A Chance Encounter

CHARLOTTE

“Looks like nature delights in letting us cross paths,” a familiar voice said behind me. I turned around and locked gazes with Thiago.

“That’s such a poetic way to say it,” I replied as a smile formed at the corners of my lips before turning away. I had just gotten off the plane and was trying to stop a taxi to take me to the hotel.

“You think so?” he inquired as some men picked up his luggage and walked towards a black SUV. I resisted the urge to ask why he had people following him around and decided to focus on getting to a nice hotel room.

The last thing I needed was a conversation I was trying to avoid, but I turned around and chuckled. “No. I think it’s corny.”

He chuckled in response and stepped in front of me, hailing an oncoming taxi. “I would’ve offered you a ride, but I don’t think you’d like that.”

“You’re right about that,” I wanted to say, but stopped myself before the thought formed words. “We might be going in different directions too,” I said instead.

“I trie