OUR STORY BEGINS...

“Waterfire’s tonight,” said Beth. It was the first Waterfire of the season, and that usually meant special events, and lots and lots of spectators.

“Yeah, I know,” said Natalie, ”Like, I want to go by myself again.” She turned around quickly, and left the living room of her plush apartment in Providence.

Beth followed her into the kitchen. “Well, then go with me, and we can act stupid, like we use to do. Remember when the girls just went out to have a good time, and didn’t care whether or not there were guys with them? Come on, you‘ll have fun!”

“Ok, but only an hour. Then we go dancing. Deal?”

“Deal” said Beth.

One and a half hours later, the two had finished getting ready and walked to Providence’s Water Place Park, just as the Waterfire was about to begin.

“Hey, my feet are tired, and I want to take a break,” said Natalie. She plopped down on a bench and took a sip of her Dunkin Mochachino.

“Ok,” said Beth “I’ll be right back, I want to get a chocolate covered strawberry before it gets crowded.”

“Hurry back.”

Twenty minutes went by and Beth didn’t come back. Natalie started to worry. Maybe something had happened. The crowd had grown thicker, and she wasn’t sure she would be able to find Beth without making a scene and all.

She grabbed her drink, and off she went.

“Hum,” thought Natalie, “Where the hell did she go?” She took a sip of coffee and wasn’t watching where she was going. Before she knew it, she had backed into someone.

“Hey,” said Bruce, “Watch where you’re going.”

“I didn’t do it on purpose.” said Natalie, “In fact, you bumped into me!” She glanced up, and noticed a very nice looking man standing in front of her. Kind of yuppie looking, with short light brown hair, piercing blue eyes, and a physique that could kill. . His glasses rested on his nose as he peered over the rim to look at her. He had to be about 35-40, considering his hairline. Hum, maybe about 6 feet tall, she thought, and quickly glanced at his hands. No rings, so that was a plus.

“Okay, okay,” said Bruce, “I'm not looking for a fight!” He couldn’t help to notice her shocking red shoulder length hair, with a subtle wave running along the front of her face. Her eyes were earthy brown, and freckles dotted her face sporadically. She was striking, about 5 feet 6 inches, and fit…maybe about 35. Her body was well toned and she had an air of confidence about her saying “no one was going to mess with this chic!”

“Well, neither am I. “ said Natalie, “I was just looking for my girlfriend. She disappeared about an hour ago. At least it seems like that.”

“Do you want help in finding her?”

“I don’t even know you.”

“Hey, you’re safe.” said Bruce. “In this crowd, if you screamed, someone would notice, I’m sure. And, do I look like the type of guy that would make a pass at a lady?”

“No, I guess I can trust you,” said Natalie, grinning sheepishly, as she twirled her hair.

After about an hour of searching Natalie was getting frantic. She was about to dial Beth’s cell phone, when she noticed she had a message. It was Beth, saying that she had to go home, as she was paged into work early at the hospital. She’d walk home and call tomorrow.

“Well, at least I know she’s ok,” said Natalie. “Guess I’ll go home now”

“Why don’t we just sit over there a little?” Bruce pointed to a bench over looking the waterway.

The caldrons were ablaze with fiery pines, and the aroma passed swiftly through their noses. The scene was perfect for romance, but Natalie wasn’t about to let her guard down. Bruce appeared to be a “good boy”, but you never know

“Ok,” said Natalie, “but only for a few minutes. I have to work in the morning.

They talked for a long time as they enjoyed the cool breezes and the fires crackling on the water.

Bruce is very easy to talk to, thought Natalie, but he is just too good to be true.

“Hey.” Said Bruce, “I know you said you have to go soon, so why don’t we exchange cell phone numbers? We can chat during the week… maybe go out for ice cream?”

Ice cream? thought Natalie. Wow, he sure isn’t like the guys I know. They usually want more than ice cream. “Works for me” she said.

They exchanged numbers, and decided that they would talk during the week.

But, who would make the first call? Would Natalie sit by the phone, waiting for Bruce to call, or will Bruce sit by the phone, waiting for Natalie to call. Stay tuned for the next encounter of Natalie and Bruce in "Romance in Rhode Island" [ Go to part 2 ...]

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