CLAWS WIDE OPEN

CHAPTER TWO

Outside of my apartment, the crisp New York air greeting me like a slap in the face. I hailed a cab on the corner of 5th Avenue, the bright yellow taxi screeching to a halt beside me.

"Where to, miss?" the driver asked, eyeing me in the rearview mirror.

"Café des souvenirs please. Upper West Side," I replied, settling into the worn leather seat.

The driver nodded, merging into the bustling traffic. I gazed out the window, watching the city come alive. The sun cast a golden glow over the towering skyscrapers, illuminating the steel and concrete jungle.

As we crossed into the Upper West Side, the scenery shifted from sleek high-rises to charming brownstones and quaint shops. The cab stopped in front of Café des souvenirs, its elegant awning and rustic façade a welcoming oasis amidst the urban chaos.

I paid the driver and stepped out,

*Café des souvenirs*

The sign above the door read "Established 1924."

I pushed open the door, and the bell above it rang out, announcing my arrival. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods enveloped me, immediately making me feel at ease.

Inside, the café's vintage charm enveloped me: dark wood accents, plush velvet sofas, and antique chandeliers. The soft hum of conversation and clinking cups filled the air.

As I scanned the cozy café, my nerves began to settle in. This was, after all, a blind date. Sarah's enthusiastic assurances echoed in my mind, but the grainy photo she'd shown me didn't exactly fill me with confidence.

Where was he? Tall, blonde hair, and blue eyes – that's all I had to go on..My gaze swept across the room, taking in the eclectic mix of patrons. A group of chattering students, a lone reader, and a couple embracing in the corner.

Then, I saw him.

Seated at a corner table, his profile stood out amidst the bustle. Strong jawline, sharp cheekbones, and a proude nose, all framed by perfectly messed blonde hair he was striking even from afar. He wore a crisp, light-grey button down shirt. Fitted to accentuate his lean physique, complemented by dark jeans and scuffed brown boots.

Taking a deep breath, I made my way toward him, my heels clicking softly on the wooden floor.

"Caleb?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

The man looked up, his piercing blue eyes locking onto mine. For a moment, our gazes held. "No, sorry," he said with a chuckle. "Wrong table, I think."

My face flushed, I turned to leave, feeling embarrassed. Too good to be true, anyway I thought. But then, I heard his voice behind me.

"Forgive me, Abigail."

I spun around, surprised. He stood up, his smile mischievous. "I play too much sometimes." I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"You looked like you were heading to a funeral," he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I wanted to lighten the mood."

My cheeks still warm, I smiled wryly. "Well, I guess I did look a bit somber."

He stepped closer, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "Abigail" he said, his voice low and smooth, "you're even more beautiful than I imagined."

My breath hitched. "Thank you" i said my voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded, his eyes never leaving mine.His gaze roamed over me, lingering on my lips, my neck, my shoulders. I felt a shiver run down my spine, equal parts attraction and unease.

Caleb gestured to the empty chair across from him. "Please, sit. I promise I won't disappear again."

I smiled, and took the seat .

"So, Abigail," Caleb said, his eyes crinkling at the corners, " Tell me. What brings you here today?"

His gaze was intense, yet warm. "Just a normal day, I suppose," I replied. "Work, then this... unexpected coffee date." I smiled going along.

Caleb's smile grew. "Unexpected?"

I shrugged. "Sarah's idea. She thought we'd hit it off."

Caleb leaned back, steepling his fingers. "And what do you think? Do you think we'll hit it off?" His question sent a flutter through my chest. There was something about him, a different type of charm.

"I think it's too early to tell," I said, trying to sound casual.

Caleb chuckled, his eyes glinting. "Fair enough. I'll have to convince you, then". His smile never wavered.

"As Caleb's gaze lingered on my lips, a shiver ran down my spine. The air seemed to thicken, and I felt a sudden unease.

"Caleb?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes?" His eyes snapped back to mine, his expression innocent.

"What do you do?" I asked, trying to shift the conversation.

Caleb's smile grew. "I collect things."

"Collect things?" I repeated

He leaned forward, his voice taking on a enthusiastic tone. "Yes, I scour estate sales, auctions, and hidden corners for rare and unusual items. Sometimes I stumble upon true gems, vastly undervalued. I restore them to their former glory and resell them for their true worth."

My interest was quipped "That sounds... exciting."

"It is! The thrill of the hunt, uncovering secrets, and giving new life to forgotten treasures."

The waiter arrived, breaking the spell. "Your orders, sir?" he asked.

Caleb leaned back, his smile still radiant. "Excellent timing. I'll have the espresso, please. And you, Abigail?"

"I'll have the café au lait, thank you," I replied.

As the waiter departed, Caleb's gaze returned to mine.

"I've found some incredible pieces over the years," he said, his enthusiasm infectious. "A rare 19th-century violin, a signed first edition of Dickens... Each find is a story waiting to be uncovered."

His eyes sparkled, but for a fleeting moment, I saw a glimmer of something else—something darker.

"And my latest find?" Caleb's voice dropped to a whisper .his eyes flashed with something primal, a glimmer of excitement "Something truly remarkable. A piece with a... complicated history."

My curiosity piqued, I leaned in.

"What is it?" I asked. Caleb's smile grew, but his eyes seemed to cloud.

"Sometimes, the best treasures are hiding in plain sight. You just need to know where to look," he said, his gaze drifting over me. I felt a shiver run down my spine.

"You mean, like a rare book or artifact?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light.

Caleb chuckled, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Oh, no. Much rarer than that. The kind of treasure that's been right in front of you all along," he said, his voice dripping with innuendo. " But Let's just say it's a rare artifact with a certain... allure. Some might call it cursed."

My heart skipped a beat. "Cursed?" I repeated.

Caleb chuckled. "Superstition, of course," he said, waving his hand dismissively. "But it's certainly... intriguing."

The waiter returned with our drinks, breaking the spell. As Caleb took his espresso, his fingers brushed against mine.Caleb leaned back, a sly smile spreading across his face.

I laughed awkwardly, trying to dispel the growing unease. "You're very mysterious, Caleb," I said.

Caleb's smile grew wider. "Perhaps," he said. "But I find that the most valuable things are often the ones we overlook." He leaned forward, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "Like a thread connecting two seemingly unrelated things," he whispered.

I forced a laugh uneasywith the intensity. "You're starting to sound like a conspiracy theorist."

Caleb's smile faltered for a moment before he laughed too. "Maybe I am," he said.

The tension dissipated, but the unease lingered. Caleb glanced at the menu. "Shall we indulge in some pastries?"

I nodded, grateful for the change in subject. "What's recommended?" I asked.

"The croissants are flaky, and the pain au chocolat is rich," Caleb said.

"I'll try the pain au chocolat," I replied.

"Excellent choice," Caleb said. "I'll have the same."

The waiter returned to take our food order. "We'll have two pain au chocolat, please," Caleb said.

"Right away," the waiter replied.

As they waited for their pastries, Caleb leaned back in his chair. "The thread I mentioned earlier," he said, "it's fascinating how easily it can be missed."

I raised an eyebrow. "What thread?" I asked.

Caleb smiled mischievously."Nothing," he said. "Just a collector's musings."

The waiter returned with our pastries and set them down."Enjoy," he said.

Caleb picked up his pastry. "To new discoveries," he said.

I echoed his toast. Trying to sound casual despite growing unease.

We talked a it more about safer topics, making sure to keep it light . I stayed for 10 more minutes. Lingering out of politeness.

Our eyes locked. "I should probably get going," I said, glancing at my watch.

"Already?" Caleb asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"I have a meeting this afternoon," I lied.

Caleb nodded, politely. "Of course. I'll walk you out."

We stood up, and Caleb helped me with my coat. As we stepped outside, I felt a sense of relief wash over me.

"Thank you for lunch," I said.

"The pleasure was mine," Caleb replied.

He leaned in, his lips brushing against my cheek. "Until next time Abigail" he whispered.

My skin crawled, it felt like a promise not a goodbye. I forced a smile. "Next time," I echoed.

As soon as Caleb turned away, I quickly hailed a taxi.

"Where to?" the driver asked.

"Anywhere but here," I muttered under my breath.

"Uptown or downtown?" he asked, chuckling.

"Uptown," I replied.

As the taxi drove away, I watched Caleb disappear into the crowd.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

But Caleb's words echoed in my mind

"Until next time Abigail.