Page 11 of Secrets in Salem: Part One

Wide-eyed, I look up and find myself being steadied by a man. The sun is right behind the guy’s head, leaving his face bathed in shadows, so I can't make out his features. I can, however, most certainly tell I crashed into a living being. Legit barreled into aguythat feels like a brick wall. Jesus, what is he made of?Steel?Shit.

"I am so sorry!” I blurt, rubbing my forehead where it connected with the guy’s impressive pecs. “I didn't see you, though I wasn't even looking. That's something someone should do while running down a sidewalk. I normally pay attention to where I’m going. Today is totally an off day for me," I ramble, my free hand reaching out to grip the man's forearms to steady myself.

He doesn't say anything, worried blue eyes scanning me while he helps me stand upright. I heave out a breath as soon as I’m not at risk of falling on my ass, though the guy doesn’t let go of my arms right away. When he does, I almost feel like I’m going to topple right back down like a feather in the fucking wind. He bends slightly and hands me my bag, having picked it up off the ground for me like a total gentleman. I take it from him. "Thank you. I really am sorry. I should have been looking where I was going."

The guy is tall, so I'm forced to raise my head and put a hand over my eyes like a makeshift shield. It doesn’t really work that well, my eyes squinting and on the verge of watering. Realizing my dilemma, the guy shuffles to the left until he's out of the sun and I'm not being blinded. Well, I’m not being blinded by the light anymore. Instead, his face alone is enough to have my mouth popping open with a gasp.

I kind of wish he'd stayed where he was because at least then I was none the wiser of the knowledge that I just crashed into a real life adonis. This man is drop dead gorgeous. I'm talkingwayout of my league kind of gorgeous. And I just barreled into him like an absolute moron. Someone upstairs clearly hates me.

Black hair similar to my own sits atop his head, shaved close to the skin on the sides. His eyes are the color of the ocean in the Bahamas, a striking blue that has the power to turn a person into a puddle while gazing at them. He has a narrow and straight nose, full kissable lips, and the slightest cleft in his chin. I’m pretty sure he stands at six foot one, with muscles outlined through his simple white shirt and beautifully toned arms with olive skin that looks ridiculously smooth. He's not built overly big, but what muscle he does have is totally doing it for me.

Sweet baby kittens, what's in the water where he's from?

Blinking rapidly, I realize I'm staring like a total idiot, so I clear my throat and look down until I'm staring at his chest.That's not better, Willow.It does bring with it the realization that I've spilled the coffee I had no idea he was holding all over his once pristine shirt. Why is this my luck today?

Wincing and biting my lip, my eyes go to the ground where a coffee cup lays haphazardly. I look back up and say, "Shit. I’m so,sosorry."

The guy smiles a little, and I'm pretty sure I hear the sighs of two passing women. I'm pretty sureIsigh when two dimples pop as his smile grows, a shy blush tinting the apples of his cheeks. Seriously, where the hell did this guy come from? And why have I never seen him before? I've lived in Salem for nineteen years. I would have noticed this guy.

"Can I buy you another coffee to replace the one I've embarrassingly spilled all over your nice clean shirt? I mean, it won’t get the stain out or anything, but losing blessed coffee is the start of only a really bad day, right?" I ask, wringing my hands together with sudden nervousness. I mean, here I am having blabbering away with a completely unfazed guy who looks like he just stepped off the pages of a modeling magazine while I try to make up for ruining his morning.

He doesn't answer verbally, but he does give me a bigger smile and a nod. Doesn't he talk? I don’t think he’s said a single word throughout this whole encounter. How peculiar.

"Okay, cool. I'm actually on my way to a café now to meet my best friend, so I can buy you the best coffee you'll ever taste if you want to come with me. I promise I'm not luring you to your demise, simply replacing your drink," I joke, the start of another rambling tangent bubbling in my chest. Tracey'sdoeshave the best coffee in Salem, though, so there is that.

The handsome man before me nods again, his smile revealing a set of polished white teeth. In a very unexpected move, this most gentlemanly ofallthe men I’ve ever known holds his arm out for me to hook mine through his. I'm pretty sure I swoon without realizing it, because not only is the man stunning, he's a total sweetheart too. He hasn't even gotten mad that I ruined his shirt and spilled his coffee. At least, he hasn’t shown that he’s mad. I really hope he’s not hiding a serial killer under the cute exterior, anger bubbling until he gets me alone and throws my body into a dumpster after taking his revenge for his spilled beverage.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

Awkwardly, I slide my arm through his and give him a timid smile.

"This way, then," I tell him, directing him the last few blocks to Tracey's.

Chapter 7

Willow

We walkin comfortable silence, oddly enough. The guy still doesn't say a word, just moves where I direct him. I've grown surprisingly relaxed around him in an unnervingly short amount of time, especially considering the man is nothing but a stranger. I haven't even asked his name, afraid I'll turn back into the nervous, bumbling idiot I was when I collided head first into his chest to begin with.

As soon as we reach the café, I reluctantly slip my arm from his and turn to him. I smile and say, "This is where you have options. You can sit with me so I can apologize again for the coffee with better coffee and the best damn chocolate cake you'll find for miles, or I can go in and buy you coffee, and you can take it and run. Or just run as soon as I go in and place an order. Choice is entirely yours. I won’t hold your decision against you."

His turquoise eyes shine with amusement, another smile in place. He takes a look around and points to the seating area outside the café. With a nod, he moves toward a table, sitting down before aiming his smile at me again.

"Well, alright then. I'll be back with cake and coffee." I snicker before heading inside. I look around for Adam, but his wild curls and the hipster glasses that he doesn't actually need are nowhere in sight. Standing at the counter, I pull my phone out of the pocket on my bag and check my messages. Sure enough, there's one from my best friend.

Afro Hipster: Running so late, you wouldn't believe. Dad is pulling the 'you don't spend enough time with your old man' card, so I'm going to have to postpone our coffee date while I go fishing or what the fuck ever for the next hour or so. I'll let you know how that goes. See you soon, glitter dick.

My laughter draws the attention of the few patrons hanging around Tracey's at almost nine in the morning, but I pay them no mind. After growing up surrounded by judgmental gossipers, I'm used to the stares and whispers.

Instead of indulging the eyes I can feel burning holes in my back, I type out a reply.

Basic Witch: No problem, sprinkle tits! Tell your dad I said hi. And go easy on him. He just wants to spend time with his only child. It's not his fault he's stuck with you for a son.

I get a reply in no time, like he was merely waiting for my response.

Afro Hipster: HAH! You're hilarious. Why couldn't he have bore a son that enjoys fishing? I'd much rather be sitting at Tracey's with a coffee in front of my face while I check out the asses of the construction crew across the road instead of researching. Want to trade?

"Hey, sweetie. Your usual?" Tracey asks with her raspy voice, coming up to the counter in her white and red checkered apron, flour on her wrinkled face as per usual.

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