I Think I'm In Love

Way before she ever laid eyes my cousin Carlos, Stephanie Plum was on my radar, yes it's true, I met her first.

It was late one night at Ivy Tavern, she was sitting at the bar drinking her sorrows away. The long legged beauty looked like she could use some company, so I sidled up next to her and bought another round. She gave me a mock smile as she thanked me for the drink. Her bright blue eyes held so much pain.

"Those eyes are far to beautiful to be filled with so much sadness", I told her. It was not a some corny pickup line, I really felt that way.

"I bet you say that to all the girls", she said, in a dry tone.

"No, I don't", I told her seriously.

Her eyes met mine, and I could tell she trusted me.

"Wow your eyes are amazing, I bet you dazzle all the ladies when you flash those emerald gems," She said in a matter of fact manner.

"So true", I admitted, but tonight I only have eyes for you.

She laughed, and this time, her smile lit up her eyes, and her personality sparkled. I did not even know her name, but this woman had me hooked. Something about her made me want to make her mine, put my player ways behind me.

"Lester Santos," I said, extending my hand. "So tell me what is your name beautiful"?

"Stephanie Orr".

"well tell me about yourself, Stephanie, what do you do for a living"?

" I am a lingerie buyer, nothing really exciting, but hey, how many people can say the get paid to shop "? Stephanie laughed. "What about you"?

I am in the Army, I'm a Ranger. You are looking at an elite man, just got back from deployment, "I answered with a proud smile.

"Ah so the muscles are not just for show", she flirted.

"Are you from Jersey? ", I ask.

"Born and raised, and you" she, replied?

" I grew up mostly in Newark, then moved to Miami when I was a teenager".

"Miami, that sounds nice, fun and sun", she told me with a wistful smile.

I bought another round, hoping to continue this conversation for as long as possible.

"Speaking of fun, what do you do like to do for fun?", I ask.

"It has been too long, I don't remember, I guess I have kind of gotten boring," Stephanie replied.

"So you are telling me you don't know how to have fun at all, you forget. Beautiful it's like riding a bike you never forget. You should let me take you out sometime, I could give you a refresher."

She slouched on her bar stool and rolled her eyes at me, "Bet you could" she said in an annoyed voice.

"No Stephanie, you got me all wrong, I did not mean it that way. What I was talking about, is taking in an afternoon concert at Love park in Philly, then dinner on South street, followed by a night of dancing or a game of pool. That is my idea of fun on a Saturday with someone as special as you. Do you always have such a dirty mind ?" I teased.

The pretty lady looked at me and laughter danced in her eyes as she snorted. Then sadness faded into her expression and a tear slid down her cheek.

"Hey what's wrong beautiful, I thought we were having a good time".

I'm sorry I was, am, it's just that I am having a really bad day."

"Want to talk about it," I ask?

"Trust me you don't want to hear about it," she told me.

"Try me".

"She played with the straw in her glass, then looked at me and laughed. I guess it's it kind of funny if you think about it. Joyce Barnhart is the bully who made my life miserable all the way from first grade through high school. Today I walked into my house and found Joyce boinking my husband on the dining room table. We have been married for like five minutes! In my house on my table with her?"

I ordered another round because she looked like she could use it. Then I took a cocktail napkin from the bar and wiped the steady stream of tears that she had no idea were running down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry, you don't deserve that. Your husband must be a fool". I said sympathetically.

"No my husband is a dick", she said before bursting into a frenzy of laughter.

Her broken heart was painfully reflected in her eyes and it sent sorrow through my core. I had the urge to protect this woman as I stood up and enveloped her in my embrace. Stephanie's body sagged against me and I felt her softly crying in my arms. This went on for a few minutes and then she stopped.

"Look at me, I am getting your shirt all wet", she cried. "I am sorry".

"You have got to stop apologizing beautiful".

She slid off her bar stool on unsteady legs and reached for her purse. Her cheeks blushed at the vulnerability she had just shared with me as her eyes darted toward the door.

"Relax", I told her.

"Easy for you to say, my mother is going to have a stroke when she finds out I am getting a divorce. I can just hear her now" Stephanie why can't you be like your older sister she has been able to make her marriage work", Stephanie said, imitating her mother's voice.

"Ahh, the perks of being an only child", I told her.

"See, you have no idea what it is like to grow up in someone else's shadow. Everything about my sister is perfect. Perfect grades, perfect friends, perfect husband, perfect cooking. There is no room for me to compete with her on any level." She complained.

"Oh yes I do, my cousin Carlos, I don' think there is anything he does not do well. The man is a genius, he is fearless and an army legend. The guy is a tough act to follow. When he is around I become invisible to women," I explained.

" I have a difficult time accepting the fact that any woman could think of you as invisible Lester", she said seriously.

The liquor was noticeable starting to have an effect on Stephanie. She wobbled on her stool and her eyes narrowed lazily.

"Let me put you in a cab , I need to make sure you get home safely or I won't be able to sleep", I told her honestly.

While we waited outside the bar for her cab, Stephanie stood with her head cradled against my chest as I inhaled the fragrance of her shampoo. I wasn't sure what this feeling was that I was experiencing, but I knew I liked it, and I liked this woman. When the cab pulled up to the curb I instantly felt sad.

"Hey can I get your number, you know so I can help you practice that fun thing," I said to her before helping Stephanie it to her taxi.

"I would love that, but I don't want to be a cheater like my husband," she said. "Thanks for tonight Lester, and any girl who would choose another guy over you, even for your cousin, is a fool."

I kissed her on the cheek and then gave her address to the driver after I slid him a few twenties just to make sure he got her home safely. What she said about not wanting to be like her slime bag husband was admirable and made fall for her that much more. As I watched the car drive away I thought to myself, if anyone could make me retire my player jersey and hang up my womanizing ways it would be Stephanie.