you normally only see in those trendy ads for perfume or expensive cars.
“Are you a local or just visiting?”
“Both.”
Okay, I could see she wasn’t a talker, this was going to take a little work on my part. That was okay getting people to talk was sort of my thing, so I was up for the challenge.
“Home for a visit then.”
She made eye contact with me and gave me a small, appreciative smile.
“Exactly.”
“Well, then I can see why you love the blues if you’re from here. It gets in your blood at an early age.”
“Yes, it does.” She looked at some point off in the distance and I wondered if it was the music taking her away from me or the bourbon.
“And what about you Ethan? Are you a local or just visiting?”
“Local.”
She nodded and sipped the fresh drink.
I watched closely and I had so many questions. I had this urge to know everything about her even though I felt like I already knew the answers.
We sat enjoying each other’s company, the bourbon, and the music until Charlie called it quits. Another band took the stage to carry the crowd to closing time. She frowned up at the stage, the band wasn’t bad, but it was hard to follow someone like Charlie Pickens.
“Wanna take a walk?” I asked, thinking I would risk the rejection.
To my surprise she nodded. I looked around for the waitress. The same one that had brought us refills appeared.
“Thanks, Emily.” Kay said the waitress. “I’m going to call it a night.”
“Okay well let me bring you your change.”
“No, keep it.”
“But…”
“Keep it.”
“At least let me pay for mine.” I offered.
“No, I prepared, when I came in tonight, so you’re covered.”
I didn’t pretend not to be confused, but the waitress looked happy so I went along with it. Kay let me hold her elbow and guide her through the crowd out on to the sidewalk.
I took a deep breath of the fresh night air. It was humid and promised rain.
Under the glow of the streetlights I could see she wasn’t just beautiful she was exquisite. The full lips and the high cheek bones. I could tell her hair was dark and thick despite being pulled back at the base of her neck in a clasp. Her eyes were dark too, although I couldn’t see the exact color. It didn’t matter because it was the way the light danced in her eyes that held my attention.
“Where to?” she asked.
“This way.” I thought a walk along the water in the moonlight might be nice and I would be able to learn more about her without having to shout. It took a minute for my hearing to adjust.
“So, what brings you home for a visit?”
“Oh, just had to take care of some family business. It can be difficult to try and do things long distance at times.” Although her tone was casual, I could tell it was forced. Whatever had brought her come was anything but a casual visit.
“I understand. I’ve tried that myself a few times it never really seems to work.”
She nodded in agreement and we walked on. I wondered about the family business.
“Where do you live when you are not here in Gates Point?”
“Pretty much everywhere and nowhere.”
Again, she was trying to sound casual and not give too many specifics. I didn’t blame her; we had only just met, and it is never a good idea to give too much personal information to a stranger.
“You’re pretty good and not answering questions, aren’t you?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be evasive.” She looked over at me. I could tell she was sincere in that.
“It’s okay. We just met and I don’t blame you for not wanting to tell a stranger your life story. It’s just that most people will talk without thinking twice.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning either you have had some training in evasive tactics or you’re an extremely private person.”
She laughed out loud. It was an honest laugh and one that sounded like crystal windchimes. It was light and the warm breeze carried it away.
“I guess I’m just a private person. I’m a photojournalist so I’m more about telling other people’s stories, not mine.”
“Now that makes sense.” I smiled; I was relieved to know she wasn’t in some sort of law enforcement. It was refreshing to talk to someone that didn’t involve an investigation.
“And what about you Ethan, what agency does that badge on your belt represent?”
I was surprised that she noticed it. I wasn’t trying to hide it but, I wasn’t flashing it either.
“FBI,”
“Really? I had you pegged as an NCIS man.”
“I know a few of them and they are good guys.”
“Yeah, they are.” She agreed.
“Has your family always lives in Gates Point?” I asked changing the subject back to her. She smiled. It was a loaded question and she knew it. Gates Point prided itself on first families and
