Too Good To Be True

This story is by Anna Reilly and was part of our 2020 Fall Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here.

Too Good To Be True

That day, in April I Brogan Fitzgerald, remember it well. There was not a cloud in the sky above.

Someone caught my eye as I looked up at a handsome man, sauntering by and staring me down with direct eye-to-eye contact. He was tall, tanned, and neatly dressed. A zip haircut but not bald. He had a robust physique resembling the outdoorsy type. His job must keep him in great shape. Well, I did not recognize who this man is. He does the same eye-to-eye contact on the way out of the store.

No hello, wave, and not even a nod?

Seriously.

However, as strange as it seems, it made my day; I did nothing but think of this man. Do I know this person? He simply caught me off-guard. I am not the kind of woman who falls at a man’s feet because he turned on the charm. I always trust my instincts.

So, why didn’t I say hello or wave to her? Aidan thought to himself. I was afraid of being rejected by a complete stranger. A guy like me, that bruises my ego big time.

I will never waste my time going through a dating website again; after the last dating encounter. They told me I have a ninety-nine percent match.

Does that mean I have endless possibilities?

The woman I met from the dating website was attractive, but she had a meltdown while we were in the restaurant. I said she was controlling, and then she was insulted, her face scrunching up, and stormed out. It was mortifying. Everyone was staring at me in the restaurant. Dating is becoming too stressful.

When she looked my way with those emerald-green eyes transfixed on me. I instantly lost it. Cute and curvy in all right places. Built just the way I like a woman. Why, isn’t she picking up on my signals? I parked right by the front door so that she could see me; before walking inside the store art 6:45 this morning.

She’s not paying attention.

Should I hold up a sign?

Ok. be kind, Aidan thought. Next time she works, I will go in and say hello. He came in for only a few items and said hello, finally. I loved it when he smiled; it made his whole face light up.

I realize now why I am so attracted to him; he reminds me of someone from my past. I had a terrible crush on this guy. John was his name. He wanted to become a fireman so bad; he could smell the smoke already, and he was only on the waiting list. John was a great person and a good catch, but he was only interested in his future. I got the message and let him go after that night.

I would never stop someone or get in the way of a person pursuing their dream. I do admire firefighters. They have no fear. They wear their heart on their sleeves.

Now, my new meet-cute, I will call him. I think he is waiting on me to make the first move, but I am not ready to jump into a hot sizzling pan with him. Not yet. Maybe this is just a game he’s playing. Men love to chase women. It’s a challenge for them.

So today, he’s using a different tactic to get my attention. He is persistent, but I enjoy all the attention. He’s zooming by in a bright red fire SUV with a huge gold number eight on the side panel. That’s ironic that the number eight, which is my favorite number, is appearing on his truck. Perhaps that’s a sign from above. Well, now I know what his occupation is.

Handsome and charming, he may be and all that arrogant masculinity about him. I will keep my heart open. This may precisely be what I need to take that leap into the unknown.

There’s a compassionate side to this man when I observed him helping a customer outside in the parking lot. I love it when a man shows his heart; they are hard to resist. Definitely, it means he has potential.

I’m waiting in her checkout line. She has a faraway look. There is something mysterious about her, and I find that attractive. A sweet face, smooth, and soft skin, you want to reach out and touch. Blonde wispy curls are falling upon both sides of her face.

“Hey,” she looked up at Aidan, smiling.

“How are you.”

“I’m good. Thanks.”

She worked so fast like it was an assembly line.

Aidan heard his name and looked up. Mary was waving at him from across the way. She came right up to him in front of Brogan. She took one glance at Brogan and shook her head, not knowing what the meaning of that gesture was. She said, hey Aidan, all flirtatious with me. Call me later and walked away. Mary is just a mess, Aidan thought. She needs to stay away from me.

Let me do what I came in here to do before I was rudely interrupted, Aidan thought to himself.

Hi, my name is Aidan Hunt, he said in a silky voice, smiling right at Brogan.

“Can we get together and talk sometime?”

Yes. Hi, I’m Brogan Fitzgerald. It’s nice to meet you, Aidan.

Do you know that woman? Aidan answered, Yes, my neighbor, who lives across the street from me. There’s no need for you to be concerned. Mary has some issues.

Brogan acknowledged that comment and gave Aidan back his change. Brogan slid her hand into his, lingering for just a second as they both gazed into each other’s eyes.

Brogan thought these young girls are so rude and disrespectful. They need to go back to charm school. Turning around, Brogan, looked right at this Mary. Brogan thought if this Mary thinks she is intimidating me by her actions, she is not even lukewarm yet.

The next day, Aidan is standing in front of me, with that outrageously charming smile that lights up his face.

“How’s this Thursday, for you, we can go out and get something to eat?” Aidan asked.

“Great.”

“What time?”

“How’s 7?”

“I’ll be waiting.”

I had butterflies in my stomach all day, what to expect of this date with Aidan Hunt. He arrived and presented me with a spectacular bouquet of roses.

“They’re lovely! Thank you, Aidan.”

We arrived at the restaurant and were seated at a table. He is not nervous at all but had a satisfied look on his face.

“A penny for your thoughts?” Brogan was smiling.

“I’m happy to be here in your company.”

“What do you love doing when you are not putting out fires.”

“I’m riding on my Harley barreling down the road, and the wind is rushing across my face.”

“I like the sound of that.”

“It clears my head if you know what I mean,” Aidan answered.

“Do you like to travel at all?”

“I do, when it is possible, work gets in the way at times.”

Aidan asked, “What do you like to do after work?”

“Relax, and I love to cook. It’s comforting for me, and the results always taste great.”

“I don’t cook at all would you make dinner for me, sometime?”

“Sure, you let me know your work schedule, and I’d be happy to.”

The waiter appeared at our table, asking if we decided to order yet. Our conversation just flowed all evening. Almost as if we knew each other. We ordered dessert, and we both shared it.

It was time for us to go we walked outside to his truck. He stopped and turned, opening the door for me. He smiled, and I was looking into his steel-blue eyes. He leaned in, and within seconds we were kissing.

For me, I know immediately if a man is to be or not to be in my future by his first kiss. He kissed me senseless. I did not want it to stop, but I had to come up for some air. Aidan stepped back, savoring the velvety warmth from Brogan’s indescribably soft lips.

“Can we get together again?”

“Yes, call me,” Brogan answered.

When Brogan got home, she replayed their kiss over and over in her mind but was unable to fall asleep.

Two days later, Aidan called.

“We are going to go somewhere different today.”

He picked me up on an impressive looking machine, called a Harley. I stood there in awe. He was impeccably groomed, and dressed in his smooth black leather jacket, sitting straight up, astride on his bike. The fenders on his Harley were so shiny. I could see my reflection.

He reached out for my hand, pulling me closer. He gave me another of those earth-shattering kisses. I hopped into the rear seat, placed my arms around his waist tightly, and we rode away on the wind.