by Erin Danzer
* * *
By the end of the day, after being hounded by Gavin all day, Ronnie felt like she needed to find a place to hide, so she escaped to The Reading Corner. She told Andi she would call her after dinner and walked the two blocks instead of turning to go home. The moment she walked in the double doors, she felt the tension leave her shoulders and released a deep breath. This was what she needed. Books were her sanctuary. She hoped Gavin wasn’t a reader.
Ronnie purchased a large mocha latte from the café and then settled into an overstuffed chair near the teen section to read her book. Into the Stars was in her bag and she pulled it out. She was about to open the book when a shadow fell over her. Praying it wasn’t Gavin coming to annoy her again, she looked up… and smiled when she found Rick standing next to her chair. He wore black cargo pants and a dark blue polo shirt today. His golden hair still glinted in the light and he still looked extremely handsome.
“I don’t mean to interrupt since it looks like you’re about to start a very good book,” he teased. “I just wanted to say you missed a very good poetry reading last night. Some semi-famous guy read this spectacular poem about a girl who disappears into the night. I’m very sorry you missed it.”
He moved toward the chair next to hers as he spoke and was seated by the time he finished talking. Ronnie watched him warily, unsure of what to do with him—especially after her day with Gavin. Of course, judging from last night, Rick was charming and interesting, nothing like Gavin. She sighed and settled back into her chair.
“You look like you’ve had a rough day,” he commented. She shrugged one shoulder, unsure if she wanted to get into it. One glance at Rick and the concern on his face had her talking.
“There’s just this guy. He’s in all my classes and he bothers me.”
“Bothers you like he’s interested in you or just to annoy you?”
Ronnie wrinkled her nose. “If he’s interested in me, he has a very juvenile way of showing it. He keeps playing with my hair and he won’t leave me alone. He even tried getting me to admit to the boy I like that I like him.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s such a jerk.”
“Well, you do have very pretty hair and it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s just doing all of those things to get you to notice him. You’re very beautiful.”
Ronnie blushed and sipped her latte, unsure of what to say. She didn’t get complimented often, especially not by older, cuter guys.
“There’s no reason to be embarrassed by what is obviously true,” he added. She was sure her cheeks would turn purple from blushing so much if he kept this up. Not that she wanted him to stop. After Shawn ignored her most of the day, she enjoyed having someone flirt with her.
“So tell me more about this annoying boy. Maybe if I know who he is, I can get rid of him for you,” Rick offered. Ronnie shook her head.
“No, it’s my problem; I doubt you know him anyway. He’s new to the area, and besides, at lunch today he was flirting with my best friend so maybe he’s just using me to get to her,” Ronnie replied and wondered why she defended Gavin. She looked at Rick, noticed the predatory gleam in his teal eyes, and felt like she would be throwing Gavin to the wolves if she said anymore.
“Thank you though,” she added. Rick’s face relaxed into a smile, the gleam diminishing in his eyes.
“Very well, though my offer stands as long as you might need it,” he stated and she nodded. “I’m going to get a drink; can I refresh yours?”
Ronnie shook her head as she held up her mostly full cup. Rick nodded and headed towards the café. Ronnie watched him go and thought she saw something black and wispy wind around his legs as he stepped into the shadows of the café. She blinked, he stepped into the light, and the illusion was gone. Wondering about what she just saw, she watched him order a drink and two scones before returning to her. A smile stretched her lips as he handed her one of the scones. It was blueberry, her favorite, and it was warm.
“Can’t keep your eyes off me, I see,” he teased as she took a bite and heat crept into her cheeks. She thought about telling him what she saw but decided it must have been a trick of the light; surely shadows didn’t twine themselves around legs like a cat.
“You’re just so irresistible,” she replied. He laughed, the hearty sound rolling down her back and giving her goosebumps. She shivered as she smiled at him.
“Why don’t I find a book and we can enjoy each other’s company while we read,” he suggested a moment later. Ronnie nodded. She really wanted to start reading his book and now that she was relaxed, she knew she could enjoy it. While he went in search of something to read, she finished her treat and opened her book.