Coincidentally Fated

Chapter 19

A guy walks into Sugar with a sour look on his face and I got an idea.

"Wait here for just a minute and you'll change your mind about smiling." I say skipping to the customer.

"Hello mister how may I help you." I question:

He looked to be about 30-40 years old with curly red hair. Although he was tall and a lot older, he was skinny and had a mustache on his face. He doesn't respond and continues to look for a book. How rude of him. He reaches out to grab a Nicholas Spark's book and my eyes widen. So he was into Nicholas Spark. Perfect.

"Have you read The Choice by Nicholas Sparks" I ask trying to make conversation.

He doesn't answer.

"What about The Notebook? That story is my favorite by Nicholas Sparks. The movie is good but the book is even better. I have all of his books at home." I chatter.

Why wasn't this working? Maybe this person didn't like people. Understandable. Oh well. At least I tried. But now Jake is going to torture me saying I was wrong about everything.

I hear the man clear his throat and I look up.

"Not many people your age is interested in Nicholas Sparks. What made you start reading his books?" He asks.

"Umm. My friend used to have a collection of his books and I found them in his room one day. He's an amazing author."

"Yes. Yes he is. My wife used to collect all his books. She was also a fan. A big one. She would always say how Nicholas Sparks was her husband." He says chuckling.

"She must be a really huge fan then." I says pleased that he somewhat laughed.

"She was. That's how I got into reading his books. I didn't see how this guy could beat me. His novels are extraordinary once you get used to his type of writing."

I nod my head at this.

"Wait. Was?" I ask.

What happened to his wife?

He nods his head slowly. He seemed sad all of a sudden.

"Oh I'm so sorry I shouldn't have asked." I say quickly.

"It's ok. My wife died from cancer 1 year ago. We fought for so long. She was diagnosed 5 years with lukemia. "

"Oh I'm really sorry. For making you bring her up"

"It's ok. It helps actually to talk about her. And reading the books she loves helps a lot. Can you please get me all of the Nicholas Sparks books and any books that you think I might like?"

"Of course. I'll be right back" I say and he smiles for the first time.

I rush off in search of what he needed. He was so strong. His wife died and he still tried his best to live. Their love must be really deep. I found the books he wanted and hands them to him. He goes to the cash register where Jake is waiting and pays for the books.

"It was a pleasure talking to you miss. I hope I get to talk to you again. Maybe next time, I'll come find you again. Bye." He says and walks out the door holding his bag of books.

I grin from ear to ear and face Jake.

"I told you so,"