Another Beginning

• TWO •

"See, then you are so checking me out."

"Not even arguing with you."  I said, shaking my head.

"So, are you a tourist too?"  He asked, eyeing my list on the table.

"Yes, I am.  I was just in need of coffee, that's why I stopped by this shop.  But that pervert of an owner insisted that I don't take my coffee to go, and enjoy it here.  Good thing I didn't grab a table inside.  The audacity really!"  I grumbled. 

"When I saw him, leaning a little bit closer than he should, that's when I know I should step in.  He didn't hurt you or touch you right?"

"Nope, good thing."  I smiled at him and took a sip of my cappuccino.

He was looking at me funny.  A smirk forming on his face. 

"Why are you looking at me like that?"  I asked.  "Is there something on my face?"

But instead of answering,  his smirk turned into a grin.

"What?"  I asked again.

"You have a, uhm, coffee mustache."  He tells me. Leaning in closer,  he wipe the milk froth off my upper lip.

"Oh, thank you."  I said, shyly.

He smiled at me, that ever gorgeous smile.

"So, are you on your own?"  He asks.

"No, actually, I came with my two best friends with me.  Unfortunately, alcohol got the better of them.  Now, they are sleeping in our hotel room."  I tell him.

I smiled thinking of how Frances is snoring when I left our hotel room.

"Well, uhm, I have a suggestion."

"Hmmm... really?"

"Yes, what if we tour the city together?"  He suggested.

I open my mouth to say something but he cut me.

"Now, now, I know, you don't know me and I don't know you.  So why don't we introduce ourselves?"

And then an idea hit me.

"Wait!  So, you're telling me that, you would want to tour Rome with me?"

He nodded.

"Okay, then.  I will agree, only in one condition." 

"Condition?" He asked, hesitantly.

"Yes."

"Okay, tell me."

"We will tour the city of Rome together,  but we will not share any of our personal information.  No specifics, nothing.  After this day, we will forget about meeting here but will only treasure the memories we created.  Deal?"  I look at him, waiting for him to agree.

He looks really very hesitant, but eventually he smiled.

"Okay, deal."  He said, extending his hand.