Where She Found Herself.

Chapter 2

After a tearful goodbye with Momma at the Baltimore airport Ma and Pa surprise me by taking me to the local book store when we get back to town. Ma said she realized I hadn't brought many of my books with me and just knew that wouldn't do. She knows me so well.

"Pick out a couple to tide you over for a little while and we'll come back when you need more." Pa says as we walk in. It's beautiful in here. Ok, really it's your standard small town bookstore, but I haven't been in a brick and mortar bookstore in so long that I'm tempted to spin around in a circle like Belle when she sees the library for the first time.

For the first time though, I am at a disadvantage, I don't have any idea what kind of book I want. The last year has been so full of work, college, and keeping up the charade of being whoever I thought I was supposed to be that I hadn't even had a moment to think of what books I wanted to read lately. So I start simple and make my way down the mystery aisle running in my fingertips over the spines as I go. My eyes are glued to the spines sticking out waiting for something to jump out at me. Maybe they'll have something by Agatha Christie.

I'm so lost in my wondering that I barely notice a shadow looming over me until I run smack into it. Wait? Are shadows supposed to be warm? And firm? My eyes slowly flit upward.

"Um hi, can I help you find anything in particular?" The shadow chuckles smoothly. Ok, it's not a shadow. It's a guy. Great, add "plow into random stranger" to my list of embarrassing life moments. His bright smile doesn't help things either.

"Oh um... I was just... browsing" I stammer out grabbing the first book my hand touches. I try to look interested in reading the blue cover but I can't concentrate. I'm so flustered. God Beth, what is wrong with you? You're so stupid you can't even see an entire human? I mumble an apology and try to back away. He reaches out to towards my arm and I jerk back quickly knocking myself off balance. This time when he reaches out he catches me by the shoulders as I start to tip over my own feet. I cover my face with the book and let out a squeak.

"It's ok," he says quickly pulling his hands off my shoulders and stepping back "I just wanted to make sure you didn't fall. Are you alright?"

I realize I'm still holding the book over my face and move it down slowly. I make eye contact with him as I slide it down and cradle it to my chest.

"I'm s-sorry. You just scared me. Tha-thank you for catching me." I can't maintain eye contact. I kept darting my eyes around to make sure no one saw us. To make sure no one saw me talking to a random guy.

"Hey, no big deal! Happens to everyone." His smile widens as he holds out his hand to me "My name is Declan, are you sure you don't need any help?"

"Beth" I whisper as I make myself shake his hand. Don't be silly Beth, you're allowed to shake his hand, "I'm really just looking for whatever catches my eye." As the words come out I finally let myself really look at him... he's caught my eye.

He's taller than I like, at least 6 foot, but his light brown hair has a shaggy wave to it that gives him a slight slacker vibe. His jade green eyes are framed by long lashes and black square glasses. The sleeves are rolled up on the white button down he's wearing under his green uniform apron. I can see the veins in his toned forearms. That smile is what catches my eye though. Soft full lips separated over a pearly white set of charmingly crooked teeth.

I tear my eyes away from him. Heat flushes up in my cheeks that I hope he can't see. I haven't been this close to, much less touched, a guy besides my ex-boyfriend in years. I still can't shake the feeling that I shouldn't be seen with him.

"I have to go..." I set the book back on the shelf without even looking at the title and speed walked two aisles over into the Young Adult section. The black and red of the Twilight covers jumps out at me. Ugh, I'll read anything but THAT again. Maybe a YA novel wouldn't be so bad, they are easy reading that I can get lost in. But ugh, they have so much romance drama in them. My skin crawls in the thought of purposefully getting lost in that world. No thank you.