Micky Dolenz peered around the corner and then ducked back out of sight releasing the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. He practically jumped out of his skin when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He whipped around, then placed a hand over his heart. “Good god, Jules, are you trying to kill me?”
Julia Parker couldn’t help but laugh. “Nope. Just wondered why you are hiding behind this wall.”
“I’m not hiding.” He stated firmly, his brown eyes looking everywhere but straight at her.
“Dolenz, I’ve known you for six years and I’ve been your agent for five, I know you better than you know yourself.” She took his strong chin in her hand and stared directly at him. “You are definitely hiding.” She smiled letting go of him and then peaking around the corner. A beautiful leggy golden blonde woman in her mid-thirties was studying a piece of artwork. “It wouldn’t have anything to do with that woman, would it?”
“Her name is Kristi Blade.” Micky sighed then restated, “And I am not hiding.”
“Who is she?” Julia asked.
“An old acquaintance.” He answered.
“Must be some acquaintance for you to hide this way.”
“She is.” Micky said quietly looking around the corner again and then back at Julia. “We had a thing about 10 years ago. She left me, end of story.”
“So, she’s the one.” Julia stated.
“Excuse me?” He looked questionably at her.
“The one who stole your heart and has kept it all these years.” She took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “If I was you, I’d go talk to her.”
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Kristi wandered through the gallery gazing at all the pieces of artwork. Some caught her eye, some tugged on her heartstrings and some she thought were better categorized as lawn decorations rather than art. She came to a specific painting called “Oh No Zone” that stirred her. She couldn’t take her eyes off of it and finally tore them away long enough to see whom the artist was. She saw the name Micky Dolenz printed on the plaque below it and a whole set of emotions came flooding to the surface.
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Micky took a deep breath and wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans before approaching Kristi. “Do you like it?” He asked in a shaky voice from behind her.
“It’s incredible.” She answered and then recognized the voice. Slowly she turned to face him. “Hello Micky.”
“Hello Kris.” His smile came easily, more so than either of them would have thought.
“You always were very talented.” She gestured towards the painting.
“And you always were very beautiful.” He took her hand and linked their fingers together looking directly into her crystal green eyes. “Do you want to go get a drink?”
Kristi placed her other hand against her stomach in an attempt to stop it from fluttering. “Yeah, I could use a drink.”
“Me too.” He gave her hand a gentle tug and led her out of the gallery. “There’s a pub next door.”
They walked into the bar and found a quiet table in the back. An awkward silence was between them as they stared at each other and both were grateful when the waitress came up to the table. “What can I get you?”
“A vodka martini straight up with two olives for the lady.” Micky answered. “And I’ll have a gin and tonic.”
After she walked away, Kristi smiled, “You remembered.”
“There’s not much about you I’ve forgotten.” He replied. “How have you been?”
“Good…I’ve been good.” She waited for the waitress to set their drinks down and then took a long sip. “How about you?”
“Good…I’ve been good too.” He answered quickly and then sighed. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too.” She reached across the table and gave his hand a squeeze.
“How’s the career going?” He kept her hand in his.
“I’m a test engineer for the Department of Defense.” She replied proudly.
“I’m happy for you. That’s something you always wanted.” He took his hand away and took a drink.
“Yes, it was.” Her voice turned icy. “And something you never wanted for me.”
“That’s not true.” He defended. “I wanted everything for you. I just wanted to be a part of it.”
“I needed something for myself first.” She said strongly.
“So you left me.” He slammed his fist on the table. “Damn it, Kris. You didn’t even say goodbye.”
“I’m sorry, I never meant to hurt you.” Tears rimmed her eyes. “I couldn’t face you. I knew if I did, I wouldn’t leave. And if I didn’t leave, I knew eventually I would end up hating you and that was the last thing I wanted.”
“I was destroyed when you left.” His voice was suddenly gentle. “I got over the hurt, but I never got over the love. No one has ever come close to comparing to you.”
“I never stopped loving you either.” She reached across the table again for his hand. “But I’m not the same person I was ten years ago.”
"Neither am I. Maybe we’ve both had time to grow.” He took the hand she offered in his. “Can we start over?”
“No.” She smiled. “But we can start from here.”
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Continue to Part 2
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