Her Protector

Chapter 4: Butterflies

Traffic was light today and I made it to work with about 20 minutes to spare. I decided to go to the café for my favorite sandwich. The café is usually a little busier before normal business hours, so I had to wait in line. As I stood there, I scanned the room for my favorite seat and luckily it was vacant. I sat down quickly after placing my order, scrolling through my phone to pass the time. The door opened and I looked up without thinking. The same guy from yesterday came strolling in. I averted my eyes. He wasn’t going to catch me staring this time. As he was placing his order, mine was being called. ‘Great, I get to be awkwardly close to him again!’, I thought to myself as I stood up to grab my food.

“How are you today?”

I heard someone from behind me. Standing there was the guy from yesterday, smiling brightly at me.

“Oh, I’m good. I hope you’re well too.”

I didn’t want to have a conversation at the counter. I got back to my seat and started eating. Although I found him attractive, I wasn’t interested. I sat down and felt like I was being watched. I kept my eyes on my food but took a quick look around to see where this guy was. He was close. Our eyes met. I blushed and looked away. He stood up and I thought he was going to come to my table. Instead, he went for his order. I exhaled a sigh of relief. I was halfway through my sandwich when I looked up to see this mystery guy standing near my table.

“Do you mind if I join you?” He asked.

He seemed a little nervous. I didn’t have the heart to turn him down. It didn’t hurt that he was damn good looking from the front.

“Ummmm…sure.”

He immediately sat down with his food.

“Thanks for letting me sit with you. I was sure you would turn me away. A woman as beautiful as you must have a hard time finding some peace.”

“Oh, you’re a comedian!” I said with a laugh.

“Hardly. I work with my hands. My name is Khalil, by the way. And you are…”

“Kelis. It’s nice to meet you Khalil.”

“Likewise, Kelis. That’s a beautiful name. Do you live around here? I’ve noticed you come here often.”

“So, you’ve been watching me?” I said with a playful questioning tone.

“Well not like a stalker, but I’ve seen you a few times. I suppose yesterday was the first time you noticed me.” He explained.

“I suppose you’re right. I don’t normally look for people here.”

“Well, I don’t either. It’s just…you’d have to be blind not to notice someone like you.”

I hid my face behind my sandwich. I had only seen Khalil once yesterday and today he’s showering me with compliments. It’s not something I was used to, and I didn’t know what to say in response, so I just laughed nervously.

“I really should be going. I have to get to work. It was nice of you to introduce yourself. I guess the next time I see you we won’t be strangers.”

“Thank you for obliging my request, Kelis. I’m glad we won’t be strangers anymore. Maybe I’ll see you around?” he asked eagerly.

“Well, this is my favorite spot downtown so I’m sure you will. I mean…I guess you’ve seen me here a few times already, right?”

I stood and winked at him. He sighed as if he had been caught and put his hands up.

“You got me there. Well, Kelis, I’ll be seeing you around, I guess. Have a wonderful day, beautiful.”

He stood up with me. I felt like I should shake his hand or even give him a hug, but I didn’t really know this guy.

“Thanks for the compliment, Khalil. You’re not too shabby yourself.”

Was I flirting? I hadn’t done this in so long.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

He winked back at me. I said goodbye and headed to the bank with a little pep in my step. I was getting that giddy feeling again.