Chapter 2
Scarlett
I stop at the locals’ café on the corner where I know I can count on amazing food and coffee with amiable service.
I pass by my favorite outdoor table fit for two while walking towards the entrance.
The café is in Lakebrook’s “downtown” which is only a couple blocks, but it’s familiar and quaint.
Everything here is how it’s always been with one-way streets lined with restaurants, shops, idyllic streetlamps, and maple trees.
After ordering my usual vanilla latte, I settle into a chair outside at my table. I scoot over to be in the sunlight, letting it recharge me after this morning’s events. My eyes close as I appreciate the warmth on my skin.
The vibration and ringing from my phone makes me jump in place and eyes open. I answer, forgetting to look at who’s calling. “Scarlett Daniels.”
“Hey, Scar!” Jason greets. “Brace yourself. I know you like to have a steady plan, but your first appointment canceled. You won’t have to be in until noon.”
Jason and I have known each other since high school and have been working together for a couple years. We met freshman year in gym class, clicking instantly. Picture a slim, athletic guy with dark brown eyes and short, black hair.
“Alright. Thanks for calling, Jay. Appreciate it. ”
“You going to come in early for a workout?”
“Maybe. My plan today isn’t going how I thought it would.”
“Uh-oh, it’s never good when your plan gets messed up. Will I need to prepare for Armageddon? Maybe I should cancel your other appointments.” He mumbles the last sentence.
“Hey! I’m not that bad!”
“Babe, I love you, but you become a nightmare when your day gets messy.” Jason calls everyone babe. We’ve never dated. He announced he was gay sophomore year of high school.
“Not today. I can go with the flow. Call me a river.”
He responds with laughter.
“It’s not funny!”
“Whatever you say.” The laughing continues.
“I’ll see you later.”
“Yeah,” he chuckles. “See you soon.”
I clench my teeth as I push the end button with force.
Now I have an hour to burn. Maybe Jason is right and I should go back to my bed.
No! I’m not letting today’s odd events deter me from making it a great day.
There’s a used bookstore I haven’t been to in a while.
I’ll pop in there. Relaxing with a nice romance novel is always a great way to take my mind off things.
I finish half of my latte and then start meandering down to the bookstore.
It’s not too far from the café, which is convenient.
A women’s clothing boutique, an outdoor store selling anything you need for a hike or backpacking trip, and an ice cream shop are all on my right.
I notice a “for lease” sign across the street in the window of an office building.
It’s rare for something to become available on this block.
The gym I work at is in walking distance of this area, just one street down.
I think it’s why we’ve always stayed afloat.
I walk into the bookstore, greeted by rows and rows of books. Along with stacks and stacks of books. An old, musty smell only books seem to deliver saturates through my nose. Every now and then you’ll run into a comfortable high-back chair.
I peruse through the shelves towards the back of the store, getting lost in my own world for a while. Then a deep voice catches my attention towards the checkout stand in the front.
“Excuse me, ma’am? Do you have any books on the history of the city?” the same hot dingus from this morning asks the desk clerk.
I’m so surprised by how sweet he sounds, my mouth gapes open while I stop and stare. He has a faint accent I didn’t notice this morning, but “ma’am” and “fixing” tells me he isn’t from here.
The clerk doesn’t seem to mind as she starts flirting with him, leaning over the desk, and pushing her boobs together. “Oh, I can definitely help you find what you’re looking for. Just follow me.” She smiles with seductive eyes.
Her hips sway as she leaves from behind the desk.
One of the sides of his mouth turns up in a grin, watching her walk away. “I’d be glad to have some help.”
A vision of throwing a book at the back of his head makes me snicker. I watch them move to the opposite side of the store, while I stay behind the book dividers wondering how his attitude can go from horrible to sweet in a couple hours.
I try to stay engrossed on the book spines in front of me, but I can’t concentrate on any of the titles. Two voices carry over with heinous amounts of flirting, breaking my attention.
“It’s a bookstore, not a bar,” I yell.
My eyes widen and I bite my lower lip. I can’t believe I just said that. I need to get out of here. I sneak out the back exit before he “runs” into me again.
My shoulders are up to my ears while my fists clench on my walk to the gym. I’ve always liked my small town. Running into someone I know is usually a nice part about living here, but if I see that man again, I’m moving.