Read Don't Look Back for Free Online Page A

Di that night, Matt didn’t think he would have gone on to meet Julia. Di was the one who encouraged him to move on, to finally put Kate’s memory to rest.
    Just then, Terry appears and heads straight for him. Matt’s cheerful friend is looking a little older, but Terry’s smile is genuine, and he extended his hand toward Matt in welcome.
    “Matt, so glad you made it. Truly sorry about your dad, mate.” Terry shakes his hand vigorously and pats him affectionately on the back with the other hand. Terry is obviously thrilled to see his old friend. “My God, what’s it been, twenty something years?”
    “Something like that,” Matt replies, enthusiastically returning the handshake.
    “Come on in, let me get you drink.” Terry nods toward the bar. He suddenly freezes. Katie is now inconveniently sitting at the bar.
    Sensing Terry’s hesitation, Matt turns his attention in the same direction, and he is caught off guard. Surely it can’t be. He watches intensely as the woman who has caught his attention converses with the girl behind the bar. Without a doubt, every fiber of Matt’s body is confirming the identity of the brunette sitting at the bar. He can feel it. He can’t explain; it’s a feeling that he has always had aroundher, like a spiritual recognition. Terry and Matt both stare, then Matt turns to his friend with a frown, irritated that Terry hadn’t mentioned this.
    “Is that who I think it is, Terry?” Matt, displeased, already knows the answer.
    Terry, unaware of the severity of the situation, slaps him on the back again and replies with a chuckle. “My friend, if you are referring to Diana's surprise birthday guest, then yes, that is
exactly
who you think is!” After a couple of beers, Terry seems to be finding the situation amusing, and seems pleased with himself about how well the party is turning out.
    “Fuck, Terry!” Matt curses, unprepared for this surprise. “Thanks a lot for the warning. I had no idea
she
would be here.” Matt rakes his fingers through his hair nervously, considering his options. He can leave and look like a complete arsehole to his friends, or put on a brave face, say hello to the girl who broke his heart twenty-two years ago, and pretend she meant nothing at all.
    “Sorry, mate. It’s a total surprise to all of us. I didn’t know anything about it, and neither did Joe. We showed up tonight, and she was here.” Terry attempts to recover. “Look. If you honestly don’t want to see her, I understand. Diana hasn’t spotted you yet, and after the day you’ve had, I wouldn’t blame you at all.” Terry continues, trying to convince his friend to stay. “But it was a long time ago. You were kids, Matt, everyone has grown up, got married, and had kids of their own since then. Why not let bygones be bygones?”
    “It was a long time ago,” Matt repeats, thinking about how empty some of those years felt.
    “Go say hello, get a drink. I’ll give you two a moment of privacy to get over the awkward stuff, then I’ll be over in a few with Di.” With that, Terry abandons him.
    Matt regains his composure, masquerading his true feelings, allowing his hard exterior to take over. Breathing deeply, he walks toward the bar. Casually sliding up to the dark wood surface a few seats down from where Katherine sits sipping a glass of white wine, Matt watches her from the corner of his eye. She is smiling, saying something to the young barmaid, a hint of laughter in her voice. Unaware of the intrusion, they pay him no attention, allowing him a moment to look her over. Her hair is shoulder length, a gentle brown, no longer the teenage blonde he last saw. She has matured into a beautiful woman; only traces of the girl he once knew remain. Her skin has a soft tan; his eyes trace her outline, following the curves of her body from the silk blouse to her black skirt, down her crossed legs to her black stiletto heels.
    Shit! His body reacts to the pleasing sight before him.
I’m still