The park is peaceful, the morning light shines through the trees, its attempt to warm the land is in vain. A thin frost still covers the land, a delicate veil of white coats the grass. It is so cold; I can feel the icy wind cut through my jacket like it's a thin piece of material. I lift the collar of my jacket, pulling it tight around my neck, my beanie down hard on my head, stretched as far as it will go. I feel insane for being out here this early, but the view is worth it, these pictures will be beautiful.

The people pass around the edges of the park, making their way to work. I flick through the settings of my camera, taking photos of the parkland. The trees coated in white, branches heavy with little icicles. The lake looks like it is beginning to freeze over, some parts of it reflect the trees that hang low above it, some parts are dull, lacking in lustre. The wind howls past me, on it the sound of a woman giggling.

I turn and see her wrapped up in his arms, long flowing blonde hair falls effortlessly around her face and neck, forming large curls. Her cheeks rosy pink from the cold wind, her skin pale, lacking in colour. But her skin colour made her look like she had spent a week at the beach compared to the man that was with her. Soft brown hair and blue eyes, he looked oddly familiar but I just can't place him. Maybe he's been in the club. They walked past me, not noticing me, too busy with themselves, very obviously happy. They sit on a bench seat, shaded from the morning sun by a large fountain.

It seemed like ages that they sat there, she giggled as he kissed her neck, only the stone statue of a woman and a dirty old perv with a camera to watch them. How lucky she is to have someone that doesn't cheat on her. My mind chortles at my thoughts who says he isn't cheating on her? Just because they're canoodling in the park doesn't make him faithful. They stop their frolicking when another person joins them, a man that I think I recognise. It is hard to tell from this distance so I use the zoom on the camera. Ethan! the man from the pub, the gorgeous guy that gave me his business card that of course got thrown in the bin. What are the odds that I would see him again? I know this town isn't overly large but there are a lot of people here. Very odd. For some unknown reason I take the picture. When the picture comes out, it is a white blur, almost like it has been overexposed. Stupid camera must be broken.

'Everything ok?'

I nearly jump out of my skin as I look up and Ethan is standing there, looking down at me.

'Uh, yeah. I think my camera is broken.'

'You're out early.'

'Wanted to get the morning view.'

'So you're a photographer too?'

'Just a hobby.'

'That's my brother.' he nods at the couple by the fountain. 'And his flavour of the week. Don't know her name.'

'Oh. Lucky her.'

He laughs. 'I feel like a coffee, want to join me?'

'Yeah sure.'

*************************************

The coffee house is small and quiet; the dark walls make for a cosy atmosphere. Ethan sits opposite me at the tiny wood table as I begin to peel the many layers of clothing from my overheated body. The waitress brings two coffees and even though I said I wasn't hungry, Ethan insisted on buying breakfast. To my utter despair, he ordered the big breakfast which I hoped wasn't as big as it sounded. Although, I was hungry so something descent would be nice. He grins at me; I can feel my cheeks tinge with heat. How can he illicit such reactions from me? Is it because he is so much more handsome than Andy and he's actually showing an interest in me? My mind sighs sadly, looking up into those sparkling green eyes, wishing I could spend a lifetime looking at them. Never going to happen, dead woman walking, remember? I had to stop the negativity otherwise I would be a blubbering mess and I did not want to be like that in front of anyone, let alone someone I barely knew.

'How are you feeling today?'

'I actually feel well today.' I sip the divinely hot coffee. 'Surprising as I didn't sleep well last night.'

'Oh?'

'Nightmares.'

'Maybe you just need someone to give your mind a distraction, keep you company.'

He smirks as he sips his coffee, I can feel the heat rise to my cheeks yet again. I look down into my coffee, to avoid the gaze that I can feel burning on my skin.

'So are you still working?'

'Why? Planning on coming in for a one on one?'

I cannot believe what falls out of my mouth but it does and it leaves me shocked. What the hell is wrong with me? He laughs.

'I think I might. What days are you working?'

Oh far out. A plate of food is plonked onto the table in front of me and I nearly jumped up and kissed the woman for her well timed arrival.

Breakfast was pleasant, comfortable silence as we ate, for once in the past couple of days I felt relaxed. By the time I had made it through the meal, I was full. I don't think I will need to eat lunch now. When we stepped out of the shop, I was faced with something that would stir all of my anxiety back up. Andy. But then something unusual happened. Ethan slipped his hand into mine, entwining his fingers and clamping down firmly.

'Josie, baby, where have you been?'

'Don't baby me.' I hiss at him.

Ethan tugs on my hand, I look up at him, his face plain and unreadable.

'What's going on?' Andy says, his face begins to show a little anger. 'Are you with him?'

'I don't think that is any of your business.'

Ethan tugs on my hand again, this time I let him pull me away. He laughs when we get a few meters away.

'Do you really want to piss him off?'

I stop and look at him. 'What do you mean?'

'Don't freak out.'

'What?'

He leans in and kisses me, his lips cold from the autumn morning. I think that I begin to enjoy this kiss too much, not wanting to stop. It was soft and sweet but it left me wanting more.

'I think that might just do the job.' he says as he wraps his arm around my shoulder.

I grin as I bite my lip, yeah it did the job alright.

We walk for ages and surprisingly end up walking past my work. Only one side of the double doors were open, I knew that the place would be open for business but not at full staff. This was just to catch the lunch trade. The neon sign wasn't going which wasn't unusual, Franco was putting out the sign. He gave me a sly grin and wink as he always did and wandered back into the club. I point to the door and Ethan grins, knowing what I mean.

'I should go and tell them I won't be working any more, I'll only be a sec.'

I'm waiting in the main bar area for my boss when Ethan sneaks up behind me, grabbing my jacket from behind, pulling me to his body.

'How much do you cost, pretty lady?' he purrs in my ear.

'Too much for you.'

He laughs, his hands moving around my waist.

'Name your price.'

I think I just melted into the ground, a warm puddle of goo around his feet. My boss walks out, thank Christ, because I would have been seconds from pushing him to the ground and having him in the middle of the main bar area of the Luscious Lasses for all to see.

******************************

Ethan had decided that he would continue being my company for the day, after finding out that I hadn't been in the city for very long and that I had rarely visited as a child, he insisted that we do something worthwhile. Like the art gallery and the museum. His arm was still around my shoulder, mine around his waist. Somebody has gotten themselves rather cosy my mind scoffs. This was about the oddest beginning of a relationship I had ever had, by far. Was that what this was? Maybe he was just being comforting. I was over analysing again.

'Do you walk everywhere?'

He nods as he pulls me tighter to his body. I was going to be a giddy mess by the end of this corridor for sure.

'Good exercise.'

'Somehow I don't think I need it.' I mutter under my breath

Ethan holds me firmly by the shoulders, frowning as he looks down at me.

'You will beat it; you will get better.'

Yeah right. Just love your optimism.

'If you could have anything, what would it be?'

I look at him, a little confused at his question, but I answer him all the same.

'Life, a long life. Someone that loves me enough to remain faithful. Children, doctor says I can't have any. Happiness for all of my days. And probably a bit more money would be helpful.'

He smiles at me, wrapping his arm back around me.

'That's a pretty good wish list. You never know, one day you might just get all five.'