Chapter Eight – The unusual

"Are you okay? You've been quiet." Ramon turned his attention from the wind rustling the trees, to her.

"I am fine. Thinking, cara mia." She frowned and he knew that answer didn't please her. But, he merely couldn't put his thoughts and feelings into coherent words. If he trusted his gut, he would start to believe he was falling in love. But, with a mere wisp of a girl? And in such a short time?

"Ramon, are you sure you're fine? You look too worried, too stressed."

"Not stressed, my dear. I am merely thinking. These spots just made me remember some things. Things I had long forgotten and other things I would like to forget."

Jeanette leaned back in her seat, resting her head against the rest. She understood all too well what he was saying. How many things in her past would she like to forget, but never could? How many things just kept popping up? So, she really knew all too well.

Of course, she didn't really believe that whole answer, truth be told, would anyone? Something else was bothering him and he wouldn't open up about it. She couldn't understand completely why that bothered her, either. Maybe because she wanted an honest and open relationship.

Wait, they didn't have a relationship. They had a friendship, a casual fling, if even that much; a simple kiss couldn't be classified as a fling. But, that simple word didn't appeal to her. She had more than her fair share of bad luck with men, why get involved here and now? Granted, if anything was to happen, the distance would make things a lot easier to handle.

"Now, who has gone into her own world?" Jeanette glanced up at him through her eyelashes and smiled. "What are you thinking of, mona mi?"

"Oh, nothing to special. Didn't you have a meeting this evening?"

"Yes, in an hour. Care to join me afterward? Should not be too long of a meeting."

"No, no, that's okay. I'll enjoy a nice soothing bath. Maybe finally open my laptop."

"So long as you do not do any writing." Jeanette laughed and nodded her head in agreement.

Vibrant reds, oranges and purples stretched against the sky as she watched the sunset. With her glass of red wine, she leaned back in the lounge chair and watched the amazing sky. It most certainly was a soothing experience to watch something this amazing. Or rather, it should be soothing. With thoughts reeling and feelings tumbling, it was hard to find much soothing or relaxing. Except, being in his arms, there she had felt a peace she never knew existed.

Maybe it was time to face the truth. In no time, her heart, which she had no control over, fell for the one man she probably couldn't, and damn well shouldn't, have. No, not probably, it was more like never. He was black tie affairs while she was more casual, more shorts or pants; hell as of yet she didn't even know if he did casual. They were from two different worlds; they would never fit.

But, how many plots did she write that had opposites attracting? That those simple traits helped each other?

Granted, those were stories and this was real life. Those were her dreams she put down on paper but they wouldn't come true. They never had in the past, so why now, why with him? Maybe because it was him and she wanted him, every part of him.

Jeanette let out a deep sigh, knowing that if she wanted a casual fling, she couldn't possibly be thinking of dreams. Love fueled dreams and love didn't mix with a fling of any sorts.

Jeanette stayed in the chair and watched the moon slowly rise and watched the stars twinkle one by one. Gently, she shook her head, not knowing what to do and that confused her a whole lot more. Such in deep thought was she that the phone ringing made her spill her wine all over herself.

"Hello?"

"Cara mia, how are you doing?"

"Um, fine. Are you done with your meeting?"

"My dear, it's already 8:30." Jeanette's head quickly swung around and stared at the clock. "I was calling to see if I could escort you to dinner. I know a cozy place right down the street."

"I'm not dressed, Ramon. I got wine all over myself so I have to jump in the shower. Thank you for the invite, but I really couldn't go."

"That is no matter. Please, join me. You shall look beautiful no matter what." Jeanette let out a deep sigh, knowing it was not in her to say no; and that with him, he would never have to push extra hard with her.

"I'll be ready when you come, Ramon."

"Excellent. I shall be there soon." Jeanette hung up as she heard the dial tone and quickly glanced down at herself. That wine had certainly made quite a mess.

She glanced at him over the rim of her water glass as he placed the order for the both of them. He has lost the suit jacket and tie and his shirt sleeves were rolled up to the elbows, exposing the gorgeous tan forearms that set off all kinds of images in her mind. In the few days that they had been talking, this was the most she had seen him in casual attire, which did surprise her. She was quite certain that causal wasn't in his vocabulary. He smiled his thanks to the waiter, having felt her eyes on him. He rose his eyebrow in a silent question as he smiled at her.

"What is on your mind?"

"Nothing really, just noticing how relaxed you look, it's not something you have done before."

"So, you find it unusual?"

"Just different, but I like it. Not that you don't look good in the suits." He smiled at that and took a sip of his water.

"Tell me Jeanette, what do you do for fun?"

"Write." He laughed at that.

"Really, cara mia? You do not do anything else?"

"Not really. My dream was to have 10 number one books; I only have two, so I work."

"You know, cara mia, there is more to life than work." She smirked and was about to say something when someone walked up to our table.

"Ramon," the gentleman said, glancing to him, and her, and back to Ramon. "What are you doing on this side of town?" She looked at Ramon, as his attention turned to the guy.

"Hello Bobby." Jeanette glanced between the two men and very quickly picked up on the similarities; this was his brother.