TUESDAY TALES - "HEAVY" - "NO REGRETS"

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Welcome. The word prompt this week is "heavy."  I have another installment from "No Regrets", a second chance romance. Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales. Thanks for coming. 

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Ten years later, Java the Hut Coffee Shop, New Haven, CT. 

“Lizzie? Lizzie Wenner?”

The deep, masculine voice repeating her name cut through her concentration. She raised her gaze to meet pale blue eyes in a familiar face.

“Nick Jameson?” Her brows knitted.

“Lizzie!” The handsome face broke into a huge grin.

It couldn’t be him. He was a successful pro football player. What was he doing here? It must be a mistake. He strode over to her table.

“May I join you?” he asked, not waiting for an answer and sliding into the seat opposite.

“Nick?”

“Lizzie.” He took her left hand and raised it to his lips.

Tears burned her eyes. There he was, more gorgeous than ever in an expensive suit, perfect haircut and just the right amount of scruff. He turned her hand to kiss her palm and she felt it to her toes. 

“Not married or engaged?” he asked.

For the moment words failed her, she shook her head.

“Me, neither.”

“Really? With all those models you date, you couldn’t find one to marry?”

“None of them were you,” he said, quietly.

She drew in a breath. “What are you doing here?” she asked, changing the subject.

“We’re playing a charity game against the Bulldogs.”

“They’re just college boys, you’ll crush them.”

“Nah, we’ll be gentle. It’s a fundraiser.”

“I heard about it. But I never. Oh my God. Nick.”

She gripped his hand and the aloof, professorial demeaner she’d worked years to cultivate cracked and fell away. For a moment, she was little misfit, Lizzie Wenner, clinging to her popular boyfriend. Tears leaked down her cheeks, a heaviness settled in her chest.

He whipped a handkerchief from his back pocket and dabbed her cheeks.

“Professor? Is this man bothering you?” The barrista had come from behind the counter to stand next to their table, arms folded across his chest.

“Me?” Nick asked.

“Yes you. She’s crying.”

“No, Tony. It’s okay. Really, I’m fine. Nick is. Nick is an old friend. I’m just surprised to see him.”

“As long as you’re okay, Dr. Wenner. Because if he bothers you, just raise your hand and I’ll throw him out,” Tony said, darting a hostile glare in Nick’s direction.

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