(Vals’ POV)
I wake to a warm but empty bed, I guess Johnny has only just recently woken up too. As the house is quiet I know that he has left, probably gone to his new office to start work. The last two days have been wonderful, just us and the other members exploring the local area again. We ended up spending a lot of time on the beach, last night we had a BBQ on the beach and watched the sunset which was fun.
I sigh, time to get up and get ready. I crawl out of bed, never been a morning person, and head to the shower. I feel refreshed and ready for the day afterwards, I then put on a deep red dress which sits just above the knee, tights, flat shoes and finish the look off with my hair in a ponytail and a black blazer.
I head to the kitchen where I make myself a slice of toast before washing up and heading out the front door. I stand there for a few minutes, just looking at the beauty of the place. The trees are different greens with the grass and flowers just making it look like a picturesque location in an exotic place rather than almost in the middle of nowhere near the sea.
I rush out of the door, I am not exactly late but I am pressed for time. I get a lift from Debbie into town and then I have a good 15 minute walk to the court house, and I only have 20 minutes to do it in and make it to the court room.
******************************
I trip over my own feet in my hurry to get to the court house for the meeting, I lose my balance and end up falling on top of a guy with black hair and blue eyes, well-built and must be in his early 30’s.
I climb off of him and then hold my hand out to him to help him stand up, our eyes meet as he begins to stand. I get a weird feeling fill me, almost like I’m safe but in danger at the same time.
“I apologise for tripping you up, please let me make it up to you.”
“It’s ok, that teaches me for standing on the path instead of to the side while trying to get my bearings. How can you make it up to me?” He asks me curiously
“Well, I could buy you a new cup of coffee to replace the one I accidently spilt all over you.” It’s the least I could do, I mean if I had been watching where I was going the poor guy wouldn’t have coffee all down his shirt.
“I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you my dear, its ok. I was almost finished it anyway.” I smile slightly at his response, so he is handsome and also funny.
“Are you kidding me? I spilt what looks like almost a whole cup over you. Please let me make it up to you. Look I need to go as I have a meeting but how about I buy you a coffee afterwards? I’ll meet you at the coffee shop over there in about three hours?” I point to my favourite coffee shop, they do the best hot chocolate and cookies, but I have heard that their coffee is good too.
“Ok, I’ll meet you there in there hours.”
“Thank you.” I walk away, but then I realise that I had not told him my name, how was he supposed to get my attention in the café? So I stop and turn around, “by the way, I’m Val.”
“Nice to meet you Val. I’m Xavier” I gasp, that name sounds so familiar. It’s the name of my best friend from childhood, but this man could not be him. I mean his hair is black and he has bright blue eyes but Xavier was a small wolf cub with black fur and blue eyes. Unless he too was a…. no of course not, he would have changed in front of me and we could have spent time together as humans going to movies or the arcades. No, the Xavier I knew was a wolf, wasn’t he?
******************************
Three Hours Later
I have just sat down at my favourite table in the café, right in the window so I can watch people pass by and the wildlife of the city be free. I start to eat my cookie while I wait for my hot chocolate to cool down so it is drinkable. I have ordered a black coffee with milk on the side and two sugars just encase Xavier turns up but I don’t think he will. It’s not like I’m being weird or anything, I found this café a few days ago and ever since if I am in town I have come to this café. I used to come to this café all the time when I lived here previously.
I am half way through my cookie when the seat opposite me is pulled out and Xavier sits down. I watch as he adds milk and both sugars to the coffee before looking up and smiling at me.
“How did you know?”
“Hmm?” I respond, confusing crossing my face.
Xavier points to his coffee, “That I like two sugars and milk.”
“Oh, just a guess.” I take a bite of my cookie. “I wasn’t sure you’d show.”
“Why did you think that?” Xavier takes a sip of his coffee, a small smile gracing his lips.
“Well a total stranger bumps into you and then offers to buy you coffee.”
“If the roles were reversed would you have shown up?”
“Yes, but then that’s because of my curious nature.” I respond, finishing off my cookie. I may be polite but when it comes to cookies from this place nothing comes in between, not even Johnny and he tried the other day.
Xavier and I continue chatting, getting to know each other. It’s weird, but I feel comfortable with him, not like when I am with Johnny but rather like when you’re with an old friend.
Xavier stands, “Thank you for the coffee and the chat, I have enjoyed it Val. I hope to do this again sometime.”
I smile at him, reaching for my blazer. “Yes, only next time you’ll have to bump into me to make us even.”
We start to laugh as we leave the café. We wave goodbye to each other and I start the walk back to our cottage, the walk will take about 45 minutes to an hour but I am looking forward to the walk. It has been so long since I have had anytime to myself, I am either with Johnny, at work or with friends.
About 25 minutes into my walk home and I am on the outskirts of town I see the back of someone I know, I stop dead. Before me stands Xander, it looks like he is looking for someone. For a brief moment I hope that he turns around and sees me, until I watch as a girl runs up to him and wraps her arms around him. I smile, it appears he has found another mate and I am pleased for him. I watch as they part and he wraps his arm around her shoulder, pulling her too him. I wait until they are a bit further away before I turn and continue on my journey home. I do not turn around. If I had, I would have seen Xander turn and look back at me.