One More Summoning

Chapter Eleven

Declan

I didn't sleep at all last night. Why didn't she tell us she had a stalker? I mean I know why but still, I wouldn't have let her come back here, I would have made her come with us. In due time. It's about eight in the morning, she's had her shop open about thirty minutes. I'm making the short walk there. It's to hot to be wearing a hoodie, so I settled on a long sleeve shirt, I have to cover my tattoos so she don't recognize me. Thank goodness its not to hot that it looks odd for me to have long sleeve on. I mean we are getting closer to fall and in the early morning there is a bite to the air.

There it is. The cozy corner.  Already so busy. I slowly make my way to the door and push it open to hear the chimes above it sing their little chimes to let her know someone has entered the shop. She turns in my direction, the ponytail swings and her eyes catch mine. Good grief she's breath taking. I walk up to the counter to order a coffee, she meets me there.

"What can I get for you sir?"

Please don't let her recognize me.

"Coffee, cream and sugar."

She rings me up and turns to make the coffee. She doesn't seem to recognize me, thank god. I turn to look at all the different selection of books she has. There are many different kinds, mystery, thriller, romance, documentary, fantasy, and more, but the one section that catches my eye is the one in between fantasy and romance, I've read a couple of these a couple of years ago, I'm not going to get into that. Some people call this smut, dark romance, erotic, etc, there are couple different names for it out there.

I pick up one of my favorites, Den of Vipers, I feel like it relates to us pretty well. I'm busy flipping through the pages, lost in thought when she comes up behind me with my coffee.

" Would you like to read that? We have a couple different options. Buy, rent, borrow, or you could simply read it here."

"Oh, I've already read it but thanks for the coffee."

Her face slightly falls but then its back to the simple smile that makes my knees weak.

"Oh, I didn't realize you had. It was a good book." She looks down at the book and she's remembering and fantasizing about it.

"Would you like to read it again?" I extend my arm holding the book out to her. Her eyes snap back to mine like she been caught doing something bad. A tint of pink flushes her cheeks. It's so cute when she gets worked up.

"Oh no, umm, I have to get back to work. Thanks for your order and if I can help you in any way please let me know." She walks slowly away backwards as she says this. I cock up an eyebrow at her. She bumps into a table almost spilling someone coffee. She turns and apologizes and offered them a free coffee. She really is something else. 

I take the book deciding I want to read it again or at least read some of it, and find a table in the back corner. This is the perfect spot, I can see to front door, counter, the hall to the restroom and what I'm taking is a stock room and the other room an office, plus the back exit. I've stayed a couple of hours when the bells chime from the front door for the millionth time but I look up out of habit, to be able to know if a threat is coming. When I look up, it looks to be a normal man walking into get a coffee or book, but then when his face lands on Katerina it changes. It morphs into something I can spot a mile away, obsession. He walks right up to her like he has known her his whole life, she meets him with a smile but it's not the kind she gives every customer, this is more friendly. Something just isn't sitting right with me, I get up to get in line behind him, I don't need another coffee but I'm about to buy one to take home. I need to try to get any information I can, a name or something. I get in line behind him just as they both reach the counter.

"Hello, Simon. What can I get for you?"

"Come on sugar, you know what I want and I can't buy it."

Who is this guy? Glad I took this shift and Cole hasn't made his way here yet for his shift. He would kill this guy and so would either of the others. Don't get me wrong, I want to kill him to but I need information first. The more information the better our chance of finding the stalker and taking care of him.

" I can't do this now I have customers. Plus you're a very busy man."

" Sugar, just because I'm the best lawyer in the state doesn't mean I can't make time for you. Come on one date that's all I'm asking for."

" Not only am I not looking for anything, you know we could never because you're Steve's best friend."

" One day sugar, one day. I'll take a black coffee to go."

Okay this is some decent information. I should be able to find this Simon since I know his first name and job title and it helps I know what he looks like, but who the hell is Steve? That's all I have on him, his name, that and he is Simon's best friend. That's enough information I can find him. Simon gets his coffee and leaves without harassing her anymore. Soon as I step up to the counter...

"Coffee with cream and sugar?"

"Yes, please, to go this time. How did you remember that when you take so many orders in a day?"

" I'm not sure. I can do it with quite a few people though. Funny though it's usually my regulars and you're a new face around here so I'm going say that's why I remembered it. New face."

"New regular." Her cheeks flush that pretty pink, and she turns to make the coffee. Her hips doing that swaying thing they do. I wonder if she realizes she does it.

"Why did you let him talk to you that way?"

She pauses a moment before she turns towards me and hands me my coffee.

" He's harmless. Just a guy that has always try to get with me even though I dated his best friend. He's persistent but he never pushes too far." She shrugs as she comes around the counter with a spray bottle and rag to wipe the table I was at. I follow her, reach around her once to the table to grab the book. She turns to look at me just as I'm the closest to her. I can smell her breath, mint an coffee.

"I'll put this back." I head to the bookshelf putting it back right where I took it from. I can feel her staring at me. Most people leave the book at the table for her to put it. I hear the bells chime and I know it's Cole.  He's always on time if not early for everything he does. I turn making eye contact with him. With the slightest of a nod from him I know he's giving me the okay to leave, that's he's got it from here until closing and she gets home. I look back at my little lovebird and give her a smile while I lift my coffee up at her and head out the door.