The Spot Writers Are Back! Courage in a Bookstore by R.C. Bonitz

The Spot Writers are back! We goofed off for a while, but here we are again. No serial novel this time—we’re doing Flash Fiction or whatever comes into our heads. Our contribution this week comes from RC Bonitz, author of A Blanket for Her Heart and the A Little Bit of– series

 Courage in The Bookstore

 She checked her lipstick in the mirror and touched it up a bit. Fluffed her hair, then ran a brush through it just to be sure. Her stomach twitched with nerves as she finished and prepared to step from the car. Was this it? Could she pull it off? No harm in trying.

Should she sashay into the store or just walk in normally? Best not to overdo, right? Well, maybe. Well, of course. She shouldn’t be too obvious; he’d think she was a ditz. He was smart—had to be. He worked in bookstore didn’t he?

A bell tinkled when she entered the store and the woman at the cash register looked up with a smile. “Good morning.”

Darn, where was he? “Hi,” Maggie said, her heart sinking.

“Can I help you?”

“No thanks, I just want to browse,” she muttered. After she’d worked so hard to build up her courage he had to be there. He just had to. Maybe he was in the back. Unpacking new books. Gift wrapping. Except no one else was in the store. Darn, darn, darn.

Maggie drifted down the nearest aisle, pretending to read titles. She pulled a book from a shelf and idly read the back cover, then put it back. What was it about—she’d forgotten already.

“I thought I heard a customer come in.”

That deep voice was unmistakable! He’d been in an aisle or in the back, but had come out to the register now. Her heart thrilled. And that anxiety went into a high speed rush. What to do? If only that woman would take a walk somewhere.

“One did. She’s in the first aisle,” the woman said. There was a pause and then the woman went on. “Go see if she needs help.”

What was that about? Hadn’t she said she’d browse? The woman was sending him to help her? Maggie groaned. Was she that obvious?

“Hi, good morning,” he said behind her.

She turned, her cheeks warm and probably bright red. “Hi.”

God, he looked so handsome. Six-two at least, with those dark eyes and that perfect face; he took her breath away.

He grinned. “It’s you.”

“What? Yes, it’s me.” What did that mean?

“Sorry, that sounded dumb. It’s just that you’ve been in a lot lately.” His grin softened and his eyes twinkled. “And you haven’t bought a single book.”

She grabbed one off the shelf without looking. “I’m buying one today.”

“You like Romance novels then?”

“Yes, oh yes.”

“That’s a cookbook.”

“What? Oh yes, I like them too,” she said. Oh what a mess she was making of this. He’d think she was a total ditz.

“What’s your name?”

“Maggie. Corcoran.” Had to get that last name in there if she wanted him to call her. At least she did that right. God, her hands were sweating. And it was a good thing she wore deodorant today.

“That’s a nice name. I’m Greg. Hanscom. I’m pleased to meet you.”

He got his last name in there too? He was pleased to meet her? Was he thinking what she was thinking? Oh my gosh! What should she say? It was time to sashay a little.

“You don’t have to buy that book, you know. But, I’d like to have your phone number,” he said softly.

She gave him a big smile. It was definitely time to sashay. “It’s 555-5555.”

His face crinkled into happiness. “I go on break in a few minutes. Can I buy you a coffee?”

The Spot Writers- our members:

 RC Bonitz
http://www.rcbonitz.com

Val Muller
https://valmuller.com/blog

Catherine A. MacKenzie
http://writingwicket.wordpress.com/wicker-chitter/

Deborah Dera
http://www.deborahdera.com