Finally, a few meters away from the wedding grounds.
Holding the box of the most special wedding cupcakes in one hand and a perfectly starched red dress and velvet high-heels in the other, I ran as fast as my feet could take me. My casual clothing and curly hair were humid with sweat, thus clinging to my body. It rolled down my skin in thick, salty beads. I could feel my heart throbbing inside my chest. My skin felt like it was roasting. "It's almost time-- but I'm almost there! Gladly the bride can be a bit late in the ceremonial walk!" As I went downtown towards the church where the ceremony was taking place, I couldn't help but to stop by my and Naomi's favorite coffee shop, the Pink Lady Cafe, after stumbling on a sign announcing a book signing. I tried to peek inside but the window was too thick and dark to let me see-through. I sighed in frustration. "Ugh-- Now, because of my insatiable curiosity, I have to take a minute and see who's the mysterious author since this stupid sigh doesn't say much!" I tried to balance everything in my arms while I tried to open the coffee door with my bum. It was a small, home-styled cafe with a lot of pink walls and decorations. And when I say a lot of pink, I mean a lot of pink.
The cafe was indeed crowded with people wanting and waiting in line to get an autograph from the author, but I immediately caught K's attention, the owner of the cafe, as soon as I set foot inside. "Sarah!" K energetically greeted me.
"K-K!" She looked stunning, as always; the silk dress she wore was a dark berry purple color, with a delicate heart-shaped cleavage and a long V-cut all the way to her lower back. The sleeves hung freely below her shoulders and the bottom of the dress pooled near her ankles.
"What are you doing here?! Shouldn't you be at the ceremony like... ages ago?? I bet Naomi is freaking out right now! You're her godmother, you should be the first one to arrive." K gently scolded seeking to understand why I was still roaming around when my best friend was about to get married.
"Y-Yeah... I had to take care of a few things first." and showed her what was inside the pastebox. "She'll forgive me once she has a bite of one of these!" I said confidently.
"I hope you're right, Sarah. This is kind of huge!" K closed her emerald-like eyes, crossed her arms under her semi-exposed bosom, and shook slowly her head. "You're hopeless."
"I know, I know... I was on my way when I saw that sign... you know how much I love books... but I could say the same about you, K!" I noted; hoping it didn't backfire at me. "Who's the author?" I asked deeply curious.
"Damien Scott" She replied.
"Who?" I frowned and bit my lower lip a bit ashamed for not recognizing the name.
"Don't you know? He's the newest best seller!" She clapped her hands, excitement, and a hint of proudness sparkling in her eyes.
"I... don't know who he is... what does he write about?" I asked; I genuinely didn't know him. Never heard of him.
"Child's Book." She answered my question first. "You don't know him? Oh, really~? Then, come, I'll introduce you! Here, grab a book!" Leaving me no room for protests, she grabbed me by the wrist and literally dragged me over to the signing table and right at the beginning of the queue. How could she move so fast having herself enwrapped in that tight dress?!
As we both got near him, K whispered something in his ear, I ended up staring in awe and stumble in my own words. "Er-r... I-I ... 'M-M...Y-You... sign... b-book, could?" He was 5'10 tall, had ginger hair and the most uncanny and beautiful eye color, bluish with violet rays spread all across his iris. He was wearing a dark red shirt with a tan jacket over it, some white jeans, and a red high-top chucks.
He chuckled softly, "Well, but of course." then, smiled warmly, reminding me of the soft summer breeze and the sun itself.
What a nice guy. I thought to myself as I melted like butter under the scorching sun.
He stretched his arms and reached for the book in my arms, removing it so gently that made the movement seem so lingering. Despite the trance I was in, I could hear all those mommies' in line complaining in the background.
"Dear Damien, this is Sarah Anderson, a huge fan of yours!" K's lips quirked upwards in a joyous smile as she talked. "She was just dying to meet you! Isn't she a cutie??" She pinched my cheeks and started making funny expressions on my face.
"K! Shh-- don't--" I whispered to her. "I-I wouldn't say that-that I am a huge fan-- I don't even know what the book is all ab--"
"Oh so, have you read it? What do you think? Did you like the concept of it? And, what did you thought about the drawings? Do you think they're drawn the right way? Any critics?" At this point, he had gotten up and was holding my hands together. He was deliriously happy, giddy even; he wore the facial expression of a small child under the Christmas free wanting to open his presents before time.
"Go ahead, talk to heart's content!" K waved her hand in the air satisfied with the instant click and then went away to deal with her business.
I held my breath behind pursed lips. What do I answer?! I haven't really read them... Ugh-- why this always happens to me?
He waited patiently to hear my thoughts on his recent manuscript, however, as I opened my mouth to say something surely stupid and inappropriate, I caught some white noise so, I turned slightly my head to the side and gazed around.
"I can't believe this. Can't you believe this?! There's a line okay?!"
"Yeah, I get what you mean. She comes here with the owner and thinks she's above us all!"
"How dare she?"
"Awwe, I how to wish to be her shoes right now~"
"Yeah... just to touch him like that~"
"He's so cute! I just wanna take him home and take good care of him!"
"Hey, to end of the line with you! Some of us are here for hours!"
"Yeah! Shoo-- out already!"
Instantly, I removed my hands from his and averted my gaze, tugging a strand of hair behind my ear. "I should go... There's a gang of angry moms back there. Besides, I have somewhere else to be but, thanks for the autograph and hum..." I grabbed my book from the table and, before leaving him standing there confused, I made a slight bow with my head. "It was really nice to meet you. Now, if you excuse me." And, finally abandoned the line, which made all the moms cheer in delight.
K caught me middle-way. "Going already?"
"Yeah... I'll see myself out!" I said, eyes looking askance.
"Sarah?" She frowned, concerned.
"See you at the wedding, K." As soon as I exited the cafe a hand caught my arm, which made me turn back.
"Won't you stay a bit more?" The author asked.
I stared at his features amazed at how he seemed so familiar to me but, no words came out of my mouth to reply to his question.
"Hello? Did the cat eat your tongue?" He chuckled in amusement.
I shook out of my stupor, forcing my consciousness back to reality. "I need to be at a wedding right now... It's my best friend's... I'm the godmother and I'm so fricking late!" once again, I laughed loudly to hide my nervousness. "She's so gonna kill me"
"Oh! Congrats to your friend!" He lively shook my hand.
I kindly smiled back to him, "Thanks! But, now I really have to run!"
"Sure" He dropped my hand, letting it go so gently it was as if he longed for its touch for such a long time ago; I observed that action with a curious look in my eyes. "Hey..."
"Hm?" I glanced back up at him again.
"We do not remember days, we remember moments." He said. "Even if life tries to keep some secrets from us, love will remember. Love is the key to everything."
"What?" My mind was blown by how those words made sense but at the same time didn't.
His soft lips stretched into a thin smile. "Soon, you'll understand. Now go, have some fun!"
I blinked confused. "Uh... okay? B-Bye." I turned away and started walking. For a brief second, I looked back and observed him waving happily to me; he knew more than he was telling but, I guess I had to figures that out on my own. I sighed resigned. What a strange day I was having.
To be continued.