<span style="font-style: italic">"I'm sorry... I... we have met before... right?", she asked tentatively.</span><br/><br/>Ash caught himself staring at her, but made no attempt to look away, his eyes locked on hers. It was a visage of familiar beauty he unexpectedly encountered and brought back memories of the many years together with her, tentatively holding back his feelings all those years ago. Now he was faced with a second chance, yet his current situation could be dangerous to bring someone else into, especially an old crush from years ago. Still, as he sat staring with his mouth open, an eventual answer lingering on his tongue but yet not escaping his mouth, he considered if he should just throw his destiny to the wind for once and have a chance at happiness. He finally decided to be selfish for once and spoke to her, closing his mouth again.<br/><br/>"Cat got your tongue, Ash?" Tom asked, "You know her?"<br/><br/>"I...yes..., Becca? Oh wow! It's been a while!" Ash stammered. He was not surprised she was uncertain about who he was. He used to be a little pudgy back when they were friends, not overweight, but nowhere near like he is now. Thanks to what happened to him, he had become quite muscular and had a completely different body structure. It was no wonder she didn't recognize him at first.<br/><br/>"An old flame?" Tom asked. Ash turned slightly red.<br/><br/>"Oh, sorry." Ash said, clearing his throat, "Tom, this is Rebecca. Becca, Tom. We just met today on the job."<br/><br/>"Met?" Tom chuckled, "This man single handedly saved my fucking life this afternoon. I was being an idiot up on a scaffold and didn't stay hydrated in the heat. I ended up falling off a two story platform and Beast here was half way up already and caught me!" Tom leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, "He's a Goddamn hero."<br/><br/>Now Ash had turned a deep shade of red and cleared his throat, clearly embarrassed.<br/><br/>"Please, it wasn't that heroic. He's just making a big deal out of it." Ash muttered.<br/><br/>"Listen, don't listen to anything he says. Tonight's on me as thanks." He handed Becca a credit card, "I'm not taking no for an answer. You be sure to put it all on that card and put 20 percent down as a tip."<br/><br/>"You don't have to do this, Tom." Ash retorted.<br/><br/>"You know, the less you order, the smaller the tip she gets. Better get the steak." he said with a smile. There was an awkward pause and Ash flashed an embarrassed smile to Becca.<br/><br/>"Steak and a beer, please. Rare." he said, "And we need to get a coffee after you get off. We have a lot to catch up on. I don't care how late it is."