Lulu stepped inside Jake's. She was relieved to see that little had changed in the last six years. The interior of the bar still had its smoky haze mixed with the yeasty smell of beer. The dart boards and the pool table stood in the same place.
She smiled slightly, thinking of all the times she'd spent dealing with her frustrations playing pool.
Then she thought of the times she'd dealt with slimy guys trying to get their hands on her while she'd been playing pool.
That thought wasn't nearly as pleasant considering her changed lifestyle.
But one thing was for sure, Lulu thought, as she strode towards the bar; she hadn't lost her taste for a cold beer. An American beer, she corrected herself, it was rare to get one of those in Greece.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't little Lulu Spencer, all-grown up," a familiar voice drawled out from behind the beer tap.
Lulu smiled and eased onto one of the stools. "Hello Coleman."
"What brings you back, Darlin'?"
"My dad had a heart attack the other day. We're still waiting for him to wake up," she replied quietly.
Coleman's face fell. Luke Spencer was an old and true friend. "Well, I'm sorry to hear that."
Nodding, Lulu spoke quietly. "Can I get a beer?"
"Of course. Coming right up," Coleman said, moving to grab a clean glass from the back counter. "So you living the high life abroad?"
Lulu shrugged. "I'm an author. Evidently I have the gift of gab. It's nice work." She raised an eyebrow. "I'm sure that you've never heard of my books. They're mostly hot, sexy romances."
He chuckled, pushing the glass down the bar toward her. "I'm all for hot and sexy…if it's with the right person." He eyed her as she took a sip. "How about you? You got someone to make you hot and sexy?"
She choked on her beer, setting the glass roughly on the bar. Clearing her throat, she shook her head. "No, no. I'm very single. And prefer it that way."
Coleman shook his head. "Well, you're missing out. Enjoy the beer, Lulu. It's on the house tonight."
She smiled her thanks, taking another sip as he walked away to see to another customer. Good old Coleman, she thought, still as sleazy and charming as ever.
Some things just weren't meant to change.
GH*GH*GH*GH*GH
Johnny felt an odd sense of déjà vu when he opened the door to Jakes. He was in search of some sort of alcohol in which he planned to drown out his sorrows.
No matter how cliché it sounded for a broody piano player, Johnny felt he had no other choice.
Not after his confrontation with Lulu, he thought sadly. There would be no reasoning with her. Her coming back to Port Charles had had nothing to do with him and everything to do with family.
He was beginning to lose whatever hope he'd kept for the past six years.
Then he saw her, sitting with her back to him at the bar, sipping a beer. It was the exact same picture he'd faced just over six years ago.
And for the first time all week, he knew that he wasn't going to waste the chance again.
He had to prove to her—something, anything to make her realize just how much he still loved her.
"Some things never change."
He saw the sudden change in her body. Instead of being relaxed and unaware of his presence, she was stiff and unmoving.
She took a breath, set the bottle down with a slight tap on the bar. She picked up her purse. Then she rose, slowly, turning until she was facing him.
Her face was pale, her eyes narrowed. "I have nothing to say to you," she managed, before sliding past him towards the door. Cursing, he raced after her.
Outside in the bitingly crisp air, Lulu forced herself to slow her pace. She needed to prove to him that she was, as she'd already said multiple times, not interested in him. She was nearly to her car when he caught up to her.
Wrenching open the door, Lulu started to lower herself inside when he put a hand over hers and stopped her. "Wait," he said simply, almost pleadingly.
"Don't touch me," she growled, trying to tug away her hand. But he held strong.
"Please Lu—" he began, swearing when she tried to throw him off. "Stop." He sighed, taking her other hand and moving her away from the door. When she tried to shift, he grab both hands, holding them to the side of the car. She growled and glared at him
"Stop Lulu, you're going to hurt yourself."
"I wouldn't have to if you'd just let me go," she muttered, holding herself erect, but still. "Let go of me."
"I'll let go of you if you promise to stay here. If you promise to let me talk."
She glanced past him for a moment, sighing. "Fine. Two minutes."
He let go of her hands, careful to block her way just in case she tried to get past. She stared at him, her brows raised.
"Well…"
He took a deep breath, thinking of all the kind words and promises he'd rehearsed for the last six years. Somehow they just didn't seem relevant anymore. "Lulu, I—"
She held up a hand. "You know what? Save it. Please. Don't go through this again. I gave you my answer."
"I love you," he said quietly.
Her breath hitched and she felt the tears build up behind her eyes. "I know."
"Then why, why can't we do anything about it?"
She forced back the tears, hating how weak they made her feel. "I know that you love me. Because I love you too, more than anything. But that doesn't matter. We can't be together." She swallowed hard, knowing that no matter how hard she tried, she was bound to cry. "Now please, just let me go. We both need to move on."
He stepped aside, letting her pass. But before she could move away, he grabbed her hand. "Lulu, wait."
She stopped, glanced back to where he still gripped her hand. He pulled her closer and no matter how hard she fought it, she let herself go.
"If you say we can't be together, I'll respect it. I don't like it and would do anything to change it, but I'll respect if. If…if you let me kiss you. Just one last time," he replied, watching her. When she nodded, he leaned down, capturing her mouth.
As his mouth took hers, he was reminded of her taste. She tasted wild and free, with a little sensibility thrown in. She tasted like no one he'd ever know—or would ever know. Because no one could ever compare to Lulu.
He knew that for as long as he lived, he would always remember that moment, the instant he first tasted her.
And the last time he tasted her.
Tugging her closer, he ran his hands over her face, through her hair. He wanted to remember what she felt like, so soft and stable. Because there would never be a second chance.
Lulu closed her eyes, letting herself sink into the kiss. She forced herself to hold still, but knew that she couldn't. She had to have that flavor, that lasting tang. She took him further, basking in the fireworks that were going off in her mouth.
Never would she forget the broody and defiant piano player who made her body and mind sing.
All too soon, the world went silent. He drew back and she opened her eyes, staring into his.
He ran a finger over her lips, feasting with his eyes her tousled hair and flushed face.
She stepped back, reaching to climb into her car. She gave a small smile as she started the engine. "Goodbye Johnny."
He waved slightly, passively. "Goodbye Lulu."
She shut the door, rolled down the window. Just as she was about to pull away, his voice stopped her.
"That wasn't the kiss of a woman who's through."
She stared into his eyes, saying nothing. "That wasn't the reaction of a woman who says she doesn't want to be with a man," he repeated.
Her eyes darkened. "What do you want me to say?"
"I want you to tell me why you won't be with me and to prove that we can't be together."
"Sex can't be part of this equation," she said quickly.
He shook his head. "It's not, but that might be the only thing to prove to you just how much I want you."
"I don't want to have sex with you."
"Maybe not, but you sure kiss like you do," he chuckled slightly.
"If I wanted to have sex with you, I would. On my terms," she replied. "I don't, so you don't have to worry about it."
He leaned down, his hands on the door of her car. "I'm not worried, but you got us both awfully worked up just a minute ago."
"If—and that's a really big if—it becomes a when, I'll let you know," She said quietly.
"I love you," Johnny said again, stepping back as she gunned the engine.
She glanced back at him as she pulled out of the parking lot. He had some nerve, she thought bitterly, trying to get her into bed to prove that they were good together. She shook her head. It wasn't the sex that was the problem. They'd always been great in that area.
It was everything else, she thought, everything else that mattered. The day-to-day stuff. They just couldn't' make it work.
And if he knew that Amelia, he would never want to see her again.
She nodded sharply. It was better this way. No matter how much she loved him, they couldn't be together.
It was something she'd lived with for six years. It was about time he did too.
I hope you enjoyed chapter 9. This story is just coming right along. I've already written the next chapter and am starting on chapter 11. Please keep reading and as always, reviews are wonderful! Thank!
