vivid depths that dazzled and the air ruffled your skin just enough to make you stop and take notice.

And I had taken notice. The light wind played with Kent’s blonde hair as he folded his arms across his chest and just gazed out over the bay. He was one of those men that had always easily been noticed, but the boyish looks and the charming dimples had changed. Before while adorable, he was one of many young men with teeny bopper cover looks and a white smile. Now, despite the scars of quiet pain, when those dark blue eyes turned to you, he took your breath away.

We had cleaned up the table and wandered back out on the pier, drawn to the sparkle of the water and the song of cicadas. We sat there side by side, legs dangling over the edge, sipping our wine and drinking in the good company and the sweetness of the soon to be fall night.

In the distance music played, the old stuff; music that eased you into it and unleashed your senses slowly and seductively. Kent leaned back on his arms and smiled. “What a perfect night.”

I sipped the last of my red and nodded. “Getting cooler now…won’t be spending too many more nights out here.”

“Great cuddle weather, though.”

“Oh god yeah…” I closed my eyes and remembered, god how I remembered. “I miss that. I bought flannel sheets, but that only helps a little.”

Kent put an arm around my shoulder and slapped his hand on my chest. “You really need to find someone Joe. You weren’t meant to be alone.”

I chuckled to myself. “It would be nice my friend, but I’m not going to hold my breath.” Kent nodded his head and looked at the water below our feet. “And what about you, buddy? Me thinks I heard the pot call the kettle black.”

“Oh man, I gave up forever ago. My needs have changed. I’m too private now, and women…please don’t get me wrong, I love women…but relationships with the ladies mean a lack of privacy. It’s a natural thing…”

“Two become one…”

“I’m too closed off, I may never be ready for that kind of intimacy again. It makes me uncomfortable. I’m more comfortable with what we have.”

“Plus, I’m a cheap date.”

Kent laughed. I was so drawn to that laugh; the little dimples of his youth were now deeper and longer, teasing you to fall in them when he laughed. “Listen...” he said. “Hear that?”

I cocked my head to match his. “What? The music?”

“Yeah. What’s that song?” He bobbed his head and sang “Dah dah dah dah duh dah…” I love that!” He stood up and began to sway to the music, moving his feet and his hips gently swirling an invisible partner around the invisible dance floor. It was the Four Seasons and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.” I couldn’t resist. I stood up and joined him, dancing with my own long gone invisible partner.

Before we knew it we were dancing together on the end of the pier, at first just swaying together to the far off sound of Tony Bennett, then to Vicki Carr. By the time Michael Buble’s voice could be heard on the water, I had placed my hands around Kent’s back and his hands gently took my waist and we