“What brings you here James? I don’t believe it was the Sapporo night life.” Lexi asked with a sip of her coffee.

“I’m here for work. I’m staying for a month at the hotel just down the street.”

“I see but that doesn’t explain what you were doing out so late chasing a girl down alleys and streets.” Her blue eyes glided towards the window and looked outside at the still barren intersection. “You scared me you know?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to, but I wanted to see you again.”

“And why’s that?” Setting her cup down it echoed through the empty bakery.

“It’s obvious isn’t it? I haven’t seen you in years. All I’ve heard from you are letters and that last one of those I received was my senior year of college. I couldn’t write back because you never gave a return address.”

“I didn’t? It must’ve slipped my mind.” She whispered swirling her coffee slowly with a spoon. “Do you want it now?”

“No, it’s fine.”

“I see that ring on your finger. Was it someone I knew?” She asked grabbing my hand in hers.

“I met her in college.”

“And does she know who I am and that you’re with me now?”

“No.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t tell her a single thing.” She assured rubbing my hand softly.

“I don’t intend to keep this secret from her. I’ll tell her when I get back. How I found an old friend in my travels.” I said pulling my hand from hers.

“You mean lover, don’t you? Or have you already forgotten about me?” She grasped my hand again and pulled it against her breast.

“That doesn’t matter. It has faded to the past, but our friendship stays.”

“Friends you say. Okay James friends will be. Even if it disappoints you.”

My eyes looked towards her.

“I can already see it in those brown eyes of yours. They are filling with disappointment at this very moment which means your heart must be showered with it. You wouldn’t be satisfied with just being friends and why should you?” She told me as she got up and slid into my booth before whispering in my ear. “When we can be lovers instead. Just two old lovers restoring a flame that never died.” She pressed her body against me, and I seemed to melt into her.

It wouldn’t hurt anyone. Veronica wouldn’t know. No one would know besides Lexi and myself. Surely a night together wouldn’t be the end of the world. Just one night together…NO I shouldn’t.

“It’s getting late. I should get back to the room before Alan worries about me.”

“Won’t you walk me to the train station before you go? The night is dark and full of terrors.”

She was right. Plus, it would be rude not to and before I knew I found her arm wrapped around mine all the way to the station. Up close I could see that her beauty from our high school days hadn’t faded. Quite the opposite. It seemed that our time apart had only grown her to be more stunning. I hadn’t known soft tell I felt her hands and arms against me. They made Veronica seem of wool with the way they glided across me. She was truly of silk.

“Thank you for walking me James.”

“It was no problem at all. For a friend I would do anything.”

There she was leaving my life once again, as I felt my heart beat like a drum, before she turned back and asked.

“You said you were staying for a month?”

“I only have two weeks left.”

“Would a ‘friend’ be able to show you around in the time you have left?”

“There is no problem with that. Should we meet in front of the bakery again?”

“Yes, I do enjoy that bakery, but what day would work for you? I wish not to be in a rush so that we may take as long as we need.”

“If I finish my work this week the next should be free. How about the last Saturday?”

“I’d much rather the Monday before. In case you wish for more time. There’s soo much to see after all.”

“Then Monday at noon?”

“It’s a date. I’ll see you then James.” She said with words that held in my ears.