Have you ever been in one of those situations where you're at a party, laughing and having a good time, when, you look across the room and catch sight of someone that completely takes your breath away? Someone who renders you perfectly senseless? Their look has taken you by such great surprise that your mind has, in effect, become a large quivering bowl of green Jello? In that one moment, you lose even the most basic and inherent need to breathe. Time suddenly becomes a fun-house mirror, warped and out of proportion; what is only a few moments, feels like an eternity. And yet an eternity passes much too quickly.
Your world has suddenly gone into overdrive. The buzzing in your head sounds like a jetliner passing between your ears. Your heart knocks so hard against your rib cage you're afraid everyone in the room can hear it. Red-faced you realize you've stopped speaking in mid-sentence, but, you can't remember what you were just saying to save your life. So instead you stammer out something truly stupid.
Now your only option is to laugh at your own foolishness and thank god no one but your best friend was there to witness your little episode…
Markus followed his friends stare, and could see why he'd lost his attention. Anthony was completely captured by the pretty Hispanic woman who had just arrived. As she made her way down the stairs, Markus asked, "Who is she?" But his friend said nothing, he just watched; mesmerized. Markus shook his head and grinned. He gave Anthony a small nudge, and with a slight Texan drawl said, "Hey, partner. Remember me?"
Anthony finally blinked. Looking at his friend who had rudely ripped him from his fantasy world, Anthony sputtered, "Oh… I… uh…" He laughed and sheepishly asked, "What the fuck was I saying?"
Markus chuckled and shook his head again. Before finishing off his drink, he asked once more, "Who is she?" Motioning to the bartender for two more drinks as Anthony spoke.
Still watching the woman, Anthony replied, "Not sure really. All I
do
know is, her name is Miya. I met her last year at another charity dinner… And she left before I could talk with her."
"Ouch," Markus say sympathetically. Anthony only nodded as he took the drink from Markus. The two men leaned against the bar, silent for a moment as they watch her begin to move around the room, smiling and shaking hands with people she knew. From time to time she would become lost in the sea of formal tuxedos and evening gowns. But Anthony kept a watchful eye, catching glimpses of her as she socialized.
Anthony had met Miya once before. An associate of his had briefly introduced them about 6 months ago, but they never had the chance to talk to one another. All evening they seemed to find themselves on the wrong side of the room, talking to the wrong people.
Miya could tell by the way that his eyes kept finding hers, Anthony wasn't much interested in hearing the same old stories from the same old pretentious do-gooders. But even his indifferent manners didn't deter these people from rambling on. He listened with only one ear, hearing enough to know when to nod or laugh along, all the while he watched her from across the room.
Anthony found many opportunities to steal looks in Miya's direction, despite the leggy blond that clung to his arm. When he was alone, and Miya would catch his lingering gaze, they would share a smile that filled them with a guilty pleasure. It was a sensation that made Miya feel like an accomplice to a crime and she loved it. Regardless of the fact they hadn't spoken more than two sentences all evening, the allure had been obvious.
"She definitely a looker," Markus commented, watching her move about the room with a natural grace. He noticed the way her smile came easily to her face. There was a sense of sincerity to the brief hug she gave another woman.
"Yes she is," Anthony said, entranced. "You should see her eyes. They're beautiful. When she looks at you, it's as though she sees right through you. Then she smiles like… like she knows your darkest secret."
Anthony didn't tell his fiend what else he remembered about her. Keeping that to himself, he savored one memory, which to this day put a Cheshire smile on his face – Miya had been standing across the room, alone for the first time and Anthony caught her watching him. Although she didn't seem honestly embarrassed, she did look down for a moment. But when she returned her eyes to his, her smile was seductive, and inviting enough to make Anthony's pulse race. The memory of that blatant look of erotic desire behind her smile would visit Anthony often for weeks to come.
Markus looked at her again and like many other men in the room, he had to appreciate her physical beauty. Her body slender but shapely, her skin a natural light brown. The slinky black gown conformed perfectly to her body. With the front tastefully low cut it showed just enough of the deep valley of her breasts to catch anyone's eye. Thought the length of the dress nearly reached the floor, when she walked, a slit that showed off most of her left thigh would ride up just enough to fuel countless fantasies. It was however, as she turned around to speak to someone behind her, that both men could see the back was truly the highlight of the entire dress. Here it was darlingly low cut; just a breath below the small of her back and all held together only by the softest whispers of sparkling crisscross straps. Most of her hair had been piled and pinned up prettily, but a few raven-colored curls spiraled down over that delicate curve of her neck, just brushing her bare shoulders.
To notice only what she wore was like admiring the velvet ropes that accentuate and display a priceless painting; the tailored material was not the work of art here, but instead it exhibited the exquisite body beneath. Nonetheless, both men observed the way the material hugged the soft swell of her hips, and with a hint of awe in his voice, Markus breathed a small, "Damn."
Knowing exactly what his friend meant, Anthony sighed and added, "Damn is right."
"A woman like that would eat you alive, my friend."
"Uh huh, but ya know what… I'd die with one huge smile on my face." The both laughed heartily.
Miya had made her way around the room and was now standing with a small group of people she obviously knew when she heard the men laughing. Glancing in their directions, she noticed the two men by the bar staring at her. She smiled politely at their approving gaze and was turning away when it dawned on her that she knew one of them.
Miya looked at them both again. Although she didn't recognize the taller man with graying temples, she placed the other with little trouble. She remembered that smile and almost instantly that guilty pleasure filled her again. But not seeing a leggy blond or curvaceous brunette made Miya's stomach flutter for some reason. Was it nervousness? Excitement? Perhaps it was a bit of both.
Excusing herself from the group, she approached the two men. She was honestly happy to see Anthony again and it showed in her face and eyes. Her soft, genuine smile was one that most reserved for the best of friends, or lovers – despite the fact they were neither. Miya extended one delicate hand, "Anthony, right?" Although she knew it was, she didn't know what else to say to him. Hoping the words didn't sound as foolish as they felt.
Taking her hand in both of his, and smiling warmly he said, "That right. It's very nice to see you again, Miya."
"You remembered," she said light-heartedly. "I'm impressed." The smile never left her face as she looked into his eyes. There was something about the way he smiled at her that made her feel confident and sure of herself.
"You're very hard to forget," he confessed, still holding her hand.
Grinning playfully she replied, "You sound as thought you've tried."
For one brief second, Anthony thought he'd seen something more glinting behind her mischievous smile. But as the looked at her again, he wasn't at all sure he'd seen that hint of seduction; a brilliant but fleeting flash that said, "catch me if you can." Maybe he was remembering, perhaps just hoping.
Unsure how to respond to her comment he thankfully remembered Markus. Anthony reluctantly let her hand slip from his. "God, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude. Miya this is my friend Markus. Markus this is Miya."
"It's very nice to meet you, Markus," she said, shaking his hand as well.
"Likewise, ma'am." Hearing the thicker than usual accent, Anthony gave his friend a sideways glance that Markus choose to ignore.
"Ma'am? Oh goodness," she almost giggled. "In any other situation, I might have been offended," she teased. "Please, call me Miya."
"On one condition… you let me buy you a drink."
Miya accepted the offer graciously and they began an easy conversation about where Markus was from. A gesture that held the door of opportunity opened for her to remain in their company.
While she chatted with Markus, Anthony watched her every move, handing on her every word. Her voice was smooth and every bit as sweet as honey; drawing him in a way he did not immediately comprehend. The way a needle of a compass is helplessly drawn by true north.
Thought after thought catapulted its way into his mind, making Anthony feel as though he'd had one too many drinks. Still feeling the warmth of her hand, he smelled her perfume and his mind sprinted dizzyingly. He'd never been so grateful to Markus for carrying the conversation. As she spoke Anthony noticed there was a subtle sensuality about Miya. A trait, which, Anthony found more than appealing. She possessed a certain prowess, a suggestion of intimacy that seemed to radiate from within her. He suddenly understood the folktales he'd heard as a child; the long forgotten sea voyagers who had been lured by the mystical and melodious songs of the Sirens. The eternal playboy in him tried to speak up, to remind him of what they did to the men they enticed, but he dismissed that voice. He'd felt something in Miya. Something that was different from most of the women he met.
As Anthony's mind struggled to figure out what made her so different, a tall, dark-haired man with broad shoulders approached them, and tapped Miya lightly on the shoulder. "Excuse me… Miya, I don't mean to interrupt, but, they're seating for dinner." It was the first time that Anthony realized Miya was not alone for the evening.
"Oh Alex… thank you," Miya smiled a bit apologetically at him, and began to make polite introductions. "Anthony, Markus, I'd like you to meet someone really close to me. This is Alex." She continued, offering no other explanation as to whom Alex was; but one could only assume. Then motioning to each man as she said, "Alex… this is Anthony and his friend, Markus."
