Natasha
had been looking through every bin and basket in the music store for
a specific CD. Just as she reached for it, a long arm attached to a
large, male hand snagged it away from her.
"Hey!"
she bellowed over the pounding heavy funk metal, post-grunge bass
line. "That's mine!" Furious and fuming, she turned to face
the owner of the offending member, her face nearly as red as her
hair.
The
tall, dark skinned young man looked somewhat abashed. "I'm
sorry, I've been looking for this CD for over an hour."
"So
have I. Close to two. Could I have it back, please?"
Reluctantly,
he handed the CD to her. "Do you see another copy of it?"
"No,
this is the only one."
"It's
either very popular or very obscure," he complained. "I've
been looking for weeks. This is the only store in town that carries
it."
"What
about a special order?"
He
shook his head. "I haven't asked, I don't know." Shyness
suddenly enveloped him and he ducked his head away from her.
"We
can ask," she smiled, somewhat ashamed by her outburst.
"No,
really, it's not necessary. I'll get it another time."
"It's
no trouble, really. Come." She beckoned with her head for him to
follow. "I'm here all the time. They know me well. If they can
order it for me, you can have this one."
"Thanks."
His face brightened slightly as he followed her to the desk.
Trying
not to attract attention to himself, he walked behind her. He shot
furtive glances around the crowded shop looking for hardened faces.
So far he hadn't seen any, but it was only a matter of time before
they caught up with him. Enjoying a few minutes of freedom, he
followed the young woman to the counter.
*
* *
She
paid him for her CD while the dark haired man bought his from Beebe.
He turned to her with a shy smile on his lips.
"Thank
you." His voice was deep and melodic, a hint of an accent in his
pronunciation.
"You're
welcome." She smiled up at him. "I'm Natasha," she
held out her hand to him. "But some folks call me Tasha."
"I'm
Billy," his mouth had trouble with the unfamiliar name. "At
least that's as close as most people get. I am forever in your debt,
Natasha."
"No
problem."
Getting
a good look at him now, she decided he was quite possibly the best
looking man she had ever seen. His dark hair fell nearly to his
shoulders, framing a swarthy face. His eyes were so brown they looked
black, giving them a depth of emotion she had never seen before.
Deciding that he was probably not going to ask her out, she would
have to do it for him. Determined to get to know him better, she
grabbed his hand tugging him toward the door. Caught by surprise,
Billy followed her, a worried frown on his face.
"Is
something wrong? Where are we going?" They approached the door
and Billy applied the brakes suddenly, nearly knocking her off
balance. "I insist you tell me where you are taking me."
His voice was strained, tight.
"For
a cup of coffee, silly. What, did you think I was trying to kidnap
you?"
A
flicker of fear flashed in his eyes. Natasha eyed him warily. Maybe
it was a bad idea, but she thought suddenly that Billy looked as if
he needed a friend.
"A
cup of coffee, Billy. I'm sorry, I've upset you."
"No,"
he looked out the front window, eyes never stopping as he searched
for something. "A cup of coffee would taste good. It's very cold
here." He shivered as the door opened. "I'm not used to the
cold."
"Come
on." She tugged his hand again. "I'll take you to my
favorite coffee shop. My cousin owns it."
"Is
there a back door?" he asked with another glance out the window.
"Here?
Yes. Are you sure you're all right?"
"Perfect."
He grinned, but there was worry behind it. "Let us proceed to
the coffee shop, Tasha."
©
2019 Dellani Oakes
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