Susceptible

Chapter twenty four

"Hi?" I replied and shifted my weight back to put more distance between me and this guy. I gave him a once-over. He was handsome in a conventional Hollister model type of way. Broad shoulders and tanned skin that contrasted with his honey colored hair. With his gleaming blue eyes he looked like the poster child for an All-American boy. Self-consciously I tucked my curls behind my ear. 

"I didn't mean to scare you," he said and even his voice sounded as smooth as butter, "I just noticed the book you were carrying, it's one of my favorites."

I immediately became aware of the book in my hand that Nana gave me for my birthday and I had hardly noticed that I had brought it with me to the coffee shop.

"Really?" I questioned and looked down at the unfamiliar title. "I haven't even read it." I admitted to this stranger.

"Oh? Well you should. It's great with lots of magic and mystery."

"Yeah I definitely will get on it." I lied to him trying to make pleasant conversation. I prayed that they would call my name for my drink so I could leave the shop. I wasn't great at small talk.

"I hope I didn't make you feel strange." he said with a knowing smile as if he was aware of my uncomfortableness, "I'm just new in town and I don't really have many friends. Kind of just spending my birthday alone today." 

This peeked my interest. "It's your birthday today?"

"Sure is." He said with a grin.

"Huh" I said returning his smile. "Mine too."

"No way!" He said and held up his hand for a high five that I hesitatingly returned. "Maybe we can enjoy our drinks together in honor of our birthdays. That is unless you have other plans?"

"Ummm" I raised my hand to my chest and fidgeted with my necklace unsure of what to say. It had been awhile since I had gotten male attention. A flash of a laugh echoed in my ears haunting my memory. As pain griped my chest I answered him. "I'm not really looking to date..." I trailed off awkwardly unsure of his implications as I felt my cheeks starting to burn.

He let out a chuckle "No worries, me neither. I just got out of something kind of complicated." He said scratching the back of his head giving away his uncomfortableness. "I'm truly just looking for some friends."

Feeling more relaxed I debated it in my head for a moment. Maybe some new friends is what I needed. Maybe if I had guy friends to hang out with platonically then one day I'd finally be able to... I shook the thoughts from my head. I couldn't get myself worked up in public. 

"Okay then sure. Why not? I'm Courtney." I said giving him a small smile. I decided to be spontaneous for once in my life. It's not like he could actually hurt me, I always had my powers.

"Nick." He said and reached out his hand for a handshake. His hand was warm and firm. The kind of handshake fathers approve of.

"Courtney!" The barista called out my name and I went up to the counter to grab my coffee before going to stand near Nick again. 

"Why don't you grab us a table while I wait for my drink." Nick suggested and I gladly took him up on the offer to try to avoid the slight awkwardness in the air from this situation. I walked outside and chose one of the empty tables. I wanted to enjoy the last of the summer heat and the passing pedestrians might give us topics of conversations. I took a seat and drank a small sip of my coffee.

After a few minutes I saw Nick emerge out of the building carrying a  drink in one hand and something else in the other. As he approached I realized there were two bags containing pastries in his right hand. He scooted out the other chair at the table I had chosen with his foot and sat down placing his items on the table.