Man of Mystery (3 page)

“Now there's my million dollar girl!”

Chapter
2

We decide to walk since we are not that far from the new bar on Elmwood stripe and it's a pleasant spring night.
  A little chilly so a light jacket will be fine and the walk will be refreshing.  Tiffany says we can window shop as we go since they have the greatest little shops in the area agreeing on her great idea.  Strolling along there are other people heading out too and looking happy that we don't have to be bundle up anymore from the frigid winter.  It is so peaceful and exciting at the same time knowing summer is around the corner.

We finally make it to Denny's Den wondering where that name came from anyways.
  Was the owners name Denny, you would think so.  The place is packed; everyone around here always likes to check out the new places. We located a table to stand at; obviously there is no sitting room which is normal.  Pete grabs the first pitcher and we start our people watching.  It is amazing how people dress and go out.  We have some in Goth, others punk looking, or biker looking peeps to observe.  Then you have the college looking guys who hang out with the girls who look like cheerleaders.  It seems like everyone is trying to figure out what kind of place this will be.

We mingle a little with people we recognize from school along with other new faces.
  The usual drunken guy will come up to asking Brandy her name and she'll politely tell a fake name.  Go through the small talk and brush them off.  Obviously, knowing better than to pick up a guy in a bar!  They only want one thing and it's not her! The night has been progressing nicely, Tiffany and Brandy have danced a few times and they even dragged Mikey and Pete with them too.  Coming back from the dance floor to the table sensing eyes on her; looking up towards the bar she gasps!

Mystery Man is here and he is looking in her direction!
  Holy shit, we just made eye contact and she can't breathe!  Her jaw drops open, forcing herself to close her mouth to not look like a total jerk.  He smiles in her direction and gives a slight nod of his head.  No way is he looking at her with that beautiful smile it must be someone behind her.  She turns her head to see if there is a model or something standing behind her and nope, no one.  When she turns around again he is gone.  Did that just happen?!  This can’t be real, how many times has he surprised her today!

From the other side she hears a voice, “Hi, I'm Nathan Porche, do I know you from somewhere?”
  Turning to the other side there he is inches from her face.  Trying desperately not to show her shock and failing miserably since her eyes are popping out of her head, she shakes her head no.  Her mouth is so dry but she is unable to move, the words he spoke run through her head like when he asked to help her this morning.  She couldn’t speak, this isn’t normal.

He politely breaks the silence, “I’m sorry if I surprised you and I know that is really a lame line, but you do look very familiar.
  I'm sure I've seen you somewhere recently, but I’m not sure if we actually met?”  May I ask your name?”

Finally her mouth starts to register the fact that he was just asking for her name, “I'm Brandy and it's a pleasure to meet you”.
  Great recovery...OK she can be handled this hopefully.  Politely she extends her hand trying to act like a lady which he takes it warmly and firmly in his.  Inside her a flame ignites with chills running down her spine.  Surely the response resounds on him because there is a sparkle in his eye as their eyes connect; lowering her head, blushingly sneaking a peek back up trying to gag his reaction.  He gently releases her hand slowly lingering for milliseconds as he places it near her on the table. 
Keep steady don't grab it back,
her subconscious is telling her. She is electrified with his touch but is it only her or did he feel it too?

He grins,
God what a beautiful grin he must be used to girls going gaga all over him,
“I'm not from around here but it really is a pleasure to meet you, my friend opened this bar and I told him I would come to his grand opening.  You’re not here alone are you?” He slightly scowls like I shouldn't be in a caring way. 

“Oh no way I always come out with my friends and never alone, it's a safety net thing, there is 4 of us and they are dancing”
  Did she just babble that out of her mouth,
get it together Brandy
!

“Good, a beautiful girl like you shouldn't be alone in a crowded bar without protection. There are people who would take advantage of that situation.”
  He states protectively. 
Did he really call her beautiful, sorry to correct you but you're the one who is beautiful!
Listening to him speak mesmerized at the sound of his voice.  Mystery Man who is now called Nathan Porche has a voice to make you swarm at his feet.  It is hypnotizing and rich sounding with a slight accent that she can't put her finger on.  Wondering where he is from but still unable to form the words.

Before having a chance to stumble on her reply, a very adorable man with blonde shoulder length hair and hazel green eyes comes up and slaps Nathan on the back, “ Hey Mate, are you having a good time?” he looks over at Brandy and giving a warm smile with a hint of wickedness. “I see you already made a new friend!”

Nathan cocks his head toward her “Yes Denny, I'm having a great time.  This is Brandy, we just met.  Brandy may I introduce you to my friend Denny Williams; he is the owner of this establishment.”

Extending her hand, we shake, nothing pulsating there.
  “Your accent sounds familiar; may I ask where you are from?” asking not feeling as flabbergasted, since no flame came out of her belly when they touched thankful for not feeling flabbergasted at his touch.

“Well,
Sheila
, we are both from
Down Under”,
Sydney, Australia to be exact” he says sweetly heavily accented.  Denny smiles broadly making her start to giggle and blush.  She has never been called
Sheila
before but then again she has never met anyone from Australia before.

OK in her mind, that explains the accent and wow, this is really cool.
  Before getting a hold of the new situation a stunning blonde of at least 5' 9” comes bubbling up to us with bright green eyes and exclaims.” Nathan! It is wonderful to see you here!”  She pounces on Nathan and plants a kiss on his lips wrapping her arms around his neck! OK being at a loss for words, turning away slightly embarrassed from watching him get kissed by his real girlfriend. She is getting ready to excuse myself from this situation like right NOW.  This is normal bar scenes and she was just being played.  Why oh why did she let Tiffany drag her out!

Nathan looks worriedly at her and pushes the bosom blonde off his face, slightly embarrassed but keeping control of the situation, “Hi Crystal, This is my new friend Brandy, Brandy this is Denny's sister Crystal, we are old time friends so please excuse her forward approach.
  She is like a sister to me!” He exclaims in explanation. Wow is he showing embarrassment? Ok I’m not the only one Brandy thinks to herself.

Crystal pouts slightly but composes herself, “Fine sweetie, I'm used to your rejection but you are my someday!”

Nathan scowls at her deeply agitated “Never going to happen, you are like a sister to me so stop the playing around, seriously Crystal, I don't always appreciate that outward affection in public!”

“Oh, I'm just playing with you, no offense Mate” she smiles brightly and turns to Brandy with a wide grin.
  “Brandy, what brings you here tonight?”

Amazed she even caught her name as she is still hanging on Nathan's arm with her head on his shoulder so she shrugs “ Just out hanging with my friends who should be back any minute, I just met Nathan and your brother Denny.”
  He says it somewhat dryly.

Denny can see that his sister as well as he just interrupted big time on Nathan as he scowls at him so he pipes up “Well let’s do a quick shot on the house and I'll drag my sis to the dance floor.”
  He politely pulls his sister towards himself clasping her under his arm.  Before he can even order a round from the nearby waitress, my companions are arriving back to the table.  Seeing Tiffany coming up behind Nathan, she sees Brandy is beside two very good looking guys, she mouths “score” and Nathan catches the fact that she is looking over his shoulder turning to see whom she is looking at.

Tiffany stops in her tracks for one second, drops her mouth open then quickly recovers and composes herself
“God she is good at that, wish I had those skills!
 She politely steps up to the table, introduces herself along with Mikey and Pete who are very close behind her.

We have now become a group of seven when the small talk begins, being much better at standing back and watching then being involved.
  Tiffany has already found out that Crystal is Denny's sister and taking a real liking to Denny.  She is observant to the fact that Nathan is here while she keeps glimpsing at Brandy with a girlish grin.  He is standing really close to her so she is finally getting a good look at his dazzling smile with the most adorable dimples.

Nathan has also observed her stand offish position he frowns slightly and places his hand on her arm. “I can use some fresh air, would you care to join me?”
  Already her heart starts pounding from his innocent touch shaking her head yes.
Speechless again, she really wishes she can stop acting so foolish!
  He politely excuses us both, telling our friends we will be right outside the doors to get fresh air.  He takes her hand sending chills down her spine directing the way.  As we are passing people every woman in the bar stares at him, amazingly he doesn't notice them.  It seems once he has a set direction nothing else matters.

The air is crisp outside as we lean against the building taking in a huge breath of fresh air which she lets it out slowly trying to fathom all that has just happened.
  Nathan is leaning against the wall next to her gazing down. “Hey, I'm really sorry about all that, I wasn't expecting the rush of people.  I know meeting someone in bar is not the ideal situation.” gazing up at him, our eyes meet strangely feeling this pull towards him and her mouth opens slightly.  He turns toward her with a sparkle in his eyes feeling the same pull
or is it only me?

Blurting out, “You’re right about that, I don't normally pick up guys in bars; usually they are just looking for one thing.”
Did she just say that, that came out wrong, damn!

He laughs shaking his head, “Well, Brandy I can assure I'm not one of those guys.
  I would like to see you outside of the bar scene; maybe for a cup of coffee?”  
Did he just ask her on a coffee date, she’s in seventh heaven!
“That sounds ideal” squeaking back a little too high pitched.

“Are you free tomorrow?
  Here's my card with my cell phone number on it.  It's a local number that I got while I'm in town.” He hands over the card.  Taking it “Yes, I'm off from work tomorrow.  While you’re in town; so you're just visiting from Australia?” sounding slightly disappointed.

“Yes my permanent residence is in Australia, but I'm here for the summer on business and pleasure.
  I come to the US very often.” reassuring her that it's not a short visit.  Good maybe she’ll be able to see him more, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. 
Cool your jets Brandy
.

Smiling back at his beautiful face “Well then, I'll take you up on that coffee tomorrow.
  I'll give you a call in the morning.”

“Great, well let’s get back in before your friends think I ran off with you.” He smiles just as brightly taking her hand to lead her back through the bar.

Tiffany sees her, smiling like she is having a great time talking to Denny, pleased that she is back.  Mikey and Pete are chatting with Denny's sister Crystal.  Brandy doesn't think she realizes that they are a couple, but that's OK, she seems to be enjoying their company.  Denny excuses himself from Tiffany, turns to Nathan “Hey Mate, I have something I want you to look at.  I think I have a great idea for some improvements for the bar and you know what’s worth investing into better than me.” Turning to her, “Do you mind if I steal him away for a few minutes,
Sheila
?“ Giggling,
still thinking its funny being called Sheila,
“Go right ahead, I don't want to interfere with business.”

Nathan releases her hand, “See you in a few, don’t leave yet, OK?”
she would stand planted here forever if you asked!
“I'll be here, I promise.” looking dreamily up at his gorgeous face. At the same time Crystal excuses herself to head to the bathrooms, it's just the 4 of us now.

Mikey practically bursts out immediately, “Damn Brandy, you really scored! He is a dream boat, major eye candy, I'm thinking of stealing him away from you!”
  Pete slaps him on the back “You’re on a diet, remember!” Mikey winks at Pete “I may be on a diet but I can still read the menu! Besides he only has eyes for Brandy.

“So what were you too talking about outside?” Tiffany asks looking a little anxious to know. “Well, he asked me out for coffee tomorrow and gave me his number” I blush.

“Great, you’re going to call him right! If you don't take him up on his offer I will!” She says teasingly.  “Or I will” Pete sneaks in giving a smirk at Mikey.  He pouts out his lip and nudges Pete.  They are so cute when they tease each other, we all burst out laughing.  This has been such a great night.