Small Town Secrets

Part 1: Chapter 5

POV: ALEX

I haven't seen or spoken to Nina in days. She hasn't reached out to me, but to be fair I haven't reached out to her either. We've just been ... distant, I guess. Not for any reason I can think of, but it's been a while.

After working a full day at the farm, I showered but I wasn't ready to go to sleep yet. It was only 8pm and there was nothing for me to do. Olly seemed just as bored as I was.

So I pulled out the leash, clipped it to her collar as her tail wagged viciously, and headed out.

I wasn't even sure where I was going, but I needed some fresh air. When it got too quiet, my mind would bombard me with all kinds of thoughts. Michelle, my family and friends back home, Nina.

Nina.

And how I missed her.

I didn't want to seem annoying. She and I hung out a lot and maybe she just needed a little break. She has a life, I wasn't expecting her to spend all of her time with me. That wouldn't be fair. So I just looked for something to do without her.

Olly and I walked for miles until we got into town. It turned dark. I didn't want to drive because I wanted Olly to get some fresh air (though she spends most of her time on the farm with me) ... maybe I'm the one who needed the fresh air. Away from all of that horse shit.

While we walked, we passed the coffee shop which was closed for the night.

I stopped in front of it with a deep sigh, when a soft and gentle voice startled me from behind.

"I was hoping to get some coffee too."

I whipped around to see that beautiful woman I met a while ago. She had a sweatshirt on under a slim coat and her hair was tied up in a ponytail. She seemed tired as she sat on the rim of the window.

"They closed early today. Apparently, their daughter had an accident on the soccer field." She said as she waved her phone.

"You have their numbers?"

"Yeah, well I've known them for years and I'm always here drinking up all of their stuff."

We stared at each other for a while. I couldn't help but get a good look at her this time, since last time was so brief. All I knew was that she was beautiful, but now I saw everything that made her so beautiful.

Her eyes, her cheekbones, her lips.

"What's her name?" She asked, snapping me out of my daze. I stood confused until she pointed to my dog.

"Oh, this is Olly."

"Olly." She stood and approached me. "Can I pet her?"

"Sure."

She crouched down and pet Olly. Olly loved her.

"She's so cute." She smiled.

"Thank you ... umm, are you okay getting back? It's pretty dark out here."

"I should be asking you that question, being that you walked here." She stood to meet my eyes.

"How'd you know I walked?"

She looked around presenting her evidence, "I don't see a car."

"I could've parked down the street."

"Why would you do that?"

"To get some air."

I challenged her and she seemed to like that. Going back and forth like that felt natural, and the smile on her face told me that she felt the same way.