Blast from the past

I left the center after finishing up my work, and now I'm on my way to Fresh Heaven, the bakery where Emma works as a pastry chef. On my way, I couldn't shake the image of the guy who was killed from my mind.

I know it sounds strange, but I feel… connected, somehow. Maybe it's because I just saw him yesterday? Or he tried to have his way with me?. This is just strangely messed up.

I shook my head, trying to erase the feeling, like a shadow I couldn't quite escape. I pulled into the parking lot of the bakery and walked inside. The little bell above the door jingled, announcing my entrance, and I approached the counter to figure out what I wanted.

"Oh, hi Ria! Came to see Emma?" Lilly, the cashier, asked with a bright smile. She's cute, looks like she's in high school, but she's 24, a year older than me. Seriously, what's her secret? She's got light brown skin, big dark eyes, and her height adds to the youthful look.

"Yeah, can you let her know I'm here if she's not too busy?"

She nodded and disappeared in the back to find Emma. I stood there, scanning the display case, when the bell rang again, signaling someone else had entered.

I finally settled on getting two glazed donuts and a slice of cheesecake.

"You'll always love cheesecake, huh?" a voice said behind me.

I turned, half-expecting to see some random guy, but the moment I locked eyes with him, I froze.

"Oh my god, Eli!"

There, standing in front of me, was the guy I had a huge crush on back in college. He was fine back then, but now... now he looked like a whole new level of irresistible. Muscled up, a huge forearm tattoo, and standing a solid 6'5". His curly hair and light brown eyes made him look almost ethereal. He had a subtle beard, but it didn't hide that sharp jawline. My heart raced, and I swear, it skipped a beat. How can one person be so… perfect?

"How are you, Ria? I haven't seen you in forever." He stepped a little closer, and I couldn't help but breathe in the scent of him. Was it cologne? Or just him? Either way, it made my pulse race.

"I've been good," I said, forcing a smile that I knew probably looked stupid. "It's really good to see you again. How've you been?"

I was trying my best to sound normal, but all I could think about was that guy I had obsessed over in college. The one I never thought I'd see again. And here he was, standing right in front of me, like something straight out of a dream. Or maybe a nightmare.

"Do you want to sit down and catch up? I'll pay for your cheesecake," he chuckled, and that sound... it made my insides turn to liquid.

"Sure, that sounds great." Lilly came back with Emma, and Eli went to order while I pulled Emma aside.

"Oh my god, Em, do you remember Eli from college?" I practically shook her with excitement.

"What? Who?" She looked at me, totally confused.

"Come on! Eli! The guy I had a massive crush on. We did that project together and you said he looked like 'God's favorite child.'"

"Ohhh yes! Wait, you know, he had a crush on you too, right?"

"Yeah, right." I rolled my eyes, though a part of me felt like I was about to burst. "Anyway, he's right there. We're going to have coffee and catch up."

Emma's eyes darted past me, and she gasped. "Did he upgrade from 'God's favorite' to 'God himself'?!"

I smiled, nodding. "I know, right?"

She elbowed me hard to get my attention. Eli was walking back over, and I turned, trying my best to act cool.

"Hey, you ready? Oh, and hey Emma, right?"

"Yeah, it's nice to see you again!" They shook hands, and Eli turned back to me.

"Alright, Em, we'll be over by the window." She gave me a huge thumbs-up and a grin before heading back into the kitchen.

Eli pulled out a chair for me, and I sat down, feeling almost dizzy with nerves. He sat across from me, handed me my tea and pastries, and I almost couldn't take it.

"Thank you," I mumbled, wiping my sweaty palms on my pants in an attempt to seem calm.

"So, what are you up to these days? Still pursuing art?" he asked, his voice warm and deep.

Wow. He remembered.

"I'm an art teacher at the School for the Gifted."

"That's awesome, Ria. I'm really happy for you. I know how much you wanted to teach art."

"I can't believe it. Every day, I get to go to work and do what I love," I smiled, thinking back on all the late nights I spent working to get here.

"What about you? I know you wanted to own your own business."

"I did. I own a gym now."

"Oh wow, that's cool," I said, trying to sound casual, though it totally made sense.

He laughed. "You know, Ria, I'm really glad I ran into you today."

"Really? I mean, me too."

"Would you like to go out with me sometime?"

My heart stopped. Did he just—? He actually just asked me out? I swear, I was internally screaming.

Okay, okay, stay cool, Ria.

"Yeah, that would be nice," I managed to say, a smile spreading across my face. He grinned and handed me his business card.

"Do you still have the same number?"

"Yeah, I do." He had my number?! My mind was spiraling now. Please, God, let me marry this man.

"Okay, I'll call you soon," he said, standing up. I followed his movement, still in shock, and before I knew it, he kissed the top of my head.

"See you soon, Ria."

And just like that, he was gone.

I stood there, my knees weak, trying to process what just happened. I had a date with Eli White. ME, Ria, had a date with Eli White. I looked down at the card he gave me, his name printed on it with his business information, and on the back—his number.

"Guess things went well?" Emma's voice broke me from my daze, and I turned to see her looking at the card over my shoulder.

I nodded, unable to speak.

She chuckled, clearly amused by the look on my face. "Come on, girl. Let's go home and tell Tash all about it."

It was 8:15 pm, and we were all sitting on the couch in our pajamas, eating ice cream. This was the best part of having roommates—just being able to vent about everything. I told Tash all about my meeting with Eli, of course, with Emma adding a few embellishments.

"Ria, are you okay though?" Tash asked, her voice softer than usual.

"Yeah, why?" Then it hit me. "Oh… I guess seeing Eli just kind of took my mind off things for a bit."

"The police want us to come in tomorrow to give our statements," Tash added, that familiar worried look back on her face.

I tried to reassure myself. I can handle this. I wasn't going to break. I wasn't weak. Although I feel like I'm having an outer body experience, I need to get it together.

"That's understandable. What time though? We've got work," I asked.

"Before work," Tash sighed, stretching out on the couch.

"But guys… why was he murdered? I mean, doesn't it feel strange?" Emma said, her expression scrunched in confusion.

I nodded, agreeing. It did feel strange. But what felt stranger... was that I couldn't shake the feeling that somehow... this had something to do with me. Or maybe I need therapy.