Apparently Not

Do you believe in love at first sight? Emily Dixon makes a very compelling argument for it in this emotional piece of flash fiction

"I thought if I acted like it didn't matter, then it wouldn't." Emily turned her back to Nate and stared out at the tree-filled horizon. Tears pricked her eyes, threatening to spill. In a shaky voice, she added: "But it does. It matters a lot."

"What matters?" Nate was calm, his voice even. He took a step forward, hand raised but stopped before he touched her. Dropping his arm, he exhaled.

"Em...”

"You don't get it; your life is so different from mine." Emily didn't even bother to wipe away the tears now streaming down her face. "I'm just...."

Shaking her head, she gazed down at her feet. Beyond the window was a drop so big she couldn't see the bottom. She wished she could hide down there forever.

"If this is about my job, I'll leave." Nate shrugged, "You knew I was a stripper - hell, it's how we met." Running a hand over his face, he breathed heavily and softened his voice.

"This weekend was supposed to be all about us. A romantic getaway before you fly home."

Emily's shoulders dropped, and she turned to face him with a sad smile. "That's just it, Nate. It's not your job. I have to fly home. I live on the other side of the world with two kids and an ex-husband. How on earth is this going to work?"

Stepping forward, he placed his hands on her shoulders and dipped his head, so it was level with hers, "We'll make it work. I'll do whatever I have to because..." he trailed off and stepped back, rubbing the back of his neck, he turned to the window.

"Because?" Emily's voice was almost a whisper.

"Because when you walked into the club with your friends, I knew." He sighed, his breath causing the glass to fog. "I knew I wanted to spend every single minute with you." Half-turning, he smiled wistfully. "I guess that's where 'love at first sight' comes from."

She stood there, arms hanging by her sides, refusing to look at him. Defeated. "Love at first sight doesn't exist."

“Then how else do I describe the way I felt when I first saw you?"

Emily finally looked up. Wide-eyed, she took a small step forward. "Y-you love me?"

Nate moved closer, putting his hand under her chin he tilted her head.

"Apparently not, according to you."