The conversation lulled as they studied the selection of children’s books. They didn’t touch, but Charlotte's skin prickled from his proximity. She breathed in his scent every time he leaned in to see what book she selected. By the time they decidedon a few, her stomach was twisted in knots, and her nerves sang with awareness.
He stacked their selections on his arm and tucked them to his side. “I have something for the kids. Now I need something for me. This way.”
His free hand lightly grasped her elbow, and Charlotte felt a tingle shoot up her arm, causing her heart to quicken. His thumb lightly massaged a circle on her arm as he led her to the mystery section, and his touch was potent through the fabric of her shirt. He told her the type of novel he was looking for, oblivious to how his touch was messing with her equilibrium.
She wasn't sure how she managed to suggest one or two without sounding like a fool, but he listened as if the recommendations came from a book critic instead of someone who barely had time to read.
Once he decided what to buy, he glanced at her expectantly. “See anything you want?”
Charlotte shook her head. “I told you I don’t read very much.”
“Okay then. I think I have all I want for now. Why don’t we sit and talk for a bit? I love the vibe in this place.”
Ben set his stack of books on a table in a quiet seating area by a window. On either side of the table were high back chairs with dark blue upholstery and polished wood frames curving elegantly along the back, the arms, and the legs of the chairs. The window was framed with billowy curtains and offered a view of the lot at the back of the store. Charlotte expected to see nothing but an alley through the glass, but the space had been repurposed into a lovely garden with planters of various sizes having the type of greenery which survived cooler temperatures.
The space was cozy — and far too intimate for Charlotte’s comfort.
“I really should be going.” She started backing away, but Ben stopped her with a light touch to her arm.
“Can’t you stay for a few more minutes? Please? Do you want a water or one of the desserts Tabitha showed us?”
She opened her mouth to insist she needed to go. But the earnestness on his face stopped her. She found herself agreeing to stay, and he walked over to the counter to pay for his books and to purchase them a snack. Tabitha was quick to appear from the back to help him, the musical sounds of a cartoon filtering from the back room.
Charlotte sat stoically as she watched Ben and Tabitha make small talk.
Why did this man leave her in such a confused mess? One minute, she wanted to keep her distance from him. The next, she felt drawn to him. The connection touched a part of her she kept closed off for reasons she could never share with him.
Allowing herself to become too attached to someone made her vulnerable. But the way Ben watched her, spoke to her, touched her…she felt safe. She felt exhilarated. She felt like she could forget the role she was supposed to play and step into one she always wanted to live.
Ben returned with a pleased expression as he placed their refreshments on the table between their chairs. He took the seat to her right, appearing more comfortable than she felt. He motioned for her to take a bite of her brownie while he sipped his water.
"You said you’re not a reader. What do you do for fun or to relax?”
An answer was on the tip of her tongue, but she wouldn’t voice it. It was part of the life she left behind, a life she couldn’t share with him without risking everything.
“I don’t have any hobbies. My life is kind of boring.”
She focused on her hands where they rested on her lap, hoping he wouldn’t sense her white lie.
“I don’t think you could be boring if you tried.”
A nervous laugh escaped her throat. “You barely know me. You’re hardly in a position to know if I’m boring or not.”
“I want to know you.”
His admission brought her head up. “Why?”
“Damn if I know.”
She smirked, her walls crumbling. She needed something about this man to be wrong, so she could find it easier to stay away from him.
“Tell me something first,” she said. “Your brothers are all married. Two of them have kids. So why have you stayed unattached?”
“I could say it’s because I haven’t met the right woman yet.”
Charlotte shook her head. “And you would be lying.”
Ben chuckled. “True. Honestly, I don’t know if I want to be married. I feel like there’s a lot about my life that would probably have to change if I met someone, and I like my life. What about you? Why haven’t you settled down?”
