Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Brittany-

I was distracted the entire time I sat in my morning lab.

Sleep was hard to come by the night before, then I woke up insanely early.

I was debating if I should show up or not most of the night.

Waking up early was a blessing though.

My usual forty five minutes to get ready turned into over an hour.

I questioned everything, from how to do my hair, to how much make up I should wear.

My outfit was a whole different story.

What do you wear to meet a mysterious, beautiful stranger?

One, you aren't even sure you should be going to meet.

Despite the logic in my mind I felt so drawn to her it only took three sentences, if that, and I was going to meet her.

I was also curious about the meaning behind the magazine.

It's not like I could forget how beautiful she was and not recognize her.

I noticed I was only one stoplight away and panic washed over me.

Despite the chilly temperature, I turned on the air conditioning for fear I might start sweating.

A spot opened up as I pulled in.

I looked in the mirror quickly and put my keys in my purse before getting out.

The fresh, chilly winter air filled my lungs.

I can do this I mumbled quietly hoping it would sink in.

Before I was half way to the door I noticed her on the patio, both hands holding the magazine with her nose just visible above it.

Her eyebrows moved to signal she was happy.

She stood and smiled as I approached

.

Dani: ‘You came, I'm glad.’

I smiled in return, nodding, thinking of what to say.

Dani: ‘It's ok, you don't need to be nervous. Have a seat, I got you a coffee.’

I sat across from her at the circular table for two.

She pushed the drink to me and lifted hers, signaling I join, so I did.

‘Holy fuck! How did you...um...sorry....but how did you know I liked pumpkin spice?’

I put my hand to my mouth realizing I was much louder than expected.

Dani: ‘You're too cute. So the bakery, I've been there long enough to know what kind of mugs certain kinds of coffee are served in. Lately, you've been drinking from a seasonal mug, but it was a bigger one which narrowed it down more. You seemed like a pumpkin spice girl, maybe eggnog. So I asked the guy up front to make sure.’

‘Wow, you pay a lot of attention to mugs.’

Dani: ‘I like mugs. I'm betting if I got one of those giant chocolate brownies, maybe a turkey croissant with cheese, you'd help me eat them?’

I just stared at her.

Dani: ‘I'm not that creepy I promise, but I have a craving and don't want to eat alone.’

‘Sure, I'll go...’

Dani: ‘No no, you sit and work on the nervous thing, I'll be back.’

She winked at me and headed inside.

It all seemed normal thus far aside from the psychic thing.

Why would she pay so much attention to someone like me?

She was always surrounded by good looking people, that she seemed have a lot of fun with.

Dani: ‘You didn't run away, I guess that's a good sign.’

‘Should I? I mean, should I be worried, or want to run?’

Dani: ‘I certainly hope not. I'm not trying to kidnap you. If I were, I'd say I was pretty awful at it. I just want to talk to you, feed you, and if it's ok, I'd definitely enjoy flirting with you. I'm a natural flirt anyways, but there is something more to you.'

My cheeks were warm and my eyelids grew wide with surprise.

‘I-I can't stop you...’

I took a sip of my drink to buy some time and she stopped dividing the food and gently grabbed my wrist.

Dani: ‘You absolutely can. I'm hoping you don't want to, but you can stop anything that you don't like. Can I ask that of you now? Can I ask that you will always be honest with me about anything you don't like? I can promise to not be upset, as long as you're honest.’

I was hesitant to react, with how serious she just became, all I could think to do was nod, which she met with a small, but mesmerizing smile.

Dani: ‘Sorry to get so serious. There's plenty of time for that. For now, how about we eat, and you tell me about yourself?’