Cristal(18)
She could feel Kerim’s stare but he played along, placing his hand on hers. If anyone else were watching, they did look like a couple.
“See you tonight,” she said to Harry. “Kerim, let’s go.”
She smirked imagining the steam spewing from Harry’s nostrils.
Joanna must have been enjoying the show because her smile was stretching wider and wider and Cristal could see a glint of glee in her eyes.
Cristal thought, I’m not as predictable as you think, Mr. Doubt.
“Your ride awaits you, my lady,” Kerim said, giving Harry a friendly wink. He was definitely enjoying Cristal’s tactical maneuver.
Cristal smiled to herself, letting him guide her away. She glanced back to confirm that Harry was watching them very carefully. She wondered what thoughts were running through his mind right now.
She pulled Kerim’s arm, urging him to pick up the pace.
“What’s the hurry?” he asked.
“No hurry,” she said. “I want to get away from this crowd.”
He squeezed her hand reassuringly. They walked hand in hand until they reached the intersection. She turned back to see GN staff walking into the building.
So what next, she asked herself, realizing that she hadn’t thought it through.
Cristal had just pulled a fast one on Harry and she was still enjoying the moment. Harry was probably having a fit seeing her walking hand in hand with Kerim.
“My bike is over there in front of the coffee shop,” Kerim said, interrupting her thoughts. “You want me to take you home? We’ve got a few hours to kill before the meeting tonight.”
She realized that her hand felt good in his. Why not play this out a bit?
“Nah, I don’t want you to have to drive through the chaos out there. I can take a cab after the meeting, assuming the streets will be clear by then. Let’s go to the coffee shop instead. It should be open,” she said.
“A good espresso might help my caffeine headache.”
She glanced up at him and remarked, “You still have a headache?”
“Well I didn’t get a chance to get my dose of caffeine at Gabriel’s. And spilling it on my jeans doesn’t count.”
She giggled, remembering the event that happened earlier.
They crossed the street in silence and stopped in front of the shop.
“I guess Harry can’t see us anymore,” he said quietly.
He gently let go of her hand.
“Yes, sorry for that,” she said. “Thanks for helping me back there. I really didn’t want to hang out with Harry right now.”
He stared at her for a moment. His steely gazes made her catch her breath. She remembered her thoughts from earlier about ice cream and bad boys. Chocolate ice cream is very bad for your hips, she reminded herself. She noticed Kerim glance down her body. Was he checking her out or was she only hoping he was?
“No worries. I know how it is,” he said, snapping her back to reality.
She gave him a small smile realizing that her cheeks were probably the color of persimmon.
Cristal wished she could enjoy this moment with Kerim a little longer but they reached the coffee shop’s entrance. The sign on the door said “Open” so despite the earthquake, it looked like the shop was running business as usual.
“After you,” Kerim said, pulling open the door.
She entered the store noticing that they were the only customers and the owner of the shop was sweeping the floor behind the counter. He looked up when he noticed them standing in the entrance.
“Sorry, we’re closed.”
She started to turn around, but Kerim’s hand gently squeezed her arm.
“We were hoping we could stay here for a bit. We really have nowhere to go right now,” he said.
The man behind the counter stopped sweeping and stared intently at them as Kerim continued with his story.
“She’s not feeling well. Something fell on her head during the earthquake. We just need a few moments.”
She touched her head, wincing slightly and hoped that it looked convincing.
The shop owner leaned the broom against the back wall and walked towards them, wiping his hands on his apron.
“It’s been a hell of a day,” he said. “Please come and sit at this table.”
He pulled back a chair and waited for Cristal to sit down.
“Do you want anything? Tea, coffee? An ice pack?”
As she sat down, she smiled and said, “I’m fine. Thanks for asking. I just need to rest a moment.”
“I’ll have an espresso,” Kerim added, winking at her as he sat down across the small table. “And how about an iced café for the lady?”
“Of course, no problem,” the owner said, and then walked back to the counter.