The afternoon was finally coming to a close, with the sun setting so perfectly. The view from my music studio was inspiring. Everyone had finally left, going home to their families for dinner. I looked over at the clock, it read 6:08, I still had a few hours I could kill here. I picked up my favorite guitar and started strumming the song I had played to myself over and over again in the past 3 years, the song that reminded me of her. No one else had heard the song, and I was going to keep it that way. It had been 3 weeks since I had come back, and we were hanging out again. I forgot how great of a friend she really could be. I also forgot, how she could make me feel.

I closed my eyes and strummed from my heart, humming the melody. Just as I was going to sing the words, I heard the door shut and I turned around to see her.

“Oh I’m so sorry Riley, I didn’t mean to interrupt” she said turning around and reaching for the door.

I stood up, “ Where you goin?”.

She was frazzled, wiped the strands of wavy blonde hair from her face, and smiled, “ I can come back later if you’re still busy. I really should have called first”.

I smiled back to show her I wasn’t upset, “ I’m not busy, the guys left early and I had some time to myself”, I noticed she was holding a few bags, “ You want some help with that stuff?”.

I walked over and grabbed the bags from her hands, “ Oh thanks. I figured you probably hadn’t eaten yet. So I brought you some dinner”.

I put all the bags down on the table. I turned around and saw her walking for the door, “ Aren’t you gonna stay?”.

I loved to see her smile like that, she looked like she was glowing, “ You don’t mind if I stay?”.

“Why would I? This is a lot of food, I’m gonna need help eating it all”, and with that she was next to me again. I took the time to take a look at her, and my goodness, she was looking beautiful. She was wearing a long white skirt with a yellow tank top that fell short enough so that I could see the soft and tan skin covering her stomach. She smelled so good, so sweet.

The next hour was spent eating the delicious food, and making small talk. We walked out over to the balcony and had a beer together. The breeze was perfect and the stars were in full bloom.

I noticed she had gotten quiet. I waited for her to say something, but she never did. I could tell she had something she wanted to say, “ You alright?”.

She looked right into my eyes, and I could feel her trying to dive in deep, “ I’m fine, it’s just…it’s really nice to have you back Riley. I was afraid you wouldn’t want to be around me, if and when you came back”.

“ Look Tiff, what happened all those years ago, I’m over it, I’m ready to move on, so that we can be friends again”, I told her honestly.

And again she was quiet. I waited for her to process her thoughts, I knew she wanted to say more. Finally she turned to me again, “ So are you…over what happened…or are you over me?” before I could even try and answer that question she waved her hand in the air, “ don’t answer that, it’s not fair to you to have to answer that question”, I turned back to the sky, and soon felt her get closer, and with her hand turning my face gently to look at her she continued, “ Can I tell you what it’s been like for me? I haven’t been able to let anyone else touch me the way you did, emotionally, mentally, and physically. Riley…I’m not over you. I will take whatever you can give me”.

She moved in closer and wrapped her arms around my neck, hugging me so tenderly. I wrapped my arms around her waist, hugging her back, knowing I couldn’t let this go any further. I could feel her chest beating against mine, while her hands started to massage my neck, and then my shoulders.

The heat was evident, and I knew exactly where it was coming from. I moved my hands up her body and felt her exhale, “ It feels so good to have you touch me again Ri”.

I moved back and watched her try to regain her composure. “ I want you to know, it’s really nice to have you back in my life. It’s really nice to know…it’s really nice to have a friend”.

Her eyes showed disappointment but she smiled anyway, “ I’ll always be your friend. I should probably go, I have some paperwork to finish”.

I watched her walk away, and then turned back. I hear her stop, “ Riley?”.

I turned to her, “ yeah?”.

She walked over to me with so much determination in her eyes, she put both hands on my cheeks and pulled me in for a deep kiss. She kissed me hard, mouths closed, lips touching, and my hands shaking. She pulled away and whispered, “ I love you”, and then turned and walked out the door.

It had been an hour since she pulled out of the driveway, and I could still taste her lip gloss on my lips. I didn’t know what to do, and I was confused about what I wanted. I tried calling Pops, but no answer, he was probably already asleep. And Tony was probably out partying.

Flashback (2 and a half years ago) --------------------

“I’m fine Pops” I told him throwing on my leather jacket.

“ Come over here for a second kiddo” he said pulling out one of the chair next to him, “ do you miss her?”.

“ No”, I said, hoping that if I kept saying it, it would make it true.

“ You don’t have to be so damn strong all the time Riley. You can break sometimes” he said rubbing my shoulders.

“ I don’t break Pops. Never have and never will” I told him.

He laughed, “ You really think I’m gonna buy that. I’m your father for goodness sake, I can sense your bullshit from miles away. You know, when your mother died, I knew I wouldn’t be the same. And I know, it’s been hard for the both of us. But I don’t want that to scare you. Even though she’s gone, I at least know what it was like to be with her. You’re gonna miss out on something great with that attitude kiddo. We all go through rough times, and I’m sure you know in your heart Tiffany didn’t do anything. You’re just scared because you don’t want to get hurt. I watch you and Tony get yourselves in situations, and I see you hop on that bike everyday, you risk your life everyday Ri. Ya gotta learn how to risk a little more”.

---------------------

I pulled up to her restaurant and could see her standing near the bar. One of her employees was about to lock the door behind her leaving Tiffany alone, when she saw me, “ You’re Riley aren’t you?”

“Do I know you?” I asked her, not recognizing her one bit.

She smiled sweetly, “ No, but I know you. I work with Tiffany, and I came across one of the e-mails she sent to you once. Don’t tell her though, cause she doesn’t know. She always talked about you too when we were decorating. I put all the pieces together, RT’s Bistro. Riley and Tiffany’s”.