She came flying through the door just as he was picking up his dropped pencil and they became a twist of legs, arms and spilled coffee. She got up apologizing for not paying enough attention to where she was going. He stood up aggravated by the entire situation, wiping off the sketch book and trying to keep his anger in check. When he finally looked up at the sweet voice still talking to him, he was overcome with a sense of familiarity. Her eyes fell on what he was holding and she froze.
"Oh my... I'm so sorry, is that a sketch book?" It was clearly ruined by the spilled drinks and she felt awful, but he was smiling.
"Do I know you?" He said, staring at her big beautiful eyes.
"Um, I don't think so." She squinted a quick assessment. "I really am so sorry about your notebook. Can I at least replace the coffee?"
"No, I need to run. May not have needed that third cup anyway." He gave her a shy smile that made her scalp tingle as he moved out of the way for them to clean, then disappeared out the door.
She went to the line and started digging for her phone, she was going to be late again. Before she could find the number to call, there was a hand on her shoulder. She turned and got a face full of shy guy.
"Change your mind about that coffee?"
"No, but you're Jean Randall, yes?
"Yes I am. Have we met?" Her face was cocked with interest, but guarded. If they had met he would know her as Jean Beazley, Randall was her professional name.
"No, but my mother is a fan of your work." He said with a broad smile that warmed her. "I read her the article about you in The Times a few weeks ago. There was a photo. It didn't do you justice, if I may say so. It was lovely, but..." and he gave her a little half wink.
She thanked him and wanted to say more but first, she was up to place her order, "you're here now, so what can I get you?"
"Nothing, really. I just wanted to meet you." His sky-blue eyes were lingering "a little story for mum later." And with that he gave her shoulder a little squeeze and was off, leaving her focused on his touch.
She started to place her order then, "Wait, I didn't get your..." and she trailed off as he was gone again.
When she got to the studio, late again, Mattie gave her a look. "I know, I know. But honestly, I just had a run in, literally, with a fan. Well, sort of." She handed her assistant the latte as a peace offering, and knew all was forgiven. They were getting ready to discuss and plan for her show in France next month, it was going to be a long day. Showing her things along side of some of the most accomplished female artists of her time was such an honor. Sure, she had accomplished a certain level of success, mostly in New York, but she wasn't on the level of the company she would be keeping there.
As she went through the pieces with her agent, manager and best friend that day, her mind kept going back to shy guy. For the first time, in a long time, she felt something for a man. Not much, it was after-all, a total of about two minutes, and she hadn't even gotten his name. So strange that her usual coffee spot was closed due to a water leak that day. "We're all one decision from a totally different life." One of her favorite quotes kept ringing in her mind. She might just have to make that her new favorite coffee spot for a while. Maybe he lived in the area?
"Oh my God, yes! Definitely do that." Mattie said with genuine excitement after Jean confessed the reason for her distractedness.
"Oh, this is going to be fun. I have been needing a new hobby since Tom and I broke up" Henry chimed in, "This is what best friends are for, the hunt is on."
She sat with her thoughts, as the others went on discussing the plan for France, remembering the feeling she got when he touched her shoulder. There was really something in his eyes from the moment he spoke. Something felt... familiar, even to her. She told herself not to be silly, he just recognized her, as people often did in her part of the city. That's all that was, wasn't it?