What Leslie really needed was something to pull her out of this drab, dull funk she'd fallen into since the break-up with her boyfriend a few weeks ago. It seemed her whole dating life had been filled with a series of short-term, meaningless relationships. And the failure of each one left her feeling emptier inside than the last. Was she just attracted to total jerks? Was it her? Was there something wrong with her? She pondered endlessly. This recent break-up had thrown her into a bit of a depression and she began to think she'd never be loved at all.
Her night was being spent in the usual fashion--slumped down on the couch, aimlessly flipping the channels of the TV. Occasionally she'd pause on a movie or some documentary, but nothing was able to hold her interest, not even the soft-core scenes she passed by several times on Cinemax. They only served to taunt her about her own failures in love and romance. Sitting there, wallowing in self-pity, Leslie was nearly in tears when the phone rang out. Eager for a distraction from her misery, she jumped up and grabbed it by the second ring. "Hello?" She said.
"Leslie! Is that you? Oh my God! It's Roy Gresson... from high school!"
"Roy?!" Leslie shouted in disbelief. "I can't believe it! How are you?" She was cheering up already. "And how the heck did you find me?!"
"I'm great! I'm in town for a trade show--over at the Hilton. I had heard you lived here now, so I called information and, well, here I am calling you!"
Leslie was thrilled. "I can't believe it's really you! How long has it been since we've seen each other, like 5 years or something? I don't think I've seen you since that party at Mimi and Todd's place 2 years after high school. This is so cool."
"I know! Listen, you better not be busy or something, girl; we've got to get together." Roy nearly shouted into the phone. "I'm only here overnight, so come over!"
Leslie hesitated for a moment, not sure if she was really up to seeing an old friend just now. She wasn't exactly her usual peppy self. But then she thought this might be just what she needed to snap her back to normal--a fun night out of reminiscing with Roy Gresson.
"Yeah. Okay," Leslie replied as she glanced at the clock, "I'll be there in about an hour."
"Great! I'll be waiting in the bar, okay? See you in a bit." Roy said, then hung up the phone.
Excitement and panic set in at the same time as Leslie frantically started pulling out clothes from her dresser and closet. After 20 minutes of fumbling with outfit after outfit, she settled on a long brown skirt, short black pullover and black, chunky-heeled shoes. It sort of gave her this sexy librarian look, and she liked it--smart and sophisticated, but not boring. It was certainly different than she thought Roy would expect her to look. And for some reason, that's what she wanted. With a quick brush of her hair and touch-up of her lipstick, Leslie headed out the door.
It was about a 15-minute drive to the hotel and Leslie was deep in thought the whole way. She and Roy had been best friends in high school, but just sort of lost touch a few years back. God, they'd had some fun times together, she remembered. What would he be like now? What would he think of her? She couldn't help but wonder. Leslie had always been considered "cute" in high school and was rarely without a boyfriend, but she'd had a near constant crush on Roy. He never seemed the slightest bit interested in anything more than being her friend, though. And she'd been content with that; they did have a really good time together. Now, however, she was worried about how he perceived her. Would he still just think of her as his cute little pal? Why did it even matter?
As Leslie pulled into the hotel parking garage, she felt butterflies well up in her stomach. She was looking forward to seeing him again, but she was anxious just the same. After taking a moment to compose herself, Leslie boldly stepped out of the car and headed for the elevator.
On the lobby level, she walked out of the elevator and spied the bar. The butterflies came back in full force as she approached it.
"Leslie!" Roy came running up and grabbed her in a bear hug that lifted her body off the floor.
Her nervousness instantly fell away and she threw her arms around him. "Wow, It's so good to see you!" She smiled.
Roy set her down and just gazed at her for a moment. "Christ, you really haven't changed much at all. You look incredible."
It was just the reaction Leslie was hoping for, but she blushed a bit nonetheless. "Thanks."
With that, he planted a big sloppy, silly smooch on her cheek. They both laughed.
She was a little shocked as she finally got a good look at Roy. That once lanky boy she'd goofed-off with in class was now a grown man, and a really good looking one at that. He seemed so much bigger, so much more solid, so... manly. "You look great too; so much older... oh," she caught herself, "but I mean that in a totally good way." She giggled.
"Shut up." Roy countered playfully then gave her a normal hug and a peck on the forehead. "Come on, let's go sit down and catch up." He grabbed her by the hand and led her to a cozy corner booth in the bar where they ordered a few beers.
The conversation was a little awkward at first, but by the second beer, they were both at ease, laughing and reminiscing about stupid stuff they did in school and swapping stories about college and beyond. Their words flowed like they'd never been apart at all. But there was something more happening-something Leslie couldn't quite put her finger on. As much as she was enjoying the evening, she sensed an underlying tension as Roy's eyes would occasionally lock onto hers.
Finishing his beer, Roy suddenly changed the subject. "God, I really can't believe how good you look, Leslie." He stated, rather matter-of-factly. "I don't know why I never asked you out in high school. Was I just stupid? I mean, you looked so hot then and I..." His voice trailed off for a moment.
Leslie was stunned. "What?" She asked, not really looking for a reply. She couldn't believe he even used the word "hot". It was flattering to her to say the least. She never, even now, had ever thought of herself as a hot chick! No, she'd always been the fun, cute girl. She quickly played him off. "Oh, shut up, Roy. You never even hinted at anything like that back then."
"No, I'm serious." He countered, fiddling with the paper on his beer bottle. "I should have asked you out. Tell me the truth, though," he pried, "would you have gone out with me back then?"
Suddenly put on the spot, Leslie cautiously replied. "Well, gosh, I mean I always thought you were good looking, too. And I might have had a crush on you. But, you know, we were friends. Anyway, it's probably for the best that you never asked me out. We probably would have been a terrible match; we were too much alike."
"But that's exactly why we would have been a great match. I was just a chicken shit idiot." Roy protested. "I don't buy into any of this opposites attract bullshit." He was more serious now. "You and I... we should have been together. I was such an idiot."
Leslie questioned his sincerity. "How can you say that? You don't even know me now."
"You're right." Roy admitted as he slid closer. "I don't know all the details of your life. I don't know if you're married or you have a boyfriend, or what. I'm so rude, I haven't even asked..." He looked deep into her eyes as he continued. "But I know you. And looking at you here, now, I want you."