Never the Right Time

Chapter 43 Mark's POV

A few months ago, Mom sent me a town and country magazine list of cutest small towns in California and I was slowly making my way through them. Most were crazy expensive, so i didn't ever stay more than a couple of weeks. I had finally hit the most southern one. It sat on the beach with a bustling Main Street. It was impossible not to immediately fall in love. It had a bit of that old hippie charm, while still being friendly to tourists. I had spent a bit of the morning at the beach and then changed and walked around downtown. After getting some lunch, I found a what I thought was a bookshop, but quickly found out it was also a bar. It was set up for people to relax and read with their drink. It was cozy and I instantly knew it would be my new spot for however long I was here.

I walked around curious as to their book selection when I noticed a girl reading at one of the tables wearing an Amherst sweatshirt. Her brown hair covered her face as she read, wondering if she went there I couldn't help but walk up to her.

"It's rare to see an Amherst sweatshirt in this part of the country. Did you go there?" I asked shooting my shot

She looked up from her book and my heart immediately leaped into my throat.

"M-Mark?" She slowly whispered as she stood up.

"Soph!" I all but gasped out, "I can't believe its you."

I couldn't help but self and immediately wrapped my arms around her. The girl of my literal dreams was in my arms. I pulled back just to double check that I wasn't dreaming. I could see confusion and questions swirling around her eyes. Her hair was shorter than it had been. She had golden tan skin and almost looked too thin. It was clear she spent a decent amount of time working out. I couldn't help but stare as I tried to memorize her face.

"I can't believe its you either." She all but whispered before taking a deep breathe as if to stabilize herself " I currently have a million questions for you. I want to hear everything that's going on with you. Have you gotten a drink yet? Do you want one?" She started to rambling. And before I was able to answer anything. She pulled me to the bar where a guy in his sixties was wiping down the counter. "Nick! this is one of my best friends from back in college, Mark. Mark, this is my co-worker and adopted grandpa, Nick." She all but yelled at us .

"Hi nice to meet you" I said to him as I shook his hand before turning back to Soph "You work here? This place is amazing!"

"Uhhhh I actually own it. I moved out here a little over a year ago. It's been the best thing I've done."

I was immediately flabbergasted. I knew she had loved reading, but now that I see what she had created I instantly knew it fit her perfectly.

"That's amazing! I seriously want to hear all about it. I'm in town for as long as I want, Do you want to meet up for dinner or something?" I asked taking my chance before she could slip through my fingers again.

"Yes, of course! There is a great spot down the street. The chef is amazing! Want to meet up around 6:30. It usually slows down and we will be able to close up early."

"Sounds great! Whatever works for you. I was planning on posting up here to work. So I'll just hang out until you're done." I gave her another quick hug before I set up at a table and started to work.

It was incredibly difficult to work when the girl that I had to give up was standing just across the room. She was as beautiful as I remember. She looked happy and I loved that I was able to see her in her element at the shop. She loved showing customers new books and chatting with the locals. At one point I caught a bit of her getting a pep talk from Nick. I assumed it had something to do with me, but I didn't try to eavesdrop.

I internally scolded myself for slacking today while also giving myself a pep talk for dinner tonight. I just could only hope that she was single and that maybe she would be interested in giving us another shot. I had to chase that thought out of my head because I knew I was getting ahead of myself. I turned up the music on my headphones and tried as hard as I could to work and ignore heart palpitations that was occurring in my chest at the moment.

I had gotten so much in a groove that I hadn't realized what time it was before Sophia startled mewhen she sat down at my table.

"Is it time already?" I asked looking down at my watch

"Yup! We are ready whenever you are." She said

'We'? I thought to myself before looking back at her noticing a large black lab sitting next to her.

"Oh hey puppers! You coming too?" He looked at me with a crazy lopsided face before bounding over to my side of the table to get scratches.

"I hope you don't mind. He is my shadow." She said hesitantly

"Of course I don't mind" I reassured her and started to put my computer away, "all ready!" And without thinking I held out my hand to her. I could see her question it for a second before putting her hand in mine and letting me pull her out of her chair. It felt electric with her hand in mine that there was no way I was going to let it go. Holding her hand, we walked out of the shop together. I couldn't help but look her way and softly laugh at the slightly dazed look on her face. Fingers crossed she was feeling what I felt in this exact moment. Pure happiness just to be holding this girl's hand.