Chapter 2: Rowen, Part 2

I completely forget about the couple I was just watching, because I think this woman may actually fascinate me more. She is, by far, one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen in my life. And that says a lot considering my dad's choice in career and the hoardes of fans that come along with it.

Her long, glossy dark hair sits halfway down her back. Her eyes are bright blue with black rims. Her lips are plump and pink and perfectly heart shaped. I'm stunned by how gorgeous she is.

I quickly try to recover my wits so she won't think I'm a total loser. Sitting here all alone, Chucks on my feet and my trademark beanie pulled low over my head, I don't exactly scream successful.

"I'm not staring at them, I'm observing them," I explain.

She crinkles her brow at me. "There's a difference?"

"Yep." Seems like I have her interested now. I guess we'll see where a little light conversation takes us. "A creeper watches people because he has some devious little plan as to how to incorporate them into his life. He doesn't care if they're afraid or if they want to go along with it. He does it anyway."

"The fact that you know so much about the thought process of a creeper is a little weird, ya know?"

"I have to know the difference if I'm going to defend myself from being lumped into that category."

"Ah," she says with a smile. "Makes sense. So if you're not a creeper, what are you?"

"I'm an observer."

"An observer."

"Yes."

"How is that different from being a creeper again?"

I set my drink down on the bar behind me. I'm still not drinking it. No reason to hold it any longer. "I'm just watching because I'm fascinated by human behavior. By what people say when they aren't saying anything. What huge bits of information about each other do we miss because we aren't paying attention to the little nuances? It fascinates me. So that's why I'm observing."

"Hmm." She turns around to face the same direction as me and starts watching the couple in the corner as well. "So what discoveries have you made by watching them?"

"Well, his behavior hasn't changed much."

"Meaning?"

"He's pretending not to play with his phone, but he is. He makes small talk, but his eyes keep wandering to the game on the TV. He's trying, but not hard enough. He's not into her at all."

She leans in closer to me. "If he's bored, why is he still here?"

"I think it's a blind date," I deduce. "See how nice she looks?" She nods. "I think she wants a relationship, a partner, maybe to settle down, maybe not. He, on the other hand, is probably a nice guy. But he's not ready to commit to anyone yet. He's uncomfortable because he doesn't want to let his friend down, the one who set him up, but he knows this isn't going anywhere."

The girl next to me laughs. "You got all of that out of people watching?"

I shrug and smile. "I admit, I made up most of it. But it was their body language that led me to my conclusions."

She swivels around in her stool and waves down the bartender. "Even if you're wrong, the story is interesting."

"Oh, I'm not wrong," I say confidently as I swivel around as well. I reach my hand across the bar. "I'm Rowen, by the way."

"Rowen Flanigan, The Rookie. I know who you are," she says shaking my hand. "I'm Tiffany Wendel. I'm friends with the team."

"It's nice to meet you, Tiffany. Are you hanging out here with the team for long?"

"Actually, a bunch of us are heading over to Mack Shivel's place in a little bit for a get together. Wanna come?"

I can't tell if she's flirting with me or not. But I find myself extremely attracted to her. And I'm really enjoying talking to her. Plus, there's the added benefit of getting to know more of my teammates. "Sure. I'll go. Do you need a ride?"

"Nah," she says with a smile as she picks up her drink. "I came with friends."

"Okay." She turns to head back to the group of women she came with. "I'll see you there, Tiffany."

She turns back around and flashes me the most beautiful smile. I think I'm in love.