In the Mood 

I walk into the designer donut shop and Mackenzie n asks, “Coffee black and hot like your women?” Morgan is the uber cheerful pierced inked clerk sweet and pretty. I have said, that once too many times. I smile and take the cup, wishing I was a younger version of me, but the younger me wouldn’t be caught dead here even if the sweet and pretty girl was given to dark young men with bad habits and scars 

I am looking at the choices something about the fit woman in athleisure wear seems familiar and the mask isn’t helping. I shake the feeling off. There are local art and locally roasted coffee for sale several gyms and yoga studios in the area. She doesn’t stand out just seems familiar, why I am not sure.

I go to the patio and take my red X marked cornerback to the wall clear view of all entrances and exits socially distanced. That woman comes out, and sits directly across from me, her gaze is intense, even 2metres away

“Good Morning,”, I say to pale blue eyes that smile back. There’s a connection.  I pick up my coffee, “Slainte”

   “You don’t remember me, do you? I’ll give you a hint; I only have one of my red Jimmy Choo’s. She said.

Synapses fire, there’s something to micro-dosing I play for time. “Of course, love, of course,” I say laughing I am getting something, and it will be here in a moment.”

I am only giving you one more hint, Carmen.” she said.

It comes back to me in a wave. meeting in the gallery then, a pub, then spontaneous combustion 

“I take it casual sex, is not uncommon for you.”

“Well blue jeans are allowed “I answer 

“That’s clever, now tell me my name.” She says her stare is hard.

“Carmen, but do you know mine?”

“Escamillo” She answers’. I laugh. 

“Why so serious,” I ask. “I think we’re past the small-talk stage. I am cool, I sussed that night I could have been any man. I woke up you were gone. I 

“You woke up before I left, I saw your body go tense. Then feigned sleep. I thought you might call about my pump.”

 “I didn’t get your number, love, and my friends didn’t either.”

“I wasn’t looking to be their wife's sister, and yes I was in the mood even, though I am not sure how you knew” She answers.

  “I could feel tension and heat,” I answer.

 “Am I in a mood now?” she asks 

“Yes, but for something else, not a rematch,” I said. 

“You’re good,” she said.

“My name is Marlowe; would you fancy coffee we can talk about the weather. I reckon if you wanted to put it all behind you wouldn’t stop.”

“I think I am in the mood for some conversation and coffee and moves close in, I in middle of plague pull her in. She’s in the mood and moods pass It’s now or never