Since then, hehad come to his senses, thank God. He had simply been toopreoccupied to return it before now. Besides, downtown Kingstonwasn’t exactly on his list of favourite places to hang out. All hewanted now, was to return the bracelet and get his money back.Having the silly little trinket in his coat pocket only served toremind him of what an idiot he’d been that day.
Every now andthen he would find it in his pocket to then scoff at the very sightof it. Such a miserable delicate bauble. As if Gracie would likesuch a thing. His ex-girlfriend would have only laughed in hisface, and rightly so. Gracie was as far from delicate as a womancould be. Besides, there was absolutely nothing Goth about it. Infact, it was just about the girliest bracelet he had ever seen.
Looking around,he spotted a café next door and decided to go in. God forbidsomeone see him lurking in front of a jewellery shop like apathetic love-struck fool. Perhaps a good strong cup of coffee wasexactly what he needed. He may as well take the time to formulate aplan, too. He needed to think of something very quickly.
Crispin wastruly at a loss. He was running out of time and patience. He knewwhat he needed to do, but he didn’t have a clue as to how to goabout it. He’d tossed and turned all night thinking. Where could hego? He could just drive off to Toronto but that would only bringback memories of his recent trip with his housemates. He neededsomething different, a place he’d never been. A place that held noemotional ties for him to dwell on.
Spring breakwas only a week away and there was no way in hell he would survivehanging around the House of Goths while his lusty housemates, Kelland Becky, had their way with each other. No doubt, Dorian and hisgirlfriend, Heather, would be just as unbearable to be around.Having to witness all that domestic bliss would surely killhim.
As it was, hehad become way too attached to Becky and his bandmates already. Asmuch as he loved them all, yes, even Keegan, in order to survive,he would have to distance himself. Being around them only made himweak and vulnerable to the inevitable. Surely, one day, he would beasked to vacate the premises for good. As much as Becky reassuredhim otherwise, he knew better. Once again, he would find himself onhis own. It was his destiny to be alone. There was no point inpretending.
As it was, moreand more, he had been looking for reasons to leave the house. Hedidn’t need to be reminded of his reality as the pathetic eternalbachelor. With that unpleasant thought in his head, Crispin enteredthe café with a scowl on his face and made his way directly to thecounter.
Realizing his abrupt arrival had caused everyone to look hisway, he paused. Good Lord, look at themgawking. It shouldn’t surprise him since heoften drew attention to himself given his appearance. Of course,sometimes it was for being recognized as the singer for his band,the Kingston Quartet. That, he didn’t mind so much. He quiteenjoyed running into the odd fan. Perhaps that is why they werelooking. More likely, though, it was because of his gloriousGothness. Well, fuck them, let them stare.Let them eat their mundane hearts out.
With an air of contempt, he glared around at the faces in thesmall café. It was at that moment his eyes locked upon the veryreason for his coming down here. Staring back at him, sat the girlfrom the jewellery shop. The clerk who had beguiled him to buy thesilly little bracelet in the first place. How opportune a situation! He wouldjust have to tell her that he had changed his mind and wanted hismoney back. If she gave him an issue, he would simply claim thatshe had pressured him into buying the damn thing.
After orderinghis cup of dark roast with an added espresso shot, Crispin took hisbeverage and approached her. The moment he got close enough, heinstantly remembered why he had been so easily swayed to buy thebracelet. He hadn’t known at the time what he was looking for. Hesimply wanted to purchase a gift. Even Becky hadn’t been much helpthat day. It was this young lady who had compelled him with thatvery same look in her eyes as she now had.
“Pardon me, young miss. Is this seat taken?”
Not giving hera chance to answer, he sat down in the chair across from her at thevery small table. When she said nothing, he flashed her his mostcharming smile. He could be a bastard or he could be the charmer.In her case, the charmer seemed the most appropriate. There wasdefinitely something about this girl that called upon that side ofhim. When he had first approached her, he was ready to be thebastard. To lash out at her, was first and foremost in hisdefensive nature. He was ready to be his usual intense demandingself and get to the point. His only business here was to return thebracelet and get his money back. But from the moment his eyes methers, he’d caught himself. The look she gave him was not one offear of his Gothness, but one of awe and that was a look he couldnever get enough of. If he read her correctly, he would have tosweet talk her. Maybe even make her feel sorry for him. Perhaps itwould be the best way to get this over with.
When she didn’trespond, he leaned in closer. “Speak up, I can’t hear you.”
“S-sorry, yes, of course, please sit.” Snapping out of hermomentary stupor, Gwen scrambled to gather her scattered notes intoa folder. For a moment, she had been gobsmacked. It was like he hadmaterialized out of her musings. Just as the first time, she laideyes on him, she couldn’t keep her heart from racing.
“Studying for exams?” He quirked an eyebrow. While he waitedfor her to answer, he took the opportunity to read her bodylanguage
