Chasing Sapphire

9. BOOKS

"I just wanted to buy some books." I whispered and then stepped towards a shelf where all the novels of Nicholas Spark were arranged from the oldest to the newest.

"Another Notebook lover?" I felt his presence behind me as he extended his arm out from my side and pulled 'The Notebook' from the shelf. "Or A Walk to Remember?"

"I am more of a Stephen King kind of girl." I said with a sly grin and picked up 'The shining' book from the shelf.

"Good choice."

"How much for it?" I questioned, grazing my thumb over its cover.

"Keep it." he said and walked back to the counter.

"How can I keep it without paying for it?" I said in a defensive tone and frowned.

He dealt with a customer and then turned his attention back to me once the customer left. "You are a guest in this town. Consider it a gift from all the Ravens of Raven Hills," he said and my gaze switched between the book and his face.

"But---"

"Just take it, Sapphire. The value of a book lies in its readers, not in some dollar bills. So if you really want to pay me back, give it to another reader after you finish it." he said in his deep voice and it silenced me. His dedication for the books made him much more attractive in my eyes.

"I'll keep it in my mind but for now, can I pay you back with a cup of coffee?" I asked, trying my best not to show any hesitation and he narrowed his eyes in response.

"Um... Well..."

"Don't worry, this is not a date." I chuckled and he stared at me with dumbfounded expressions on his face. "There is a coffee shop close to your book store and I was just planning on going there to read." I informed and his features visibly calmed.

"Sure, let me lock the store first." he said and we both stepped out from the shop.

While he locked the door, I looked around and observed my surrounding. While doing so, I felt a pair of eyes staring at my back. Paranoia filled my mind and I immediately turned around to check, but found nothing unusual.

"Come on," Connor said and walked forwards. Jerking those thoughts away, I walked beside him as we both marched towards the coffee shop which was just few steps away.

The tantalising aroma of fresh coffee beans filled my nostrils and my mouth watered in anticipation.

Connor stepped inside first and when I was about to step inside, I turned to look behind me once again and this time, I noticed a car parked there. It was the same car from which Atticus West had stepped out that day and I remembered this because I had mentally fawned upon that car.

"Are you coming?" Connor's voice broke my focus, forcing me to look at him.

"Yeah. Actually, I was looking at that car and---" Once I turned to give it another look, it was vanished.

"There was a car beside that board." I whispered, still staring at the empty space where a car was parked just seconds ago.

"Whose car?" he asked.

"Um... There was..." All the times when Roman called me paranoid and mentally unstable flashed in my mind and I stopped mid sentence. "Nothing important."

Saying this, I followed him inside the cozy coffee shop. While we waited for the coffee, we both talked about about different aspects of our lives. Even though talking to him helped in distracting me, a part of my mind was stuck on that car. Was he following me? Did I just imagine seeing that car?

"So what brought you here?" He asked, sipping his coffee.

"I thought you'd know by now." I said. "It is a small town. People talk."

"Uh... Actually, I do know. I was just trying to prolong our conversation." He said nervously and I smiled at this.

"Did you know my aunt?" I asked.

"I had seen her at Bella's a couple of times but other than that, no." He said.

"Oh." I said.

"I'm sorry you had to return in such circumstances." He whispered.

"It's okay. We weren't on talking terms anyway." I shrugged. "Besides, I'm happy I came. It feels like this town was calling me my whole life. Weird, right?"

"No, I get it. I got a job offer from Arizona. Everything was in motion but I couldn't leave. It felt like a part of me was here." He replied.

"Hmm." I nodded in understanding. "Forget about the past. Tell me, what are you doing this Saturday?"

"Why? Are you going to ask me on a date?" He said and my cheeks flushed up.

"I am not." I said in an embarrassed high-pitched voice and he smiled in return. "Never mind."

"I'm sorry I was kidding. Please continue what you were saying." He raised his hands in defense.

"I was going to ask you if you'd go to museum with me. I've heard this is an art gala this weekend." I said.

"Sure, I'd love to." He smiled and I internally swooned at his smile.

"Great." I said. "I should go back now. It's late."

"Goodbye. Take care." He said and walked me to my car.

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