Pink Shades of Words: Walk 2016 Read Online Free

step back and hide out of view, he sees me. My heart is pounding as my fingers tighten around my wine glass. Is it him? Judging from the hard, long stare he gives me I have to think it is. His expression remains neutral, his only movement lifting his beer to his lips and taking a sip, all the while his gaze never wavering.
    What is he doing here anyway? The last I’d heard from mutual friends he was living in Northern California with a big development job at NextWave. I was secretly proud of him that he had achieved his dream, but now, seeing him in the flesh makes me realize that he has aged even better than I’d imagined. His lanky frame has filled out, his looks enhanced by the sheer confidence in his stance.
    I’m just about to give him a feeble wave when his gaze drops back to the crowd below. He must be waiting for someone.
    My mind is twirling in a complete conflict on what to do. I tell myself I have to go say hello to him. Once his guest arrives and the concert starts there may not be another chance. This is fate, not just that we’re both here, but that there’s this quiet moment with only a handful of people on this level of the theater with us.
    I slowly walk toward him, the entire time keeping my focus on his position through glances from each arch opening I pass. I can’t tell if he’s aware of me coming closer, but he doesn’t move. I’m about eight feet away from him before I stop.
    “Matthew?”
    He turns toward me and I give him a soft smile.
    From this distance I can see the surprise in his eyes as if he can’t believe both that I’m here, and that I had the courage to approach him.
    “It’s been a long time,” I say.
    He lips are pressed in a straight line. “It has. What are you doing here?”
    “Oh, I’m still a fan. So how could I resist? And how about you? I heard you were living up North.”
    “I am, but I have business in L.A. fairly often.”
    I nod and then there’s an awkward pause.
    “So you’re still a fan?” I ask him, desperately trying to make conversation when he isn’t making it easy.
    “I am,” he says as he glances on either side of me. “Who’d you come with?”
    Out of pride part of me wants to lie, but I can’t. “I came alone,” I say.
    He gives me a long look as if he’s trying to figure out an appropriate response when his phone rings. He reaches into his jacket and glances at his phone’s screen.
    “You’ll have to excuse me. I have to take this.”
    I’m swept up in disappointment to be dismissed, but I accept it because isn’t that what I deserve? I shattered his heart as a young man, and the fact that decades have passed doesn’t mean he owes me anything.
    I gaze at him one last time. “Good to see you, Matt.” And I turn and walk away.
    With one hand on my wine glass and the other tightly gripping the railing, I make my way down the stairs and retreat to one of the reception rooms. I’m fighting back a feeling of panic making me want to rush out of the theater and head to my car. Somehow in my big idea to come to this concert and make peace with the past, I didn’t anticipate the past slapping me square in the face.
    “Are you okay?”
    I look up and recognize the woman who I spoke with briefly in line.
    I give her a weak smile. “Not really. I just ran into an old boyfriend who things ended badly with. It was really awkward, and honestly I’m not sure I still want to stay.”
    “Oh, I’m sorry,” she says. “But you can’t leave! You were so excited to be here.”
    “I know. Maybe I just need to calm down.”
    She gives me an encouraging smile. “Besides, this show is sold out and this place is packed. The odds are in your favor that you won’t even run into him again.”
    I sigh. “Maybe you’re right.”
    Although they haven’t flashed the lights indicating that it’s time to take our seats I decide to go find my seat early. It seems like the perfect place to hide out until the concert starts. I’m disappointed to see