(Reconstructing)Sharing A Damaged Memory

Chapter 2-More like 'Hag n' Hirsute'.

A/N: Everyone who had read the original version of this chapter would know that it has been completely changed. No regrets, though.

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It took a fifteen-minute walk for us to reach town. Even Wes had joined us in the last minute. As we pushed open the door of 'Cake n' Candy' and walked in, we were greeted very warmly.

"Oh, come in, Ms. Phillips. You are free to entertain yourself with not only the best coffee and cupcakes in town but also pick up and take away chocolate cakes- that do not belong to you. And make me lose customers." Spoke Mrs. Terrence, the owner of the café who was currently beyond furious with me.

She was a plump, tan woman with a hideous dressing sense. She looked like she would snatch my eyeballs out of their sockets and display them like her many ridiculously colored cupcakes.

"Dogs are not allowed inside the café", her tone changed. "Even you wouldn't be if I didn't know your mother for the longest time." she added and left to go inside.

I darted a sideways glance to Wes, who was holding a hand over his mouth trying very hard not to burst out.

"I don't think she likes that much. I wonder why?" He said after sometime innocently.

"She's unbelievable." I exclaimed.

"I think what she meant was that you are banned from 'Cake n' Candy." Wes made a show of working it out.

"More like Hag n' Hirsute." I laughed.

He joined in a moment later.

"It was just a cake. She's blowing it waaay out of proportion. It's not like I did that purposely."

"It's not?" he asked raising an eye-brow.

I just ignored that and went to examine the cupcakes.

"Excuse me but did you do that purposely?" came a new voice, slightly husky, definitely sexy and accented.

I turned to look at the source. It was coming from a table occupied by kids who looked around my age, if not older. The guy was sitting up a little, looking from Wes to me and back at Wes. And he was good-looking. Like really good-looking. He had a lean swimmer's body, slightly fluffed up auburn hair, Cleopatra's nose and a strong jaw line. Not even the scowl etched on his face could mar anything. If anything, it made him look sexier- he was that good-looking.

I peeked at Wes and he shrugged his shoulder in response. We were clueless as to what was happening.

"And you are?" enquired Wes.

"The guy whose cake was denied to him." He replied.

I think he said 'cake' but it could also be 'right'-I wouldn't know. At least his narrowed hurt eyes and frown supported my theory that we had done some grave unforgivable injustice.

"So she was lying when she said she lost customers? And about your concern talk to her, not me." Said Wes pointing at me and then turned away.

And I present to the world.... Cousin of the Year: Wes Harper.

"Um, hey." I said raising my palm looking at the guy.

"Can you explain?" he asked me his frown deepening. And was he gritting his teeth now?

"I can. Just give me a moment, I need to..." I looked at Wes for support but he was examining the wall so conscientiously, just taking in all the details, that I knew he wasn't going to be as helpful as he had been while finishing off the cake with me. I cleared my throat and racked my brains to come up with something, "I...I have to go uhm, leash the dog first because you know how 'dogs are not allowed inside the café'?" I completed, repeating Mrs. Terrence's line.