Page 15 of The Things That Hold Us

Cassie giggles, and leans in, ‘Um, Char, what are you doing?”

I nod my head in the direction of the counter, trying to be discreet about it, and finally, she sits up and looks.

Cassie looks at me and mouths ‘OH.’

“You should go say hi.” she whispers.

“Absolutely not. I feel bad enough that I can't remember his name, especially after we had that moment.” I whisper right back. I gotta get out of here.

He's turned in the opposite direction, so I slowly grab my things, tell Cassie I have to go, then slip out of my chair quietly.

I’malmostto the door when I hear in a deep, deep voice, “Charlie?”

I halt, cursing myself for not moving faster. I put a probably awkward smile on my face, and turn.

“Oh my gosh, hi.” I say in a weirdly high pitched voice. I hear Cassie laugh at me, but ignore it.

“What brings you in here?” I ask him.

He holds his drink up, “Coffee. This is a coffee shop.” he chuckles. And I hate my body for reacting to the sound.

“Right. Of course, sorry. Dumb question." I smack my forehead, and instantly feel stupid.

What. Is. Happening.

He laughs again, “No, not dumb. No question is a dumb question.” His eyes lock on mine, and I’m frozen in place. Again. What is it with his eyes? Are they like, magical, or something?

“Right. Sorry, I was just leaving, but it was so good seeing you again." I tell him, and try to dip out.

“Perfect, so was I. Care if I walk with you?”

I shake my head, probably way too fast, and say, “No, that would be lovely.”

That would be lovely?

His smile grows, and his cheeks dimple in. Fuck me.

“Lovely.” he repeats, then holds the door for me. “Ladies first.”

I nod a thanks, then turn and shoot Cassie a look. She just smiles and mouths ‘Be nice!’

We walk in silence for a minute, and the awkwardness is killing me. I clear my throat, and turn to look at him.

“So, uh, what did you get?” I ask.

“Hm? Oh, my drink. Just a black coffee.”

I cringe. “How can you drink that? Does it not gross you out?”

He laughs, “Not so much anymore. It took a few months to really get used to it, but after a while it became all I could tolerate when it came to coffee.”

“But why make yourself have to ‘tolerate’ coffee? Don't you want to enjoy it?”

“When you're in the military, you don't get all that sweet stuff to add in. It’s the blackest of black coffee, or nothing. And I’m not too pleasant without my morning cup.”

“Oh. I’m sorry, I didn't know.”

He waves a hand, “No you're fine.”

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