Chapter 12: Cozy by The Fireplace

...AUSTIN POV...

There is more of a chill in the air this morning, winter is setting in, and the snow has taken over the town. It truly is a winter wonderland; that is if you are into the whole jolly season thing. People mostly celebrate it for all the wrong reasons. Christmas is a time for families, not 'let me see who can buy you the most expensive gift.'

So the cold is stopping me from taking my morning walk, but perhaps it is my dreary mood from yesterday. I told myself that I would not bring my irritation from yesterday into this morning. Yet I have, and that is about to increase itself. Guess what? She is phoning again.

"Morning Becky."

"Morning Ausi."

"It is Austin. What do you want?"

"Sorry I did not phone back last night."

"I did not expect you to. You never were good with things like...timing."

This has already been the longest three minutes of my life. There is a reason why people become your ex. In Becky's instance, there is a little more to the story and even with a twist. I have no idea what the woman wants, but she better tell me fast.

"Becky, why did you call?"

"I just wanted to see how you are doing."

"You don't do just. Guess you and what's his face did not work out."

"Uhm..."

"That is what I thought. Well I am not interested in taking you back."

"I still have some of your stuff here."

I have always been able to see through this woman, well maybe not the part where she left me at the altar. There is always an agenda after her motive. She is high maintenance without a label.

"Becky do you know what you can do with it?"

"Yes Ausi."

"Austin. Must I spell it for you? Now you can take that shit; sell it, burn it, donate it, I do not care. Oh and while you at it, you can lose my number."

"But Ausi, I would like to see you again."

"Becky, please do not phone me again."

Now Becky brings a special kind of rude out of me. And that is the rude that is dropping the call and making me switch my phone off. This woman has crawled under my skin, and it is not in a good way. I am raging; I can feel the anger burning my skin. The adrenaline is pumping through my veins. I am disappointed that I let her get to me. I should never have answered that phone.

So this is what makes me slip into the first thing that pops out of the closet; I don't even feel like wearing my favorite boots today. She broke me before, and just talking to her breaks me all over again. I need to go and clear my head.

And that is what finds me walking into Mr. Sinclair's shop just as the sun comes up. I make my way to the fireplace, as I always do on cold days such as this. But this is when I see her, I wish there is a part that does not hurt, for I so desperately want to talk to her again. I am drawn to her; maybe if I see her face, it would lighten up my somber mood.

As I stand behind her, I let her sweet scent of jasmine and vanilla consume my senses. I have never smelled a woman that smells this good, and by only that, she turns me into mush. I have to speak to her, but as I do, every single word that escapes my lips are rude. They are flowing so easily; I have to remind myself that it is not her that has done this. So with my head down a hole, I take a seat next to her.

"Ms. Knightley, I have to apologize for my behaviour, I am embarrassed that I spoke to you in such a disrespecting manner."

"You better be Mr. Pierce. I've done nothing but be nice to you. I don't deserve to be treated this way. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've come here to have some sanity of my own and enjoy my cocoa."

"Please, I feel like a complete jerk. I have taken my foul mood out on you, and you don't deserve it. Please, what can I do to make this up to you? You can slap me if that will make you forgive me."

But this does not stop me from growing a stupid smirk on my face; I was right; she is making me feel better even though I have been a complete asshole towards her. How does she even do that?

"I think that's the best idea you have had so far. Please go ahead, slap yourself."

I watch her bite down onto her bottom lip as she smiles at her remark. And boy, does that make my knees weak. The only thing that crosses my mind, I want to be the one that bites those lips.

Much to her amusement and shock she chuckles as I give myself on slap against my cheek that must be blushing now

"Shame, I didn't think you're going to do that, but it does make me feel better somehow."

"Well, Ms. Knightley, now that you watch me torture myself, how about I get you another cup?"

"Okay, Mr. Pierce, you have my attention. I'll take you up on your offer."

Much to my shock, my heart skips a beat; there is a familiar feeling that has been lying dormant in me that is suddenly starting to wake up. So it is with this bubbling that I go to Mr. Sinclair to get her cup just the way she likes it. And as I pass it to her slowly her fingers touch me softly and I swear I can almost die.

"So, are you going to tell me what makes a man like yourself get all raddled up like that?"

"Do you really want to listen to my sad stories? They are really not that interesting?"

"I bet it's not as sad as mine...Uhm..I mean, I don't mind listening."

I watch as her rosy cheeks slowly start turning a shade darker than before.

"Some people just have bad timing. Kind of got distracted with things I should not really spend my time with."

"Oh, well, then I should probably feel honored that you spend your valuable time with a girl like me?"

Suddenly, she jumps up from her seat and uncomfortably starts grabbing at her things, not even finishing her cup of cocoa.

"Wait! Why are you going? Did I say something wrong?"

"Uh...well, no...god no…you just make me...dammit, I'm sorry, I got to go."

"Will I see you tomorrow?"

She does not answer me and heads straight for the door. Without hesitating, I jump up and rush to the door. But as I step out onto the street, she is nowhere to be seen.

But then I hear a voice behind me saying something awfully rude about her...It takes me...One... Two... Three... Wham...