It was a rainy Monday night — the kind of Baltimore rain that doesn't fall so much as collapse from the sky. I'd heard the forecast earlier, but in my haste, I left my umbrella right by the front door. Typical. Still, I ran out anyway to meet Mattie and the others for cocktails at The Charles. I was supposed to meet one of her acquaintances — not even a real friend — but he stood us up. Fine by me. The night had its own plans.  

You know that feeling when someone is watching you? Not admiring — studying. Clawing at your aura. I felt it immediately. And if you've read my story, you already know who I'm talking about my ex, Russell.  

I never go out looking for anyone.  I don't have the taste for that kind of interaction. I prefer things to happen naturally —like sharing the red line to Union Station with someone and striking up a conversation. But this night wasn't natural. 

It was... something else.

I leaned closer to Mattie and whispered, "Some guy has been examining me the whole night."

She thought it was cute.

I thought it was serial killer-ish.

Two of our friends arrived — Syl (short for Sylvester Stone, though he says it so fast you'd swear he's claiming to be Sylvester Stalone) and Fran (Francis James, though I'm convinced that wasn't her birth name; she rebranded for fashion and honestly, it fits). Syl is a sweetheart. No luck with the ladies, but he'd part the Red Sea for any of us. 

We love when Syl joins us because all the drinks magically end up on his tab.

I told them about my gawker. Fran thought it was cute too. Syl wanted to confront him, but Mattie waved him off. "There's no harm in looking." she said.

As the night wore on, Fran and I were ready to head home. I'd only had two martinis, so I was fine to drive. Fran and Mattie, however, were toasted — then grilled. Syl, ever the gentleman, offered to drive them home. He never drinks when he knows one of us has had more than two. I went to the loo — I always do before heading home. You never know with Baltimore traffic. When I came out, I hugged them all and stepped ahead of them toward the door. The rain was heavy like quilts falling from the sky. I stood there, contemplating whether to run to my car or wait it out. And then my gawker stepped beside me, holding a large green umbrella.

"I see you are in a conundrum!" he said.

He was handsome. Well-dressed. But that's never a good enough reason to hitch an umbrella ride with a stranger. Yet... you can guess what happened. 

"I have been watching you all night." He said as the rain fisted his umbrella.

"I know." I replied.

"You are a beautiful lady. Any man would be intrigued. I am Russell, by the way." 

"I am Lily."

"And that you are — a beautiful flower." 

Corny. So corny.

"This is me," I said, stopping at my car. "Thank you."

"When can we meet up again?" He asked. 

"Again?" My voice drifted as I unlocked my car. 

"I'd love to have coffee with you." 

"I don't like coffee." 

"Tea?" 

"I seldom drink tea." 

"Water then. I know you must drink water, even if you do not like it."

I sighed. He was relentless. I was tired.

"Fine, I am jogging in the morning."

"Okay... jogging?"

I hoped jogging would deter him.

It didn't.

"And where exactly?" He asked, "Maryland has so many places to jog."

"Meadowbrook Park."

He frowned. I tried again. "You really don't have to come; I bring my own water."

"No, no. I will be there. What time?"

"Five-thirty."

"In the morning?"

"You are not a morning person?" I asked, crossing my fingers internally.

"I will be there. Sneakers and water and all." 

I cussed in my mind. 

And from that jog we went to lunch, then out for drinks then unfortunately I let him into my life.