[ WP ] You declare to the heavens that you will never fall in love . Aphrodite herself took it as a challenge .

`` It's been three years since I made the promise to never fall in love again. Three years since Melissa broke my heart. I uh... drank a lot. I slept a lot. And I thought about her. Sometimes. Well, no. I did that a lot, too.'' I paused, looking at the beautiful woman sipping coffee across the table from me. We were sitting outside, and her pale blond hair was flecked with fresh snowflakes. She looked heavenly. That was the only word for it. She had a delicate, ethereal sort of beauty, as if she did n't quite belong to this world. 
 
 `` It sounds like you really cared for her,'' she said, her voice gentle as a song. `` But please, continue.'' 
 
 I shrugged. `` Not much more to it after we broke up. I practically fell apart. I... well I got into this habit of roaming the streets downtown. I'm not quite sure why. Looking for a purpose, maybe. Sure. Maybe I was looking for company. Someone I might bump into, in a sea of strangers. And that's exactly what happened, I guess. I ran into you. And... here we are. Telling each other our life stories over a cup of coffee.'' 
 
 I spread my hands toward her. She smiled. 
 
 `` Anyways. I had n't spoken to Melissa in three years. I'm doing pretty okay now, well at least I think so. But I can never forget the hurt I felt. Back then. And that's why I promised myself to never fall in love. Ever again.'' I paused, then added, *'' Ever. `` * Driving the point home. 
 
 The woman nodded thoughtfully. She lifted the coffee to her lips and paused. 
 
 `` Your have a tragic story, for sure. But do n't you think it's beautiful in a way? A classic tale of the cycle of love and heartbreak! Just wonderful.'' She laughed, and took a sip. 
 
 `` Is my story amusing to you?'' I asked, lifting an eyebrow. I wanted to be angry at her, but it was hard when she practically looked like an angel. 
 
 `` I'm sorry,'' she said, still laughing. `` But I do n't believe that you've made a promise that you can keep.'' 
 
 `` Hmm.'' I stirred my coffee. `` So what do you know about love then, huh? What makes *you* so optimistic?'' 
 
 `` Sweetheart,'' she sighed. `` I know all about love... because I *am* love. Or rather you could say, the embodiment of love.'' I caught a twinkle in her eye. 
 
 `` You have n't asked me my name yet, you know. Too caught up in that little spiel of yours, I suppose.'' She smiled playfully. 
 
 My cheeks somehow felt hot although it was freezing outside. `` Ah... you're right. I'm sorry, I uh... have n't been on a date in a while. Ah... what was your name?'' 
 
 `` Why, I am Aphrodite, the goddess of love.'' 
 
 `` Aphrodite!'' I laughed. Alright. I could play along. `` Okay, I'll call you Aphrodite. I guess you *really* think of yourself as a love expert, yeah?'' 
 
 `` I do,'' she said, her face completely serious. I could n't tell if she was messing with me or not. `` Which is why I know that you have a chance at love. You're young, handsome, a bit awkward perhaps...'' she teased, `` But charmingly so. You have a *delightfully* complicated love life. Truly, truly fascinating. But! Not a hopeless one. No, not at all.'' 
 
 `` I'm sorry,'' I said, draining the last dregs of my coffee. `` But I've given up on love. Nothing you say will convince me otherwise.'' 
 
 `` Take a chance,'' she said, smiling. `` Come back here, tomorrow. 12:30. And I'll change your mind.'' She winked, and before I could say anything, she was gone. 
 
 I mean, literally gone. No smoke, or flash of light. I checked underneath the table, around the café, outside on the street. Nope. Gone. She had just blinked into nonexistence in front of me, leading me to wonder if she had ever even been real. 
 
 `` Aphrodite, huh?'' I muttered. It was crazy, but I think I actually believed her. 
 
 -- - 
 
 I looked at my watch. 12:40. `` Aphrodite'' was nowhere to be seen. Okay. I decided to go order some coffee. I stood and went inside the café. A swirl of snow followed me through the door. 
 
 `` How's it feel out there?'' The barista behind the counter. I looked up, startled. She was cute: dark, wavy hair and green eyes. Around my age. 
 
 `` Hmm. Beach weather,'' I said lightly. She laughed. It was a nice sound. 
 
 `` Hey, your hot date is n't with you today?'' she asked, leaning over the counter, looking left and right. 
 
 `` She was supposed to-'' I stopped and looked down at my watch. 12:43. Almost fifteen minutes late. `` Yeah, nope. I do n't think she's coming.'' 
 
 `` Aww,'' said the barista, smiling. `` That's too bad. Probably should n't have suggested going to the beach.'' There was a hint of laughter in her eyes. 
 
 `` Wow,'' I said, raising an eyebrow. `` You're a cheeky one.'' She grinned. 
 
 We both jumped as the man behind me loudly cleared his throat. 
 
 `` Oh... sorry, sir.'' He glared at me. `` I'll um... have a latte please,'' I said, turning back to the barista, who actually looked embarrassed. I counted out the money and handed it to her. She took it, scribbled something on my receipt, handed it back to me with the change. 
 
 `` What's this? Your credit card number?'' I said, squinting at the receipt. She rolled her eyes. `` It's my phone number, dummy.'' 
 
 I frowned in mock disappointment. `` Aww, damn it,'' I muttered, just loud enough for her to hear. She laughed. `` Come again!'' she yelled as I walked away. I could n't help but smile as I looked down at the seven numbers scrawled hastily across the paper. I'd have to remember to make fun of her handwriting next time I saw her. 
 
 I looked up and a woman waved at me from outside the window. 
 
 `` Aphrodite!'' I said, as I pushed open the door. I had a million questions in my mind. 
 
 `` Last time... you just disappeared... how did-'' 
 
 `` I told you who I was,'' she said, wrapping her coat more tightly around herself. `` Did you doubt me?'' 
 
 `` Actually yes.'' But I decided to drop the topic. It hurt my head too much to think about. `` Anyways, you're here!'' 
 
 `` Of course I'm here,'' she said, and winked knowingly. `` Never going to fall in love again, huh?'' I turned to the window and caught the barista's eye. She quickly looked away, cheeks flushed. 
 
 `` Oh shut up,'' I grumbled, turning back to Aphrodite. `` It was just a talk. Love doesn't- it does n't just happen like that.'' Then I froze in my tracks. `` Wait a minute... *you* arranged that? *You* made that girl talk to me?'' 
 
 `` I did n't make anything happen, my dear.'' The goddess of love smiled at me. `` I just made sure you were in the right place at the right time. As in... right at the beginning of her shift. Say, did you remember to ask for the girl's name this time?'' 
 
 My heart dropped like a stone. `` Damn it!'' I yelled.
