Double Take - Closed for cravon4884

[DeliciousMaiden]

Louisa Martin

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/eb/f2/31/ebf231a98401ed5727651d92ccbf2770.jpg

It was early, the 6 am shift when Louise wearily pushed the door to the coffee shop open hearing the familiar ‘tinkle’ of the bell to announce that she was ‘home’ … or as good as.

”Morning Lou, late night session? Third this week isn’t it?”

Louise chuckled. She was mightily overdressed for such an early hour. Her attire was far from the jeans/joggers dress code of the ‘casual’ early riser and yet did not fit in with the smart ‘uniforms’ of those who were heading out for the office. Doing a mock twirl, she quipped back good naturedly.

”How did you guess?”

She carried the jacket having discarded it as she entered and went on to explain.

”My clients this week are particularly … demanding of my services, Derek. But I have tomorrow and the weekend off when they head off to Stratford for some ‘culture’ … “

She chuckled.

”I get to pick them up again on Monday, but only for another four days; they head back to France on Friday, so … at least half way there … and besides … I could use the overtime… my other ‘part-time job’ doesn’t pay so well … ”

The words were obviously an ‘in-joke’ understood by the two of them. Still smiling, Louisa headed towards the sofas and slid into the more comfortable seating in preference to the other table/chair combinations which were arranged strategically throughout. Throwing down her jacket, she kicked off her heels and sunk back into the upholstery, closing her eyes with a soft sigh.

”Don’t you have a home to go to…?”

Derek’s comment drew her out of her relaxed state, her eyes widening appreciatively at the sight of the tall mug of frothy chocolatey delight.

”Much as I’d love one your coffees, Derek, this has to be the perfect recipe for sleeping at unsociable hours … “

She sipped at the mug and murmured appreciatively.

”Wonderful, thank you … “

Before giving a sassy grin and intstructing Derek to; “ … put it on my tab … “

With that Derek left her in peace to relax and enjoy the ‘special’ hot chocolate he had made for her...

 

[cravon4884]

Thomas Guerin

http://online.wholesalermart.com/images/suits/Groom-Suits/Masculine_Two_Buttons_Handsome_Good_Vension_Fashion_Fabrics_Best_Selling_Grooms_Suit_9230342873570059.jpg

He was easy to miss seated as he was in a back corner of the coffee shop, a steaming mug set next to his laptop on the table before him. He was dressed in a nondescript business suit, drinking nondescript coffee, and performing the mundane tasks that his job required. He would appear to the casual observer to be just another businessman preparing for a long day at the office.

Isn't it funny, though, how there is a story attached to every common person. Every person that walks past that we barely notice has a story with victories, fears, defeats, and pains that we will never know. But the story of Thomas' life will never make it into an epic novel, nor will he ever be noticed by 99% of the people that he passes daily on the street. To most, he will only ever be another American in London, doing his job and marking time until he would grow old and eventually pass on.

It is through morbid thoughts such as these that her voice reached him. Normally he would not have turned his blue gaze up from the glowing screen in front of him at the sound of the door being opened, but her voice instantly caught his attention. It was the perfect mixture of softness and playfulness with that familiar accent that he had grown to love so much.

His curiosity is rewarded with the sight of her just as she does her cute little twirl and begins explaining to the shop owner about her clients. She was obviously a regular here... What had he called her? Lou?... His computer beeped at him impatiently, realization dawning on him that he had been staring at the woman this whole time.

"Refill?"

The word caught Thomas unaware and he responded with a guilty, "What?," as his eyes turned up to Derek. "Oh," he smiled, hopefully covering the color that had risen in his cheeks at being caught staring. "No, no... I, uh, should be going." His deep voice and American west coast accent came out a little too loud. His eyes turned back toward Lou, meeting her gaze for a moment before quickly closing his laptop and making a show of putting it away.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Louisa toyed with the froth and took a sip. It really was too good. She picked up the mug and wrapped her hands around it, the heat as comforting as the cocoa content she was about to enjoy.

"What?, ... Oh, ... No, no... I, uh, should be going."

The voice seemed to resonate within the subdued ambiance of the coffee house. It was far from unusual to hear an American accent in London, though his particular version was less common than those Louisa usually came into contact with. But it was the depth of his voice that caught her attention, rather than his vowels. She looked across to where Derek had retreated coffee pot in hand and found herself staring into a striking pair of blue eyes...

And then he broke their gaze. His actions in putting away his laptop combined with his refusal of a top up confirmed that he was heading out already ... Louise sighed. One of the many problems with her 'unsociable hours' of work; it limited the opportunity of meeting 'interesting people'.

Still ... he wasn't being quick about leaving ... so she eased back lazily sipping at the hot frothy liquid cupped between her hands and watched him unashamedly ...

 

[cravon4884]

It was only a brief moment in time, that meeting of their eyes. It could almost be described as fleeting, but for some reason her gaze had stirred something within him that he couldn't explain. He felt like he could feel her eyes still upon, so he chanced another look. Indeed, she was still looking and made no move to turn her eyes away. That gaze left Thomas with a decision to make... Be the person that he had been in L.A. or keep his promise to himself and make a change. His hands paused with the laptop still halfway into his briefcase. Turning his eyes once more from hers, he closed them and took a deep breath...

Turning his lips up into what he could only assume was his most charming smile, Thomas turned toward the woman and took a step toward her.

"Hello, I'm Thomas... Sorry if it seemed like I was staring before. I'm kind of new around here and I... uh, well. I just thought I'd introduce myself. If you come in here every morning around this time, we'll probably be running into each other from time to time."

The smile remained fixed on his face, though he was mentally berating himself for his lack of tact. Surely his attempt to be smooth was about to be shot to hell.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

He noticed her staring at him, but seemed to pretend not to, at least at first ...
Louisa held back a chuckle, but silently berated herself. She had been up too many hours and though sober as a judge, and with no caffeine in her system, she could only blame her lack of decorum on the cocoa ... and on sleep deprivation of course ...

Even so, her eyes widened as he seemed to meet her gaze, pause and then make his way across to where she was sitting ...

"Hello, I'm Thomas... Sorry if it seemed like I was staring before. I'm kind of new around here and I... uh, well. I just thought I'd introduce myself. If you come in here every morning around this time, we'll probably be running into each other from time to time."

His 'speech' seemed rushed and despite his smile, there was something behind his eyes that suggested a lack of confidence ... neither fact served to find him anything other than ... intriguing ...

"Hi Thomas ... I'm Louisa ... "

She told him as she put her mug down on the low table in front of her.

"And ... I think you know I was staring too ... but I wasn't going to apologise for it ... "

A chuckle bubbled forth as she teased him.

"And yes, I do have the misfortune of being here at this hour all too often. Though unlike you, I've been working a 'nightshift' so this is my last stop off before bed ... "

She lowered her gaze to his lap top bag.

"You're in a rush to get somewhere?"

Her words were part observation, part question. She couldn't help but be curious about where he worked and what exactly he did given that he was a long way from home ...

 

[cravon4884]

Thomas was careful to keep the surprise from his face when Louisa responded to his words. Instead of the normal brush-off that he could expect from the women of Los Angeles, she actually seemed to show some interest in his words. This fact did much to bolster the thin sheen of confidence that he had attempted to mask himself with. Though as a person deeply involved in the sales portion of his work, he easily picked up on her quickly waning enthusiasm for talking to him. It was a familiar sight in clients' eyes when things began to take a turn for the dull.

Her words lightened his smile however and it became more genuine as she joked about not apologizing. The rest of her words, however, were lost to him as he again met her gaze and lost himself in her voice and her lovely accent. It wasn't until she broke her eyes away and looked toward his briefcase that he finally connected her words.

"In a rush... No, not really. Actually, I don't even have to go in, but the team tends to get off task if I'm not there to make sure they stick to it."

He set his briefcase down and waved toward a chair across from her.

"May I?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Rather than scaring him off as she knew was highly likely given her somewhat irreverent sense of humour, she saw his smile widen and become so much more natural: And when it reached his eyes, well ... it was quite something to get her attention at this early hour ...

"In a rush... No, not really. Actually, I don't even have to go in, but the team tends to get off task if I'm not there to make sure they stick to it."

She nodded. He was needed elsewhere. As she knew he would be.

"May I?"

She blinked realising that he had put down his brief case.
Despite his words, despite the fact he should be elsewhere, he was asking if he could sit with her.

"Yes ... of course ... Thomas ... "

She responded, her Brit tones contrasting with the unfamiliar vowels of own accent...

 

[cravon4884]

As he sat, Thomas hoped that she wouldn't see the slight shaking in his hand, or hear the thundering of his heartbeat inside his chest. So far this was going well, but it had been so long since... But he resolutely denied the memory and focused instead on the image of beauty before him.

"So, you work a night-shift... May I ask what it is you do, Louisa?"

His blue eyes were a practiced mask over the nervousness roiling within. He knew people well enough to know that a shining lack of confidence will only drive people away and in this case, he certainly did not want to do that. Waving a hand to Derek, Thomas indicated that he would indeed have another cup of coffee, at the same time offering to buy Louisa another of whatever it is she was drinking...

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

He sat opposite her. He appeared relaxed, but there was ... something ... about him that told her that he felt otherwise.

"So, you work a night-shift... May I ask what it is you do, Louisa?"

So, he had overheard her conversation with Derek? Well, it wasn't as if she were keeping anything secret.

"... I guess you might call it the ... hospitality ... industry ... "

She told him cryptically, shaking her head as he offered to by her a second drink.

"I need to get some sleep soon ... I'm on a one-drink limit after an all night shift"

She explained.

"I work with tourists ... guide ... PA ... entertainment manager ... all rolled into one ... "

She clarified.

"My hours and shifts depend a lot on the clients' needs."

She told him sipping at her mug.

"And what is it you do Thomas?"

 

[cravon4884]

Thomas found himself very intrigued by her answer to his question. She was mysterious and extremely fascinating. As the minutes ticked by, he found himself more and more comfortable in her presence, probably set at ease by her easy smile and the comforting lilt of her words...

"Sounds like an interesting life that you lead..."

He paused for a moment before answering her question, just long enough for his eyes to drift down to her left hand. No ring... interesting.

"Me? I'm in advertising. I just transferred over here from the States to take over the London division of the company... It's not exactly a glamorous lifestyle, but it can be fun, I guess."

He looked as if he was about to say more, but a tone rang out from his pocket.

"Excuse me..."

He pulled out his phone and looked at it momentarily, a quiet curse crossing his lips at whatever he saw. His eyes then rose to meet Louisa's again and he offered an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry, I have to go," he paused for a moment, perhaps taking a moment to gather his courage. "I, uh... It was good to meet you. I'd like to talk more, maybe we could meet sometime when we have more time?" He pulled a card from his inside pocket and held it out to her, trying mightily to keep the shaking of his hand under control.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Sounds like an interesting life that you lead..."

He told her, the observation bring that inevitable smile to her lips.

" ... interesting? ... I guess you could call it that ..."

She commented with a chuckle.

"Me? I'm in advertising. I just transferred over here from the States to take over the London division of the company... It's not exactly a glamorous lifestyle, but it can be fun, I guess."

She nodded. Not a tourist, actually living and working here... that was less common ... she calculated silently. She was about to comment that his life must be interesting also when his phone interrupted him.

"Excuse me..."

She sipped at her hot chocolate as he looked at the screen, seeming disinterested, yet she noted his displeasure at the message that had been sent through.

"I'm sorry, I have to go,"

Louisa nodded. It was a shame. He seemed nice.
But that's what life in London was like ... ships passing and all that ...

"I, uh... It was good to meet you. I'd like to talk more, maybe we could meet sometime when we have more time?"

She was surprised as he handed her his card, pleasantly so.
He actually seemed interested in her; interested enough to spend more time at least ...

"Thank you Thomas .... "

She told him taking the card and placing it beside her mug.

"And if you're ever in here you can always ask Derek where I am ... he's usually up to date with my schedule."

She paused, aware that she might have given the wrong impression.

"Nothing like ... ummm... "

She actually found herself blushing.

"Derek's my landlord. I live upstairs ..."

She pointed ceiling-wards to the apartment which she was returning to after that incredibly long 'shift'.

"So ... I'm often around here, though I don't keep regular hours."

She clarified, realising she had told him much more than she usually did, much more than she'd intended.

"I'm sure we'll bump into each other again ... it was good to meet you ... "

She told him.

 

[cravon4884]

As she took his card, his finger brushed up against her, sending an electric jolt through him. His eyes met hers once more as she explained her living situation. He couldn't help but smile wider when she stumbled over that explanation and the color rose in her cheeks. He wondered if she realized how enticing she looked...

"I'm so glad we met, I will look forward to 'bumping' into you again," he said before taking a step back in preparation of leaving. He was obviously reluctant to turn away by the way he stood there lamely for a few seconds. Finally, however, he realized that he is once again staring and probably looking foolish and indecisive. "Uh, hey... I was wondering... There's an Italian place that just opened down the road here... Maciano's, I think is the name of it. I was thinking about trying it and I'd love it if you'd join me... If you're not busy one night, that is.."

Across from the coffee shop, a figure moved from the shadows and started off down the street. He had seen enough for now, though the angry look upon his face was shrouded in the darkness of his drawn hood. Also covered by the hood was the earpiece in his ear that had allowed him to listen to Thomas' entire conversation...

"Go ahead, Tommy... Make your plans, but that stupid smile won't be on your face long..." the figure muttered as he quickly made his way toward a dark van parked nearby.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"I'm so glad we met, I will look forward to 'bumping' into you again,"

He was charming ... cute even ... especially stood there hovering between his need to go and what she saw as his wish to stay ...

"Uh, hey... I was wondering... There's an Italian place that just opened down the road here... Maciano's, I think is the name of it.
I was thinking about trying it and I'd love it if you'd join me... If you're not busy one night, that is.."

Internally she was surprised, shocked even that he'd actually asked her out!!
He seemed so uncertain, shy even ... and yet ...
Belatedly she became aware that he was waiting for an answer.

" ... That sounds lovely ... Italian food is one of my favourites ... "

She told him.

" ... I have no idea what my schedule is next week ... but ... I'm sure we can fix something up ... "

 

[cravon4884]

As she finally agreed to have dinner with him, the tension in Thomas' body visibly eased and a smile more genuine than any she had yet seen lit up his face.

"Great! I... well, I guess I'll talk to you later then. You have my number, you can call me whenever... or I'll be back in here tomorrow around the same time if you prefer." He was rambling and he knew it. It was time for that smooth exit, an art that he had never really perfected. "Um... okay. Bye then!"

Before he could assassinate his chances any further, Thomas turned and made his way to the door. He chanced one final look at Louisa as he pushed the door open and stepped toward the street. He tried to put his mind back on the problem that had arisen at work, but he couldn't get the thought of her voice out of his head and the brush of her finger upon his still felt warm. It was going to be a long day, he decided.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Great! I... well, I guess I'll talk to you later then. You have my number, you can call me whenever... or I'll be back in here tomorrow around the same time if you prefer."

Again he relaxed and again she was struck by the change that made to his features ...

"Um... okay. Bye then!"

She watched his exit, a smile playing across her face.

"Lou, Lou's got a date..."

She turned and hit Derek with a playful swot as he jeered playfully.

"I really need you picking on me don't I?"

She retorted with a laugh, obviously unconcerned.

"... and I think it's more than time that I found my duvet .... "

She rose wearily and leaned across to kiss Derek on the cheek.

"See you later ... keep the noise down ..."

She quipped and headed off past the counter and through a door in the far end of the coffee shop...

 

[cravon4884]

Later that day, Thomas sat at his desk, eyes staring intently at the pen in his hand. The crisis had been averted and the new ad campaign was back on track. Of course, he had been forced to make promises to the client that he wasn't sure his team could keep, but he would make it happen somehow. He always did... But his mind wasn't on the immediate problems of his company, they were on his meeting with Louisa that morning.

"I don't know, Dad," he whispered as if to the pen. "She seems amazing, but can I do this? After what happened to Mom, do I even deserve..."

His words were cut short by a knock in his door. "Come in," he called out. The door opened and Alice poked her head in. Alice had been his father's assistant when he ran the company, but since his father's death, she had been working for Thomas.

"Are you talking to that pen again, Thomas? You know your father's not in there, don't you..." Leave it to Alice to say it like it was...

"It's the only thing I have left of him, you know that... Anyway, what is it?"

Alice shook her head disapprovingly, but pushed the door open and made her way in. "I just wanted to let you know that the rest of the day is cleared. I think I'm going to head out."

Thomas offered her a fond smile and nodded. "Thanks for everything. I'll see you tomorrow."

Once Alice had left, Thomas turned his chair toward the window looking out over the busy street below. "I said I'd change when I came here and damned if I'm going to let myself down..." He slid the pen into his breast pocket where it pretty much always resided. It was the only thing his father had left to him, other than the job and he always kept it close.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Louisa headed up the staircase and took out the key to open up the door to her apartment. Perhaps ‘apartment’ was a bit of a grand description, but it was ‘home’ for her and that was what mattered. The lock fell back into place and she made her way into the living room dropping her keys and jacket and reaching back to begin to unzip her dress as she headed towards her bedroom. Casting the dress across a chair she pulled off her remaining clothes and sunk into the depths of her duvet with a groan. The French group had been more than demanding since she was assigned to them and unlike some of her ‘jobs’ she had to be constantly vigilant, constantly on call. Louisa had closed the bedroom blinds in readiness, so the room had a dim cosiness which made it all the easier to sleep during the day. Sometimes she found that difficult, but she was so exhausted that she quickly began to drift off … and somehow thoughts of the man she had only just met followed her into her slumber …

 

[cravon4884]

It may not have been an extraordinarily long day, but it had been a busy and exhausting one. Thomas did not relish the walk home, but it the exercise did help to clear his head. He found himself, however, lingering outside of Derek's coffee shop. She was up there, probably just on the other side of those blinds.

"God, I'm turning into a damn stalker," he muttered to himself. Despite his own observation, however, he pushed open the door and headed over to the counter.

"Back so soon?" Derek joked.

"Yeah, just need some coffee," Thomas replied, feeling weird in the fact that the shopkeeper had seen everything this morning. Once he had his coffee, he made his way over to the couch and settled down to relax and sip his drink, half of him hoping that she would come down and the other half not wanting to explain that he wasn't REALLY stalking her.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

She slept well and she slept for hours and hours, catching up on the time she had lost over the previous demanding days. Even once awake, Louisa was reluctant to get up and lounged for long minutes, even an hour or even hours before finally being driven in search of a hot shower and finally food ...

Clad in just a towel, she searched through her cupboards and fridge with a groan of realisation: She had been at work too much of late and knew that grocery shopping was high on her 'to do' list that weekend. She pulled out the milk and found that even THAT was off!

Shaking her head, she realised that there were definitely perks in living above a coffee shop. She could sneak down and grab some milk, or maybe she would just get one of Derek's coffees to get her going again ... and then perhaps she'd order a takeaway ... or ... think of something food wise.

The need for caffeine kicking in big time, Louisa grabbed a pair of blue jeans and a cosy jumper. Running a hand through her hair, she decided that she would 'do' as she was literally just nipping downstairs and could of course bring the coffee back upstairs with her.... She'd be there seconds.. well minutes ... so it wouldn't matter what she looked like.

Moments later she emerged from the back door and headed towards the counter.
The place wasn't too busy, but Derek was serving customers.

"Giant cappuccino when you've got a minute Derek ... "

She told him.

"Make it 'to go' ... "

She nodded back towards the door indicating that she would take it upstairs.

"I need a kick start ... "

She told him as he began to prepare her order.

"Sure you don't want to stick around a while?"

Derek asked cryptically.

" ... why ...?"

There was something about Derek's expression that she couldn't fathom.
He leaned forward conspiratorially and whispered.

"Romeo's back ... "

When it was obvious that she didn't know what he was talking about, he clarified';

" ... the guy from this morning ... "

He nodded across in what must be the appropriate direction.

"You're kidding!?!?"

God ... she looked a fright ... definitely not the 'image' she was going for.

"Can't you froth quicker, Derek? I need to escape before he sees me like THIS!"

She insisted ...

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/5f/5d/cb/5f5dcb77d548a954692f8169eebea659.jpg

 

[cravon4884]

It would appear that Louisa had perfect timing. Thomas was just about ready to leave. In fact, he was had just taken the last drink of his coffee and was headed for the trash bin when he caught sight of her. She was turned away from him and by the furtive glances that Derek was sending his way, it appeared that she might know he was there. She was dressed more comfortably than she was this morning and he couldn't help but admire her tousled hair and blue jeans.

The thought occurred to him that maybe she didn't want him to see her, that maybe she was a little creeped out by him being here again so soon. But, what the hell, he had already taken so many chances today and he had a promise to keep to himself. He walked over until he was standing behind her, figuring that Derek would alert her to his presence before he could say anything anyway.

"Hello again, Louisa. I stopped in for another coffee, but I didn't expect to see you again so soon." Okay, it was partially true. He hadn't EXPECTED to see her again, but he had secretly hoped.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Derek was amused and even more so when Louisa blushed. She wasn't usually concerned about what she wore or how she looked when popping down for a quick coffee, heck, she almost treated the place like an extension to her own little place above, so he was definitely enjoying this turn of events play out. And, as he had expected, the man in question was walking up towards them, towards her. Derek raised an eyebrow, the subtle indication of his presence before turning away allegedly to tend to Louisa's coffee order with a show of tact that Louisa had never seen in him before.

"Hello again, Louisa. I stopped in for another coffee, but I didn't expect to see you again so soon."

The cloak of professional poise gone, she blushed, but responded in the same friendly manner.

"Hi Thomas. I've only just gotten up and about. I had a lot of sleep to catch up on ... "

A silent pause between them was filled by Derek handing over her coffee. She turned to thank him and then frowned; he had put it in a cup and not in the take away disposable as she'd asked. She would 'deal' with him later!

"Did you just arrive or are you just heading out again?"

She couldn't help herself asking.

 

[cravon4884]

There are many things that could be said about Thomas Guerin. To the casual observer, he was painfully shy around women, he was somewhat of a recluse generally, and he tended to bury himself in his work. Past events could explain each of these things. However, he was no idiot. In preparation of taking over his father's company, Thomas had completed a Master of Arts in Marketing with a minor in Psychology. If there was one thing that he knew it was people...

That being said, when Louisa turned to speak to him, Thomas observed three things instantly. First, she had not been prepared to see anyone she knew. She had no make-up on, her hair was not neatly done as it had been this morning, and she was somewhat embarrassed as evidenced by the color in her cheeks. Second, the fact that she was embarrassed meant that she might actually be interested in him. And third... As beautiful as she was this morning when she had been made up for work, she was easily ten times more stunning now.

The sight of Louisa as she turned left Thomas momentarily stricken and speechless. He was staring again... Finally forcing his mouth closed, he smiled, the color rising in his own cheeks at his own adolescent-like response to her. 'Nice... real smooth, Thomas,' he chided himself.

"I've been here a bit, but I could stay if you're up to sitting with me for a bit. I mean, uh, I understand if you don't want to of course. Having just woken up and all..."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

He seemed to take a while to answer and actually seemed embarrassed if the pinking of his cheeks was anything to go on. Could it be that he had been hanging around intentionally trying to see her!?!?

"I've been here a bit, but I could stay if you're up to sitting with me for a bit.
I mean, uh, I understand if you don't want to of course. Having just woken up and all..."

Louisa had intended to head back upstairs and still could, but given the cup she had been given she knew she should stay in the coffee shop to drink; besides not to do so would be rude now ...

"Sure, I'd like the company,"

She responded and led him across the her favourite 'squishy sofa' with just the briefest of warning looks at Derek who seemed to be enjoying her predicament judging by his grin.

She settled down and sipped at her cup with an appreciative murmur.

"I've been awake a few hours actually, but not really got going ... my body clock is shot to hell ..."

She told him, whilst inwardly berating herself for talking nonsense ... he did not need to know such irrelevant details ...

Derek:

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/7c/e6/c9/7ce6c9983f3900ed80df453a9f0826aa.jpg

 

[cravon4884]

There was a split second of indecision in her response and judging by the way her eyes furtively glanced toward the stairs, she had not been planning on staying down her... But she did and he watched for a moment as she headed toward the couch. His eyes turned toward Derek for a second before following her, noting the cheesy grin on his face and the way he winked knowingly at Thomas. Shaking his head, Thomas followed Louisa and settled on on the couch near her.

Had Thomas been privy to Louisa's internal chiding, he would have reassured her that the small talk was fine. It fulfilled his newly discovered craving for the sound of her voice.

"Oh, I can understand that completely. My first week here, I had a hell of a time adjusting to the time. I don't think I had a good night's sleep at all." He smiled and shook his head.

"I hope me being here doesn't seem... weird. I'm not really a stalker or anything, I promise," his voice was light as if he was joking, but his eyes told a different story as if he was silently asking her if she was really okay with him being here again with her so soon.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Oh, I can understand that completely. My first week here, I had a hell of a time adjusting to the time. I don't think I had a good night's sleep at all."

Louisa nodded.

"My schedule varies so often, it's impossible to really get into a routine when it goes crazy ... "

She responded as he seemed to relax again.

"I hope me being here doesn't seem... weird. I'm not really a stalker or anything, I promise,"

She looked at him, considering his words seriously despite his bantering tone.

"I'm fine with you being here ... and if you had come back hoping to see me ... then ... I'd be flattered ..."

She told him with a faint blush.

"Though if I'd known, I'd have dressed more appropriately."

She ran a hand through her tousled hair and blushed self-consciously.

" ... whilst you ... you look as smart and pristine as this morning ... "

She complimented him.