finding you

six

I turn on my heel and head into a direction. Do I know where I'm going? Nope. I was hoping maybe I could just follow him around, but no. I am in the lead. He is following me.

Why am I making such a big deal out of this?

"What are you looking for?" he asks suddenly, his voice coming from behind me.

Uhh. I don't know? Literally nothing. I asked you so we didn't have to stand in awkward silence for twenty minutes. I give him a shrug and he chuckles, making me feel more anxious than I already am. He is making fun of me.

I feel him approach closer and closer, making my heart beat out of rhythm. I turn down a random isle that seems to be full of different kinds of light fixtures, chandeliers, etc. I stop at a rather unique looking chandelier and pretend to be infatuated with it. In reality, my mind can not be further away from what I think about the weird light fixture. I can't stop thinking that only a couple of feet behind me, is Rhys freaking Collins.

"Hate it," he says from behind me--except it's more like above me because he's so tall—and it makes me jump. I turn to meet his gaze. He is smirking at me, obviously laughing at my discomfort. "Too corky."

I smile and scrunch my nose at him. "Corky?"

He laughs and points at the strange bright blue wire covered in rhinestones hanging down from the chandelier. "Yeah, like what is that?"

He has a point. It is rather strange looking. I like strange but there is definitely better-looking things out there.

"It's not that bad," I challenge, smiling up at him. "But I might not want it hanging up in my room."

"Yeah? Which chandelier in this row would I find hanging up in your room?"

My stomach flutters at the thought of him being in my room. I hope he doesn't notice my cheeks turning red. I start my way down the isle, looking at each passing chandelier with a look of great fascination. I hear a low rumble behind me, and it takes me a moment to figure out that it's Rhys laughing. I shoot him a glare and pretend to narrow my eyes, making him laugh harder. I keep looking until my eyes land on a beautiful, plain white chandelier that has lightly distressed texture. It looks old and rustic, which I love. It's a very old style--something you definitely wouldn't find in usual depot stores--but small towns are sometimes special that way: rare gems are often found in forgotten places. I smile and point to the fixture. "I like the old look. Like antique stuff."

He studies me for a moment, slightly putting me on edge. Turning back to the light fixture then back to me, he smiles bigger than he has all morning. "Leave it to you to choose the ugliest chandelier in the whole store."

I gape at him. Without even realizing what I'm doing, I step forward to take a swing at his shoulder. Obviously seeing what I'm about to do, he grabs my arm, holding it in place as I try to push into him. A low rumble of laughter erupts from his chest. I gave him an adorable, scowling look and he lifts his hands in surrender, letting go of my arm. I let my fist playfully fall through onto his shoulder and smile in delight at his wince. He clearly is making fun, though. There was no way in hell I would be able to make the slightest dent in that armour he calls muscle.

Suddenly feeling awkward at our playful moment, I turn away to make my way back to the paint stand. "Paint is probably done." I start walking back. Soon I hear his footsteps from behind me, but he doesn't get any closer.

*

"The new house is really nice."

"Shh! Don't say anything. I need silence right now."