Chapter Six #2
I’d looked at his photo more times than I could count over the past few months, but it seemed like such a poor approximation of the man in front of me.
I wanted to stare at him for hours and try to memorise every detail of his face because I knew any picture I took would never quite do it justice.
My stomach twisted, and I was suddenly very aware of every pounding beat of my heart. It was almost unsettling.
Then Anders turned and saw me, his lips twitching into a smile, and my awareness of everything else fell away.
“Hey,” I said, walking up to him and trying to pretend I felt completely normal. “Sorry for keeping you waiting.”
“It’s fine. I was early anyway.” He looked up at me. I hadn’t realised how blue his eyes were before. “Where do you want to go?”
“I don’t mind. I don’t really know anywhere around here, so what do you recommend? It would be good if it had snacks since I haven’t eaten much today.”
He thought for a moment like he was weighing up options, then looked at his watch. “I know a good little coffee shop not too far away. They do nice cake and things. We could go there for a bit. It might be a bit early for the bar here.”
“That sounds perfect! Cake is always a good option, and don’t worry, I’ll leave some room for dinner,” I said, giving him a beaming smile.
Cake did sound good, and I was excited about the prospect of getting to have a wander around the town for a bit since I wasn’t sure how much time I’d have in the morning.
Depending on how tonight went, I might want to leave as soon as possible.
“Let’s go then.” Anders stood, and I followed him out onto the street, pulling my coat around me against the chill. Anders saw and chuckled. “You get used to the weather here.”
“Is it bad?”
“No, not really. Just coastal. Gets a bit wet and windy in the spring and autumn. Can get a bit stormy too. But the summer is always nice,” he said as he walked beside me and steered me towards what looked like the main cluster of shops and restaurants.
We walked a little way along the road with the beach on our right, which looked like it was accessed by ramps or steps at specific points.
Anders noticed me slowing to peer at some of the places we passed, and he stopped and waited for me to catch up.
I smiled at him, grateful for his patience.
He led me down a side street and then another, then up a gently sloping cobbled road that wound its way past all the sorts of places I’d hoped there’d be—tiny shops of all varieties, cosy cafés and tiny restaurants, and food emporiums, including an artisan fudge shop that was wafting out all sorts of delicious, sugary smells into the street.
My stomach rumbled again, much louder this time.
Anders looked at me, and my face flamed as I realised he’d heard it.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “It’s just up here. I won’t let your stomach eat you.”
“I’d be very sad if you did.” I followed him up the narrow street, pushing down the temptation to reach out and take his hand in mine.
Anders stopped in front of a window, and I nearly bumped into him. “Here we go,” he said as he reached for the door, and I heard a bell jangle. I glanced up at the sign and smiled before I ducked inside Novel Tea: Book Café.
It wasn’t too busy inside with a small group of older ladies clustered around a table in the corner, a couple of individuals working away on laptops, and a few pairs of people chatting at café tables.
The shop was bigger than I’d anticipated but deliciously cosy and warm.
There were bookcases on one wall with little signs telling people to help themselves while they were visiting and another asking for donations while abstract film-style posters of book covers were dotted across the walls.
The chairs clustered around the tables were an odd mix of styles, but I’d already spotted a high-backed, leather armchair in a corner I wanted to sink into.
Nearest to us was a long wooden counter with a display case and huge blackboards mounted on the wall behind it with the drinks menu printed across it in neat, bold lettering.
I’d only been there for a minute, but I already felt at home.
A tall, handsome man with what could only be described as chiselled good looks stood behind the counter in a tight, black t-shirt that looked painted onto his broad chest and well-muscled shoulders.
He definitely wasn’t the sort of person I expected to see working there.
When he caught sight of Anders, he grinned and threw up a hand in greeting.
“Hey, Anders! Long time, no see. Here to do some writing?”
“Not today,” Anders said, taking me over to the counter. “Just here for a drink and some cake.” He glanced at me. “Bastian’s here visiting.”
“Awesome,” the man said, looking down at me with a Hollywood smile. “I’m Spencer. Welcome to Novel Tea. What can I get you?”
I looked up at the menu and the array of delicious-looking drinks before choosing a hot chocolate with all the trimmings and a piece of carrot cake, which had always been my favourite.
Anders ordered a coffee, and Spencer promised to bring them over, so we headed off to find a table.
Anders let me choose, and I went straight for the armchair I’d been eyeing earlier and sank into its squishy embrace.
“Comfortable?” Anders asked as he sat down opposite me in a plush-looking dark velvet chair.
“Very. I might never leave.” I grinned. There was a moment’s pause, and I realised since Anders and I had only had one real-life conversation, there was a very good chance this whole evening was going to be awkward as fuck on multiple levels.
“How was the castle?”
“It was good,” I said, sitting up in my seat as Spencer brought over a tray with a towering hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, sprinkles, and a wafer.
It also had marshmallows in somewhere. Luckily Spencer had provided me with a spoon, but I wasn’t sure I was going to need dinner later at this rate.
I pulled the wafer out of the cream and nibbled at it.
“Someone showed me around the house and the gardens and talked me through their licensing agreement and what sort of shoots they usually agree to. I’m not sure if they’ll let me shoot there yet or if I’d just be allowed to wander the grounds with a camera and a cosplayer—as long as we didn’t get the house in shot—but I’ll wait and see.
I have to send them an email when I get back with everything I’d want, but it’s definitely going to be more expensive than some of the other shoots I’ve done. ”
“How much do you usually pay for a location?”
“Depends.” I smiled and picked up the spoon to scoop up some of the cream. “If we really want to do an outdoor shoot, I’ll often just drag them to Derbyshire because Lizzie doesn’t mind me using the estate for photos, and all that costs me is staying for dinner and giving my nephew a cuddle.”
“I’m sorry. I feel like I’ve dragged you out on a wild goose chase,” Anders said, sipping his coffee, and I winced.
“No! It’s good to see what else is out there, and honestly, if we can’t use the castle, I’m pretty sure there are a ton of other places around here I’d love to explore.”
“That’s good then.”
“Besides,” I said slowly as my heart raced, “it’s not a wild goose chase if I get to see you again.”