Would You Fall Too?

Placing another book on the shelf, Emilie sighed to herself, wondering just how much longer she had left of her shift. She loved her job, the bookstore was a quiet and pleasant place to work and often kept her out of the way of people, but that day, she was a little anxious to get out. It had been a few weeks, since the night where Sergio had questioned her personality, they’d scaled back their conversations to once a week, but that didn’t mean she didn’t get slightly excited at the prospect of seeing him again. It unsettled her, despite her original hesitations, Sergio seemed to have wormed his way into her affections and she didn’t quite know how to deal with it. She hadn’t want to let him in, she didn’t tend to do well with strangers, but there was something about him that seemed to make it easier. He was charming, even if he didn’t appear to be trying to be, and Emilie couldn’t help but be a little taken with him, even if she was trying not to be. He seemed to have a knack.

Placing the next book on the shelf, Emilie peeked down at her watch, smiling a little as she saw that it was nearly time to call it a day. It was only dinner, Sergio had promised to buy her favorite takeout, but Emilie was still a little excited about it, even if she was trying her hardest not to let it show. They were still awkward, she couldn’t recall a conversation with him that hadn’t featured her awkwardly interrupting him or him trying his best to keep it going despite her reluctance to speak, but it was something she had come to like. She was under no illusions, Sergio could have any girl that he wanted and there was no way that he was going to go for her, but she liked that he was making an effort with her.

Other than Isla and a couple of others, not many had bothered to make an effort with her in years.

~#~
“You’re late” Sergio quipped as he lifted his head, offering Emilie a small smile from his seat on her front door step. He hadn’t been there long, only a few minutes, but he couldn’t resist the opportunity to tease her a little. He wanted the night to get off to a light hearted start and not the awkward one he’d become accustomed to. He didn’t know why he was so drawn to her, Emilie was nothing like the usual type of girl he found himself growing attached to, but he couldn’t help but find himself a little intrigued by her. She was fascinating, if a little hard to get to know, and he wanted to make the effort with her.

“You’re sitting on my doorstep” Emilie replied “Is there a reason for that?” she added.

“I was waiting for you. I have food and a couple of DVDs and normally you’re home by now” Sergio mused, gesturing to the bag which sat at his side, a familiar set of takeout boxes poking out of the plastic.

Emilie shook her head. “Are you sure that you don’t keep tabs on me, Sergio?” she posed, stepping around him so that she could unlock the door “You seem to be strangely aware of my schedule” she added.

Sergio shook his head. “I’m merely observant” he quipped, pushing himself up to his feet “Mondays and Wednesdays you seem to come home later, but the rest of the week, you’re home by now” he explained.

Emilie blushed a little. It was a small detail, but she was a little touched that Sergio knew it. Shaking her head, she pushed the door open and padded inside, Sergio following along behind her. “How was work?” he posed, moving through to the kitchen to plate up.

“I stack books for a living” Emilie replied, moving to pour them some water from the jug she kept in the fridge “It’s never been the most exciting thing” she added.

“But you like it” Sergio reasoned “It might not be exciting to me, but it clearly is to you” he added, settling a plate down on the table ahead of her.

Emilie shook her head gently. “It’s quiet” she mused gently “I’m out of the way of people and with very few customers, I have plenty of time to sit around and read. It’s not the most fascinating job on earth…”

“But you like it” Sergio repeated, flashing her a smile.

Emilie nodded her head. “I do” she admitted softly “You must find it quite boring” she added.

“I like listening to you talk about it” Sergio shrugged, placing a forkful of food into his mouth “It seems to be one of the few topics that you talk about with an actual smile on your face” he enthused gently.

Emilie shook her head. “I am not that bad” she protested gently.

“Yes, you are” he teased “But for what it is worth, after almost 6 weeks of awkward dinners, I am probably starting to get used to it” he smiled.

Emilie blushed. “You’re the one who keeps coming here” she murmured.

Sergio smiled. “It’s not a bad thing, Emilie” he noted, catching onto how defensive she had become “I like coming by” he quipped.

Emilie shook her head gently. She doubted she would ever put of her finger on why he seemed so happy to be around her, or why she seemed so content to let him be.

~#~
Letting out a little yawn, Sergio collected the remote from the side of the couch, quietly flipping off the TV. It was late, after their dinner, he and Emilie had sat down to watch a couple of films, and he was a little amazed that she had let him stay for as long as she had. It was still strange, after he’d pushed her on her behavior, they’d taken a couple of steps back and Sergio was working to get them back on track. He didn’t want to push her, after that night, he’d learnt that it was something it was going to take time, and he was pleased that she hadn’t pushed him away entirely.

Stretching, he moved to say goodbye to Emilie, but stopped himself, smiling at her sleeping form. She looked cute, her hair had fallen over her face and her snores were soft and wispy, and for a second, he thought about the prospect of waking up to her in the morning. He knew that it was still soon, Pilar’s rejection had left quite a mark and he wasn’t about to use Emilie to rebound with, but looking at her, he was left with little doubt that he could get used to it. She was sweet, even if she was trying not to be, and he wanted a shot with her, even if he knew he had to wait for it.

Smiling, he gently lifted her feet out of his lap and settled them down on the couch, moving to collect the throw which had been placed over the back. Placing it over her, he offered her a small gander before he tentatively placed a kiss on her forehead. “Buenos noches, Emilie” he murmured. Emilie stirred a little, but didn’t wake up, affording him the chance to slip out of the house, hoping that it wouldn’t be long before he had the chance to be back inside.