Can't Love You {Sequel to "Not Sherlock Holmes"}

Chapter Thirty-Three

Benedict's POV

I sit on the bench outside of Veronica's apartment building, questioning the logic in my plan. I'm realizing that I really didn't think this through. How is Veronica going to react to seeing me at her front door?

Probably like any woman would.

I sigh, then run my hands through my hair. Everything about this is wrong. Now that she doesn't remember anything, Veronica's not even the same person that I fell in love with.

This will surely do more bad than good.

Still, I made a promise. If I have to fall in love with her all over again, so be it.

A figure races down the pavement and takes up the stairs, only to slowly turn back and look at me.

"Umm-" I look up and my eyes widen. Veronica looks frantic, and she wears a blue polo shirt and khakis; a work uniform, I assume. She looks to be at a complete loss for words.

"Oh, uh, Veronica Blake?" I have to pretend I don't know her that well, after all. She nods sharply and straightens up.

"Hey, hi- uh, hello," she stutters, and I smile, remembering the first time we met and how shy she was.

Not all of the memories are bad.

"Umm, hi," I begin again, realizing that I am nervous, too. "Er, listen, I was in the area for some work. I remembered that you were from here, and I wanted some company." Veronica gapes at me.

"You remembered that I was from here?" I shrug and nod. "I mean, that's wonderful. I just got the impression from my visit with you and the rest of them that you weren't to be bothered." I cringe. Is that how she remembers our visit?

"Change of heart," is all I can say. She rewards me with a shy smile, and her cheeks flush pink.

"Well, if you need the company-"

"Yes! I truly do. I can think of no one better to spend it with." She still looks suspicious, but she agrees.

"Excellent. Veronica Blake, would you care to join me for coffee?"

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We walk awkwardly side-by-side down the pavement. I try not to make eye contact with passerbyers, since I don't want to be recognized.

"So what brings you here?" she asks, trying to make conversation. I hadn't really come up with a very good back story, so all I say is: "Business." She nods.

We sit down in a small coffee shop a few minutes later, and I just order black coffee. I don't know if I could drink anything right now anyway, so nothing fancy. Veronica orders tea.

"Well, what have you been up to for the last few years?" I ask, and Veronica smiles.

"It's been more than a few years." I shrug.

"No matter." She takes a deep breath.

"Well, I went to college for 2 years, but I, uh - ended up quitting-"

"Quitting?" She flushes.

"Um, well, more like flunking. So I didn't re-enroll. I've had a few jobs, and I share an apartment with my friend Mckenzie." She pauses. "Oh gosh, upon saying all of that aloud, I'm realizing just how pathetic it all sounds." She rests her forehead on the table.

I wonder to myself what it is that made Veronica like this. How could such a hard-working, successful young woman flunk school and quit? She is capable of so much more.