"Pardon me."

"Shit."

Joy's hands instinctively shot out and clung to the soft material covering the hard body she collided with. The stale smell of cigarette smoke lingered in the air around them.

Louis braced his grip on a pair of delicate arms covered by an expensive looking coat. He held her firmly in place as she stumbled slightly against him. He looked down at the manicured nails digging into his hoodie covered chest.

Hidden by the raised hood, his face slowly came into Joy's view as he tilted his head back up to look at her. What she was faced with was a pair a steel blue eyes she hadn't seen in years. The baby face she had once known was gone. Roundness was replaced with sharper, more angled features. A light smattering of hairs graced his chin and upper lip, too long to be stubble, but not thick enough to really warrant being called a goatee. Laugh lines were etched in the corners of his eyes, leading to the assumption he'd had a good life since she last saw him.

"Anyone ever tell you it's not very polite to stare? Unless, of course, you see something you like." He gave a sly wink as he looked down the length of her. Louis was a sucker for anything in a skirt, but he was curious what she was hiding under her tightly wrapped trench coat. His teeth sunk into his bottom lip as his eyes wandered over her chest. She hadn't closed the top of her coat and the small part of skin showing, begged to be touched by his lips. Just as he felt the pull to lower his mouth to the visual tease of flesh, she took a step back out of his grasp. His hands retreating to the warm confines of his pockets.

"Louis Tomlinson. I see you haven't changed much. Do cheesy pick up lines still work these days?"

Louis looked over her again, this time for a different reason. This bombshell knew him? Had they already slept together? Surely he would remember that. He looked at her face and concentrated. There was something familiar about her, but he couldn't seem to place it. 

Seeing his struggle she began to dig through her purse.

"Hold on, this may help you remember." She said as she pulled out a pair of square black rimmed frames and placed them on the bridge of her nose. She held out her hands in a gesture that said, ta-da!

He tried to imagine her without makeup. His mind stripped her of her red stained lips and precise smokey eye. Though he'd rather strip her of other things. No, he focused harder on her face. Then it hit him.

"Holy shit. Joyful noise Parker. You grew up."

"Wow, I haven't heard that nickname in years. I can't say I've missed it." She said, shaking her head as she folded her glasses and tucked them back into her bag. "I'd love to catch up, but I'm actually headed home."

Louis pulled his phone from his pocket to check the time. 

"A bit early to be calling it a night, isn't it? It's barely seven thirty."

"There's nothing wrong with being home at a reasonable hour." 

Louis just blinked at her before saying, "It's a Friday night."

Joy just shrugged.

"Wow, what are you, eighty?" 

Joy crossed her arms over her chest and pursed her lips. She knew she had no argument. Louis suddenly found himself desperately wanting to loosen her up. And maybe loosen those luscious lips as well. He stepped toward her and held out his hand.

"Come on." 

Joy looked at his outstretched hand suspiciously. 

"Where?"

"I'm gonna buy you a drink, you're gonna tell me how boring your life is and we'll go from there."

She still eyed him, not completely trusting him. He shook his hand a little impatiently.

"I'm not trying to kidnap you or anything. You said it yourself you wanted to catch up." Louis shoved his hand back into his pocket, tired of letting it chill in the open air. "Fine. I'm going for a drink. If you're in such a hurry to get home then I won't keep you. But if you'd like to liven up what's sure to be a dull evening in, I'll be down the street at Jimmy's Corner Bar." 

Joy watched as he turned swiftly and began walking away.  She liked her life. She didn't think it was boring or dull. It was secure and reliable. Louis was always the bad boy in school. Always pulling pranks, getting in trouble. What did he know? She weighed her options. Go home, change into comfortable pajamas, snuggle up in her big bed and read until falling asleep. Or...an unpredictable evening with someone who may very well have an agenda of his own. One that she'd never even consider, usually.

Louis walked with a leisurely stroll, his hood up and hands tucked into his pockets. He really had hoped she would decide to go with him. But if she was too much of a stuck up prude to relax a bit and cut loose on a Friday night, then fuck her. Damn. Now he was thinking about fucking her. But that wasn't going to happen, fat chance Tomlinson. He thought back to when she put those glasses on. Shit she was hot. He'd be saving that image in his brain for later. He let out a breath and watched the warm fog of air drift off as he walked. Looks like another night alone at the bar.

The sound of hurried heels clicking down the sidewalk broke through his thoughts.

"Louis! Wait up!" He heard her call from behind. He slowed his steps as a smile hitched up the corners of his lips. Maybe he'd have company at the bar tonight after all. This could be an interesting night.

A/N: Alright! First chapter down! Please comment and let me know how you like the story so far. I think this is going to be a fun ride...

DCMurphy