Chapter Text
Charlotte shut down her computer and packed her bag. As she pulled on her coat, her colleague, James, also stood and put on his coat. “Headed out, Charlotte?”
She nodded, “It’s about that time. What have you got going tonight?”
James grinned, “Heading to Lydia’s place. We’re cooking dinner together.”
“Ah, very nice.” Charlotte flipped her hair out of her coat and began to button it.
“What about you?” James asked.
“Well, I just got a call that the book I’ve been waiting for has finally arrived. So, I’m heading there to get a copy. Then I figure I’ll order take away and read until I fall asleep.” She sighed happily, eagerly looking forward to her evening.
James chuckled and shook his head, “You’re the only person I know who gets truly excited about reading books.”
Charlotte scoffed, “Sounds like you need to get out more, James.”
They parted ways at the front door of their office building. James made a beeline for a flower stand on the corner, while Charlotte charted a path in the opposite direction, heading toward the tube.
As she waited for the tube, Charlotte made the mistake of making eye contact with a man who kept staring at her. She’d noticed him when she first arrived but had made a point of ignoring him. He smiled predatorily and headed toward her. Charlotte tried to walk away but he made it to her before she could escape. He was tall and lanky, wild curly blonde hair framing his face.
She crossed her arms across her body as he ogled her, “Hello, gorgeous. I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure…how about you and I go get some dinner? See where the night leads us?”
Charlotte backed away, shaking her head, “No thank you.”
As she took another step back, he took another step forward. Charlotte looked everywhere for an escape and was on the edge of panicking when a strong arm gently encircled her waist from the side, “There you are, darling.” Charlotte turned to look up into a pair of warm, soft, brown eyes. They reminded her of melted chocolate. The face belonging to the eyes was incredibly handsome and for a moment she lost her train of thought.
The handsome stranger brushed his lips against her hair lightly, then turned to face the blonde creep and said darkly, “Excuse me. Can I help you?”
The blonde man’s eyes flickered to Charlotte once more, then back to the man at her side. He backed away, hands up, “I was just repaying her attentions.”
The brown-eyed man’s arm briefly tightened protectively around Charlotte’s waist, as he ground out, “You’re mistaken and were just turning to walk away.”
When the blonde man was finally out of sight, the handsome stranger dropped his arm and stepped away from Charlotte. He smiled kindly down at her, “Please forgive me for taking liberties just now. I tried to make it believable.”
Charlotte blinked, “No, that’s alright, I really appreciate it. That man was…”
“A total creep. I’m afraid he gives men a bad name in general. Please allow me to apologize on behalf of all decent men everywhere.”
Charlotte chuckled and waved his words away, “There’s no need. Truly. Thank you so much.”
He nodded and offered his hand to her, “Sidney.”
She smiled and took his hand, shaking it, “Charlotte.”
“Nice to meet you, Charlotte.”
“Likewise.” She glanced down at his brown leather messenger bag, a thrill pulsing through her as she spotted a book – the same one she’d planned to pick up tonight. She pointed to it. Sidney’s gaze followed and landed on the book. “How did you already get a copy? The bookstore only just called me to say it had arrived.”
The tips of Sidney’s ears turned pink. “Uhh…”
“You must’ve gotten one right out of the box.”
Sidney pushed his dark rimmed glasses up the bridge of his nose. A smile teased his mouth, “Uhh…yes…something like that…” He pulled the book from his bag and offered it to her, “Would you like my copy?”
Charlotte’s eyes widened, “Oh, no, that’s alright…the store is holding one for me. Have you started it yet?”
Before Sidney could answer, the train arrived, a flurry of activity interrupting their conversation. Charlotte looked at him apologetically over her shoulder as she rushed toward the open door. She waved “This is mine. It was great meeting you, Sidney. Thank you again -- so much. You’re a real-life saver!”
Sidney raised his hand in a wave, his words coming out in quiet response as the doors closed, “Goodbye, Charlotte.” He sighed in defeat, realizing that as the tube departed, carrying away the most beautiful creature he’d ever met, he didn’t even know her last name.
***
Charlotte looked up as she approached the door of her most favorite place in all the world: The Little Blue Bookshop. It was perfectly situated on a corner two blocks from her flat. A merry bell jingled overhead as she pushed open the door. The curly haired man behind the counter clocked her immediately and grinned, “You didn’t waste any time getting here, Lottie.”
She smiled sheepishly, “Jon. Thank you for holding a copy for me.”
Jon Crowe reached underneath the counter and presented his best customer with a pristine copy of her favorite romance novelist’s latest book, The Hills Know Your Name. She sighed happily, clutching it to her chest. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now go. Read. And don’t come back until you’ve got a full review to give me...” He looked at her sternly.
Charlotte grinned widely and nodded, “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
As she opened the door to leave, Jon called out to her, “Over dinner! My treat!”
She shook her head and volleyed over her shoulder, “Bye, Jon!”
Jon Crowe sighed as the door jingled with her exit. He turned and looked at his feline companion, Archie, and shrugged, “It was worth a shot.”
***
Charlotte stumbled up the stairs of her flat. She set her takeaway on the table and then flicked on a light. She dropped her bag next to a chair and shrugged out of her coat. She disappeared into her bedroom, reappearing shortly after in her favorite pajama pants and ultrasoft oversized sweatshirt that read, “Obstinate Headstrong Girl.”
After lighting a couple of candles, she sat holding her prize. Running a reverent hand over the enchanting cover, she opened to the first page, tucked into her meal, and began to read: The Hills Know Your Name by S.J. Parker.