The Earring

“Are you looking for something?” he asked the hunched figure in front of him.
Startled by the gravelly voice she looks up.
“Umm, my earring” she replied to the smiling dimple above her. “I dropped it”
“Here, let me help you” he volunteered as her bent down next to her.
“Thank you” she smiled her gratitude.
“No problem. What does it look like?” he asked while looking at the asphalt in front of him.
“Diamond stud”
“What color?”
“Platinum setting. Clear diamond”
“OK” he replied, sneaking a glimpse in her direction, just as her hand absent-mindedily flicked her hair away from her face, only to cascade around it again, in a shiny, black curtain. He looked away and tried to concentrate on the task at hand. His concentration was broken when she moved a sandaled foot to one side, the blood-colored toes glistening under the sun.

“Can’t see” she mumbled and raised her dark shades over her head, pulling her hair away from her face. Her designer sunglasses would not stay put and fell to the ground. Both spontaneously reached for the eyewear at the same time... just like it would happen in a movie. Inevitably their hands touched, and they exchanged a small smile, before giving their attention to the ground again.

This is the closest we’ve ever been, he thought as he pretended to look for the missing earring. Closer even than when she passes by me while I hold the door for her. Closer than when I stand in line behind her while she orders her daily dose of morning coffee.

I always knew he was a nice guy, started the monologue in her head, and so polite... always holding the door for me, and waiting for me to go through first.

She smells really good.
He has a lovely smile I love her hair. Wish I could touch it.
I love his dimple. Wish I could touch it.

If only they could hear each other’s thoughts.

She shifted again. Something shiny caught his eye. He looked closer. It looked like the stud that appeared on her ear, as she pushed her hair behind it. His first instinct was to acknowledge it, and tell her that he had found it, but then she would leave and this moment would be over. No, he won’t tell her just yet. A few minutes more.

Say something for God’s sake! Say something nice to the guy, he’s being very chivalrous, you have to show you appreciation. You’ll probably never get a better chance with the mysterious cappuccino dimples that almost daily tease your attention. Go for it woman! For once, just go for it.

“I really appreciate you helping me like this” she smiled at him.
“Oh it’s nothing really” he replied sheepishly.
“I hope I’m not making you late for work”
“No, it’s OK”
“What about your friends? Aren’t we holding them up?”
“Not at all. They’re a new couple. They appreciate time alone” he chuckled.
“I see” she giggled in response. His hear nearly stopped.

Laughing is a good sigh. You’ve got her comfortable. Now is your chance dude, he was urging himself silently. Say something witty and charming. Win her over man. You’ve been dying for this chance.

“Where’s your coffee?”
“It’s in my car” she replied, pointing to the vehicle they have been searching next to.

Where’s your coffee? Seriously?! he scolded himself. That’s the best you could come up with? You’re trying to go for witty and charming, not stupid and retarded.

He was trying hard to think of something to say when she yelped.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry... I spilled your coffee. I knocked it over with my foot. I didn’t see it”
“It’s OK, don’t worry about it. I shouldn’t have left it there”
“I’m such a klutz. Let me get you another one”
“It’s fine... really”
“No, I insist” she repeated, looking at him, clearly embarrassed. He could not help but notice how cute she looked blushing. Trying to ease her embarrassment he started: Look. I think I found it. Is this it?”
“Yes!” she replied excitedly. “Yes it is. Thank you!”

She got to her feet, earring in one hand, empty coffee cup in the other: “Now I really owe you. Please let me get you another cup of coffee. It’s the least I can do.”
It’s now or never dude, he thought. “I have a better idea”
“What is it?”
“Have breakfast with me tomorrow morning”
There was a pause as she looked at him totally caught off guard.
“Uh... I’d like that” she agreed, when she could finally find her voice again.
“Great!”
“Where?”
“Where else?” he smiled.
“Right. Where else?” she smiled back. Again he felt his heart flip.
“Same time?”
“Yup”
“OK. See you then”
“OK. See you” he replied before turning towards his friends, who were clearly enjoying the scene in front of them.
She was rummaging in her bag for her keys when he swiveled back to say: “I’m really glad you dropped that earring”
“Me too”