A week passed, and Josh didn't see Riley at the park again. He found himself there more and more after the phone conversation with his ex-girlfriend. She called while Josh cleaned up his place, giving him some overused excuse that she was just going in a different direction in life than he was. When he demanded a real reason, she said that he was content in a boring, repetitive life and had no aspirations of really doing anything worthwhile. Apparently, she had felt that way for some time but put a smile on her face and tried to wait for him to come around.

Now, he wasn't angry that she left without a word, but that she pretended for so long. How far did the act go? When she said she had a good time at the movies? When they spent the weekend away at a cabin during the summer? When she moaned at his touch? The pain and rage slipped to numbness without him realizing it. 

He carried out his days on autopilot until he reached the park, where he sat on the same bench, scanning the people in hopes of seeing the tiny woman on roller skates again. Josh tried to find out more about Riley by asking various people in the park about her, but no one seemed to have seen the oddly dressed woman rolling around recently. Others said they knew her but couldn't remember the last time they saw her. None of them were close enough to even know her name.

Part of him told him to give it up, that is was just one of those random city meetings, and he needed to heal. Josh also didn't find I wise to go looking for another woman so soon after a breakup. What friends picked his side after the breakup, told him to find a rebound, it was the best way to forget an ex, but he didn't have it in him. Even if he did go off and find a one night romance, he felt that he would spend the time thinking about Riley.

He realized that he was re-reading the same page of his book for the fourth time. With a sigh, he rubbed his eyes and took a giant gulp of his coffee. Snow was falling again and chose to hide out in the warmth of the coffee shop rather than freezing at the park. This street was a popular commute for walkers, so there was a good chance Riley could come by this way. Josh bit his lip. He was starting to feel like a stalker from a horror movie but what else could he do with only a first name, no phone number, and no address?

All he had was Fate, who had been having too much fun burning him recently. The book lost his interest entirely, but it felt too depressing to just stare out the window, watching the people pass by. He pulled some papers out of his bag that needed to be graded, not wanting his students to pay for his sour mood. He just finished the sixth paper when Fate screamed at him to look up. 

At that moment, Riley rolled past the coffee shop window. His eyes widened, and he quickly stuffed the papers in his bag and darted towards the door. Josh called for her but rapidly lost her in the mass of people. Even with the rollerblades, Riley was pretty short, making it even harder for Josh to find her. Finally, he caught sight of the golden brown hair and a distinctive glide and dashed forward.

The harsh winter air burned and prickled his lungs, his gloveless fingers were almost numb. Somehow he managed to close the distance between them, but his hoarse throat wouldn't allow the words to reach the woman. Eventually, he reached his hand out to catch her attention before she turned the corner. Just before he touched her, she turned with a smile.

“Josh! Funny seeing you here! Why are you so out of breath?”

“I – didn't – want – to – miss you,” Josh said breathlessly.

“Miss me? That's adorable! Sorry, my schedule is so crazy sometimes that I never know when I can get out this way.”

“Well, did you ever find out what your phone number is?”

“Oh! I know my number you goober. I just didn't want to give it to you.”

“But you want to be friends?” Josh asked, not hiding the defeat in his voice.

“No no no. I didn't want to give it to you because I'm not home much. I hardly ever answer it.”

“What about a cell phone?”

“None to speak of. It's weird to be so attached, so electronics isn't it?”

“Could I have your number anyway?”

The question instantly caused Riley's perky smile to shift into hesitation. After a moment of thought, she nodded. Josh burst into a grin, clumsily digging for a pen and paper. Riley eyed the paper and quickly raddled off the number. He carefully tucked the paper into his pocket, and a thick wall of tension developed between them.

“I-I should warn you, I'm not what I seem,” Riley said.

“None of us are.”

She gave a weak smile and nodded. “I should go, I'm going to be late.”

“Oh, of course. Sorry, I held you up. I'll call you soon.”

“Yeah, talk to you soon.”

Riley gave a small wave before rolling away from him again, this time leaving Josh standing the crowd, warmed by the flush of his cheeks.