I stood completely frozen; the wine glass the bartender had given me hanging limply in my hand, as I tried to will my brain back to function.

The memory of the last time I saw the man comes back, and I can almost hear the chants of his name echoing all around me, as the crowd erupts in cheer.

It had been more than a decade ago, the last time I saw Jake in person. I remember reading the newspapers and seeing his name in it. The article was about a new and rising star in the NFL, announcing him being drafted into a major team and on his way to Super Bowl.

So, when the time for the final game came, I found myself sitting on the bleachers, surrounded by screaming fans something I never once in my life did and watching the man I've loved more than any other, run across the field.

It was one of the best and, yet, one of the worst days of my life, as when Jake scoured the winning touchdown, happiness erupted in my chest at the sight of the blonds' brilliant smile. But the feeling soon simmered down to nothing, as the realization that I was not a part of it washed over me.

Every part of my being wanted to get down there, scoop the man into my arms, and just hold him, whisper words of pride into his ear, and kiss him, but I couldn't.

There was no place for me in his life, haven't been for a long time, and as Jake's teammates ran up to him and surrounded him from all sides, and the cheers of the crowd grew ever-louder, I stood up and left, without looking back.

I blinked and I was back in my gallery, the echo of cheers dissipating as I slowly put the glass down, the bottom of it clinking against the marble top as my hand started to shake, seeing as the last thing I needed at that moment was to drop it and make a scene.

I finally turned around, after making sure that I've schooled my face into a nonchalant mask, even though my brain was in scrambles.

The first thing I noticed was how close the source of that voice was, my eyes connecting with the man's chest barely inches away from my face.

He was dressed in a dark, tailored suit that had obviously been made for him by the way it was clinging to every curve and dip of his incredible body.

He was bigger than I remembered, which I guessed was to be expected after more than a decade of playing professional football, but the sight of it still made my breath catch.

I took a big breath, before finally looking up only to stop breathing altogether.

He was still beautiful; now even more so, if such a thing was possible, with his blond hair cut close to his head, making his sharp jaw more prominent. His icy, blue eyes seemed somehow warmer with a few crow feet surrounding them, that I knew haven't been there the last time we saw each other.

The only unexpected thing was a thick beard that was surrounding his mouth, hiding the little beauty mark that I loved to kiss so much once upon a time.

Jake was the same and, yet, completely different and I was sure that my heart had stopped beating as I stared at him transfixed.

And I wasn't the only one, since the blond was doing the same thing, his eyes traveling all over my body as if trying to catalog each change until they connected with mine, a small smile appearing on his face as if he couldn't believe that we were there; in the same place, at the same time, facing each other.

"Hi.", I whispered, feeling desperate to break the tension that I felt building between us the longer we stared at each other.

It was like I've stepped into a time machine and we were back in my room, waiting for the other to make the first move.

But that was a long time ago and I knew better now, so I shook my head and stepped away, grabbing my wine glass, so I had something to do with my hands.

"Hi.", Jake said back, stepping beside me and motioning for the bartender to give him a drink.

"What are you doing here?", I finally asked him after the silence stretched for too long, becoming too uncomfortable for me to bear.

"It is your first gallery opening.", Jake said, his smooth, deep voice sending shivers down my back like it used to do, and I cursed myself for being so weak.

Haven't I learned my lesson by now?

"Yes, I know. But that doesn't answer my question.", I said, making myself look up to his eyes without flinching, not wanting to reveal how much this meeting was affecting me.

"Yes, it does. You're not the only one who remembers, Mr. owner of 'His room'.", Jake leaned in and whispered into my ear, his hot breath warming my skin, before retreating and taking a sip of the amber liquid in his glass, his eyes not straining from my face for even a second and his body leaning into mine, almost trapping me to the bar.

I was starting to lose my composure and fast, as the warmth of Jake's body started sipping through my clothes and making my breath hitch.

It had been so long since we last saw each other, but it was like no time had passed at all as soon as Jake appeared beside me.

And just like that, I was, once again, a stupid little boy, desperate for Jake to touch me, like me, love me; ready to get down on my knees and beg, and I felt cold fury erupt in my chest at the thought.

"Well, good for you Jake. Thank you for coming. Make sure to send my regards to Melissa. Goodbye.", I said as coldly as I could, pushing on his chest harshly, and making my way out of there as fast as I could, not stopping until I was in my car, my foot stepping on the gas pedal as the tires screeched over the concrete ground.