Lost in your eyes
 Mac & Laura

I get lost in your eyes
And I feel my spirits rise
Lost in your eyes, Debbie Gibson

He was lost, his umbrella was in the car, the rain was falling heavily and he couldn't remember where he had left the car. This was clearly not his day. Or his week. Or month.

Moving to Jersey right out of the Academy and into crime investigation had been a good career move for him. But he never thought it was going to be this difficult to adapt to the city. He knew no one, he liked the city (the bits he had seen so far, always caught up with work to see more), but it was getting a little bit tiring to go back to his small apartment each night and eat alone, with either a book or a movie as his only companion for the night.

And now, on top of everything, he truly had forgotten where he'd parked his car and he was getting wet as rain kept pouring. He popped the collar of his trench coat up and looked around for any type of shelter.

He spotted a bakery across the street and ran to it. He pushed the door open as he shook off the rain droplets from his hair.

"Come in! It's pouring out there…" He heard a female voice calling to him and he lifted his head to look at her.

And when I first knew
Was when I first looked at you

There was a brunette with dark brown eyes behind the counter, smiling at him. He lost his train of thought for one second before shaking his head and smile back.

"Indeed it is…" He said. "Do you sell coffee by any chance?" He asked hopefully. He was soaked, cold and cranky. He needed something warm to put his mood back up while he waited for the rain to stop and he could start looking for his car.

"I'm sorry, we don't." She said apologetically. "We are only a bakery…" She bit her bottom lip.

He looked up at the ceiling and shook his head. His luck was not getting any better. He should really pack his bags and move back home. This city was pretty much beating him to his knees at this point.

"Are you ok?" He heard the worried tone in her voice and turned around to look at her face matching the sentiment. She was looking at him worryingly, her big brown eyes trying to read his stance.

"Not really." He said. "I was just looking forward to a hot drink to shake the cold out of me."

"Bad day?" She asked.

"It's been a challenging day, to say the least." He admitted.

She looked pensive for a while, biting her lower lip. She finally seemed to have made a decision.

"I'll tell you what…" She started smiling at him. "I can make you some tea in our kitchen. Would that help?" She asked sincerely, her eyes looking amicable at him.

His entire world seemed to light a little at that offer. "That would be wonderful." He sighed. "But I really don't want to be a bother."

"Please, it's not like the place is packed with customers…" She waved her hand dismissively. "Take a seat, I'll be right back. " She said before disappearing to the back of the shop.

She came back ten minutes later, carrying a tray with a teapot, a cup, and a plate with some sort of pastry.

"Here you go: there's tea and this is a cornetto. It's a type of pastry, it's filled with Nutella, which is some sort of hazelnut paste. Just try it." She smiled at him.

"Thank you very much." He said, his voice almost choking of emotion. "You have no idea what this means to me." He poured some tea and took a bite of the pastry. It was warm and delicious and it lifted his soul immediately. "This is fantastic!" He praised and she smiled proudly, doing almost a happy dance. "I'm glad you liked it." She said eagerly as she went back behind the counter.

"I think it'll stop raining very soon." She commented.

"Yes… now if I could only remember where I've parked the car." He spoke without realizing it.

She looked at him amused, "You've misplaced your car?!"

"Hey! I'm new to the city…" He tried to defend himself, "And I thought I had the place figured out. But it seems I don't." He finished running his hand through his hair.

"It can happen; many of these streets look a lot alike." She felt sorry for him, he was clearly having a terrible day. "Do you remember anything from the surrounding area where you parked?"

He tried really hard to remember anything from the streets that could be of assistance. He was a detective after all, his memory was supposed to be good.

"There was a beauty salon… with neon blue lights." He closed his eyes to picture the scene. "And a grocery store with a wooden door with faded green painting."

"Wow… that level of detail is impressive." She said, her eyes big with surprise. "That is three streets down from here and to the left." She smiled pointing out the direction with her hand.

"Thank you." He said as he finished his tea and the pastry. The rain had finally stopped and he felt light hearted and ready to face the day again. "How much do I owe you?" He said pulling out his wallet.

"It's on the house." She said, "This city hasn't been very welcoming to you. I figured I should change the pattern." She smiled shyly at him.

He smiled shyly at her, scratching his neck. "Thank you. Really."

He walked to the door, but stopped as his hand was on the knob. He turned around hesitantly and looked at those brown eyes one more time.

It's like being lost in heaven
When I'm lost in your eyes

"I'm Mac." He said.

"Laura." She replied smiling.

He turned around and left, not before checking the number and street name of the bakery. He definitely had to come back.