Red, yellow, and orange leaves of various hues filled the trees outlining the streets of Boston. The cool autumn breeze ever so gently blowing them off, carrying them gracefully to the ground. Sienna zipped her up her khaki colored jacket, moving wisps of her long hair out of her face. She breathed in the crisp air while going down the steps of her apartment building to take in the scenery. Fall was her second favorite season. Christmas being the first. The way the colorful leaves contrasted the brick buildings. The way you could go out in a t shirt or a jacket and be okay either way. There was something about the shift in the air that made it all so special.

A smile crossed her lips as she spotted her sister walking towards her holding two cups of coffee. Since Ava had started college in the city, the two would make it a point to spend Sunday’s together. She walked towards the younger woman, her arms spreading out for a hug before taking the extra coffee cup from her hands.

“Cream. 4 sugars. Just how you like it.”

“You’re amazing.” she sipped it carefully as the two began to walk down the street.

“I don’t know how you can drink that. It’s pure sugar.”

“You know, I don’t drink coffee for the flavor, just that kick of caffeine.”

Shaking her head, Ava laughed at her older sister. She had always been like that. Living on a caffeine rush. It was something she was quickly learning in her second year. She’d always admired Sienna. She could handle it all. Work, school, friends, relationships. There was nothing she wouldn’t excel in. She had even graduated college at the top of her class. It was needless to say she had a lot to live up too, but it didn’t matter. Sienna was her hero and these Sunday get togethers were desperately necessary to maintain her sanity.

Crossing over onto Newbury street, the two sipped their coffee as they blended into the crowd. Newbury street was always bustling with crowds of people. Tourists, locals, and college students. There was something so unique about the livelihood of the whole thing. They’d been walking down this same street since they were kids. It was very rare you’d see the same faces every year but it was home to them. Each store, each coffee shop, each stoop. All carried special memories.

Sienna was filled in on Ava’s week at school. Even though the younger sister dormed only a few blocks from her, it was rare they saw each other during the week with their busy schedules. So far school wasn’t going to great for her. With midterms going on, she had been pulling all nighters every day that week. It was even a surprise that she pulled herself away today. Their brother Gabriel was even more busy than the two of them. Between high school, work, and his senior internship – they were lucky if they got to see him once a month. When he finally called them about meeting with him tomorrow, they didn’t hesitate to call off work and class to spend the day.

They made their way down towards the shops. The younger woman was extremely excited when it came to the latest trends and styles – that and that it was on Sienna’s tab, but Sienna didn’t mind, she’d make it up to her one day when she got her degree. For now all that mattered was that she got some stress relief so she didn’t fail her exams.

A long line waiting in front of a store caught their attention. Ava stood on her toes to peek over some people before she let out a loud shriek. Sienna jumped at the sound before leaning up herself to see a couple of the New England football players doing a signing. She rolled her eyes at the younger woman while she jumped into the line looking at Sienna with pleading eyes.

“Please Sienna! It won’t take to long!”

Sienna’s eyes shifted to the line already formed down the street and rolled her eyes. There was no way she was spending the day waiting in that line but Ava seemed to have no problem with it. She looked around to see a small bistro with outdoor seating on the corner and shrugged her shoulders.

“Fine, you stay. I’m going to grab a sandwich.”

Ava shrieked again excitedly before Sienna walked off to stand in line at the truck. It would be something to keep her busy while Ava drooled like a love sick puppy in line with other fan girls who didn’t even watch sports. Sienna wasn’t fan by any means either but their brother was so she tried to pay as much attention to them as possible.

Gabriel was younger than both Sienna and Ava, interning for Bill Belichick for his high school internship project. If he had the talent he would have pursued football but he found out from an early age that he wasn’t cut out for it. Instead he settled wanting to be part of the coaching team . She didn’t know how he managed to get this internship. Belichick was strict. Wouldn’t allow any nonsense around during game season so it caught everyone off guard when he accepted the application of this 17 year old kid. Even though he was doing meaningless work, he loved every minute of it. The girls didn’t mind either since they got the occasional private tours and even seats to a few games once regular season started.

Sienna placed her order, waiting patiently to the side for them to make it while she read the rest of the menu. She started walking when someone bumped into her from behind, causing her to drop her food.

“Shit,”

She mumbled under her breath as she leaned over to pick it up. This was the one part she hated about this part of the city. People were carelessly walking around like they owned the place with no regard for their surroundings.

“I’m so sorry,”

A deep voice rang out before kneeling down to help her. Her eyes wandered up from his large hands, to his muscular arm, to the careless scruff on his chiseled face, before being consumed by his apologetic eyes staring down into her own. They were blue, but not just any blue. Bright like cerulean. Like the sky on a hot summer day, glimmering with spots of gold in the sunlight. They were breathtaking – for lack of a better word.

His free hand grabbed her arm, as rough as they looked, he had the most gentle touch helping her up.  He stood tall compared to her slender 5’4 figure. His features were strong and well defined, as if an artist had molded them out himself. His light brown hair only accentuating the contrast in his eye color. It was trimmed short on the sides and long on top but effortlessly swept to the side, out of his face and held in place with product. She could see his muscular build protruding through his clothes. He looked so familiar yet she couldn’t quite place where she knew him from.

“I’m sorry – let me buy you another? I wasn’t looking, I’m so sorry.”

Sienna couldn’t help but smile at his nervous rambling. She bit the corner of her lip, admiring the sound of his voice, all she could do was nod. He ran to the side of the sidewalk to throw away the pieces of the fallen sandwich before returning to her, motioning his arm towards the door.

“I’m Julian by the way.”

“I’m Sienna, you really don’t have to buy me another. It’s fine, really.”

“No, I want too.”

As they walked to the back of the line, she felt his eyes on her, looking up to see him staring. His eyes roamed over her body, admiring her long legs, toned under dark denim skinny jeans. Her waist small, accentuated by the fitted jacket she had on. Her long hair was a honey blonde color, hung in loose waves over her shoulders, Her skin was tan, olive colored, emphasizing her baby blue eyes and her light pink lips. She blushed under his gaze. Never had she been looked at with such curiosity and interest as she was right now.  Her cheeks beet red and he noticed, his eyes returning to hers as he smiled.

“You look really familiar, Sienna.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, like I’ve seen you before. You from around here?”

“Yup. I live a couple of blocks away – I’m sorry, I don’t remember meeting you anywhere.”

They moved up in line, Sienna giving her order to the man behind the window again before they stepped off to the side. She couldn’t help but let her eyes wander along his body again before looking up at him. He thought she looked familiar? It was driving her crazy not being able to pinpoint where she’d seen his face before. He took her sandwich for her, handing it to her as they started walking back towards where she left Ava. His eyes still on her, like nobody else was around them.

“Thank you for this. Really.” She smiled politely, holding it a little tighter in her hands to avoid dropping it again.

“No worries, what do you have going on today?”
“Nothing really, I’m supposed to be shopping with my sister, but she’s waiting in line to get an autograph from the Pats. They’re lined up in front of the Nike store.”

“Not a Pats fan?”

“I’m just not a big sports fan in general, but neither is she. She’s just in it for the looks.”

He laughed heartedly, causing her to laugh as well. It was the sexiest laugh she’d ever heard, wanting more of it when he stopped. Why was she acting like this? Like a crazed teenager. This was something Ava would do. Shaking it from her thoughts, she turned to look at him again, and once again found his eyes solely on hers. Her heart pounding under his gaze. She bit her lip, nervously before they heard someone yelling towards them.

“Edelman!” a hoarse voice called out, Sienna looked around only to see Julian lifting his hand towards the man, before turning his attention back to her.

“Jesus, you’re Julian Edelman?” She asked, surprised but it hit her where she’d seen him. His face was all over posters and advertisements.

“Yeah, hey – I gotta get back, but I want to continue this. Are you doing anything later tonight?”

“I – uhm. Not that I know of.”

“Can I take you out to dinner?”

“I’m sorry,” She shook her head, “I’m seeing someone.”

He hung his head, disappointment clearly visible in his eyes before he looked at her again. “Well here, take down my number, in case you change your mind.”

She nodded, wide eyed at the events unfolding before her. Her body on autopilot as she pulled out her phone, taking down his number, then automatically calling him so her number was in his phone. He smirked as his phone rang, before he heard his name being called again.

“I’ll talk to you later, Sienna.”

“It was nice meeting you, Julian.”
He back peddled to the rest of the team, still facing her with a smile. She watched as he turned around and heard the girls in line going crazy. A blush came over her cheeks while she turned her attention to her phone where she saw a text message with a smiley face from the number she’d just freshly saved. Looking back up she saw his eyes fixated on hers, despite the crowd of women huddled around him. A shiver went down her spine at the intensity of his focus.