Grim Echoes

Chapter 77 - Maeve

"Were you waiting for me?" she moved the books in her arms.

He shook his head with a small tilt to his lips that suggested a grin. She moved the books again and ran her teeth across her bottom lip and wondered if he'd seen her acting weird with her eyes closed.

"Would you like me to hold those?" he gestured to the books.

"No. I have to put some back, anyway." Blood rushed to her face. She went to the nearest shelf and displayed the books in front of her so she could see their covers.

"Journals?"

She nodded as her fingers slid over the covers. Taking her time, she opened them and tested the weight and strength of the paper and binding. Had to be leather, and they needed to last.

"You read cozy mysteries?" The amusement in his tone was unmistakable.

"No, that's for Mason. It's the same author she was reading, but it just came out this week," Maeve pulled a section of her hair and twirled it around her fingers and debated on which journal was best. She sensed Ander studying her, but stayed on task. "This one." She picked up the dark brown leather journal. It had the best binding, paper and overall durability.

She grabbed Mason's book and the other three random books she'd picked up in the new age section to put them in their proper places. Ander followed silently and browsed the new age books, close but not smothering her. Amused, he feigned interest in books that weren't likely accurate. "Goddesses, I didn't realize you were interested in those," she teased as she shelved the books.

Ander looked away sheepishly and shrugged. He put it back on the shelf.

"I wasn't judging you. If you want it, you should get it." she tried not to smile but couldn't help herself.

He picked the book back up and in a blur of motion now also held her books as well. Winking at her, he started toward the front of the store.

"How did you? I mean," she began flabbergasted, no idea how he'd been that fast. Aware of his training and preference for melee weapons, but she hadn't seen him move that fast in a non-combat situation. On second thought, she hadn't seen him move that fast in combat. Distracted, she almost forgot to grab the other two identical journals before they were at the register.

"I need those back to pay," she said when she realized they were next in line.

"I can not allow that. We removed all your cards. Too easy to track. Cash only for the moment." his grin changed into a smile.

When he smiled, it changed the angular features of his face to a softer visage. Maeve's stomach fluttered. He really had a nice smile. She opened her mouth to debate him, but they were called to the register. Sulking on the way to the SUV, she hated when people paid for things. Made her dependent.

"Are you upset with me?" he turned the engine on. The cold air conditioning blasted them, which was pleasant after the balmy outside. He pushed up his flannel sleeves. His scars showed again.

Compelled to touch him and trace the various unusual markings, she turned away. "No, I just," she sighed. "I've been paying for my own things for close to ten years now, its just weird," her eyes flicked back to him.

He nodded but didn't reply. It wasn't his fault she had no independence anymore.

"Aren't you hot?" she gestured to his flannel.

He became still and turned to the windshield. "I am not effected by the heat as much as most humans," his tone was flat.

Her intuition nudged her to press more. "I understand why you wear long sleeves when we're out but when its just us," she stopped when he faced her. Her heart beat sped up, made her lightheaded. "I just mean, I like you the way you are." the words tumbled out of her. Frustrated with her delivery, it'd sounded so much better in her head.