Escape

Chapter Thirteen

"So, what's for lunch?" He asks as he follows me inside.

"Oh, I, uh, just stopped at the diner and grabbed a few things." I shrug. I look around and realize there not really a spot to eat. I look over at him and watch him place his hands into his jean pockets.

"I don't really have a spot down here to eat beside a table in the stock room, but it's pretty rough back there." He laughs, "And I put the table away already." He smiles as he sees me look towards the area where we had dinner just last night, even though that night feels like it was weeks ago.

"Oh, I mean that's okay." My cheeks flush. "I'll just leave it here and be on my way." Yup, this was a stupid idea. I place the food on the counter and turn to leave.

"Payton, wait," He stops me and lets out a small laugh. "I just mean, there's nowhere down here. If you don't mind going upstairs, there's a table up there."

"Upstairs?" I ask, I didn't even realize there was an upstairs.

He smiles and begins to walk towards the back of the bookstore, and I follow with the food. We pass through shelf after shelf. There has to be thousands of books here. Once we get to the very back of the store, I notice a set of metal spiral stairs that take you up to another floor. I follow Samuel up the stairs one by one running my hand over the cold railing. We get to the top and I look around. My eyes are wide as I take in the large studio apartment in front of me.

The furthest wall is exposed brick, just like in my apartment. Except this space is much larger. A small grey couch sits against the brick with a black coffee table in front of it. Next to that is a wall full of windows that offer the most amazing view of the city that surrounds the small bookstore. The floor is hardwood and covered in small rugs that are scattered throughout the space. I see an old record player off in the corner next to the couch. Next to that is a black leather chest on the floor filled with vinyl records. The apartment opens up as I scan to the right and see a small glass dining table with four chairs followed by a small open kitchen with a stainless-steel island separating the space. This place is incredible. Then it hits me, he actually does live here. I begin to laugh.

He smiles, "What's so funny?" he says as he turns towards me.

"I once thought that you spent enough time here to live here, but I didn't think you actually lived here." I smile at him and walk over to the glass table, leaving my shoes at the door. I place our lunch on the table.

He laughs, "Well let's just say, owning a bookstore in the twenty first century doesn't exactly bring in the big bucks. So, I settled here." He walks over to the kitchen and pulls out two plates and two glasses from a cupboard. He pulls open a drawer and grabs silverware as well.

He walks over and sets the table.

"What would you like to drink?" He asks as he looks over at me.

"What do you have?" I ask, taking the lunch containers out of the bag and placing them on the table.

His face flushes, "Um, water." And we both laugh.

"Water sounds great, actually." I smile and use the silverware to place his burger on his plate. Then I dump my salad on the other plate and drizzle some Caesar dressing over my food.

I go to pull out my chair when I notice he's beat me to it. He's standing behind me waiting for me to take my seat, and I oblige. He joins me at the table in the seat next to me.

He sits down and we spend a few moments in silence. I take a couple bites of my salad and he a few bites of his burger. Then I remember why I'm here and my appetite is lost.