AN: This is technically not a new story. It's a continuation of the one shot "That Chin" from Opposites. I've been meaning to put it in a new story category.
If you've already read "That Chin" then you've already read the first chapter. There's just a few differences with the ending in this version. I'll leave "That Chin" in Opposites. This is just if you wanted that story line to continue. ;P
Honestly, I need a wacky story to work on. Helps me get through the others, strangely enough. Don't ask me why; I don't know. XD
This is an AU and they're a little older than in the series.
PW
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The smoothie and sandwich shop in Cape Mary's business end of town was going through the usual lunch hour rush.
Sora was used to it by now.
"So two turkey bacon sandwiches and three smoothies," the redhead added the total as she talked, "and what flavors do you want the smoothies to be?"
The guest hummed as he looked over the selection. Sora patiently waited as he looked. Meanwhile, her co-worker Rosetta set down some orders ready for pick up. In the corner of her eye, Sora saw her friend discretely lean over to her.
"He's back."
Sora gave a quick look down the line and saw the silver haired man.
He was in his twenties, broad shouldered even with the coat on and short, but stylish hair that could be found even in the dark of night, she mused. He started coming to their shop a few weeks back, but Sora felt like she's seen him elsewhere. It wasn't the striking hair or grey eyes that made her think so. Not even his tall height or designer clothing.
It was his chin that looked familiar to her.
Well, chin and jawline. But even so, it was so strange that those were the features that caught her attention whenever she saw him. Until I can figure out where I've seen him before, I don't think I'll be able to notice anything else.
"The 'Tropical Dream' sounds good."
Sora brought her attention back to the guest in front of her. "Ok and is that for all of them?"
The guest nodded and she told him the total.
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Idly, Rosetta noted the trail of dreamy sighs as the silver haired man sat down at a table.
He only started eating in last week. She still wasn't sure why he stopped taking his food to go. Sora went over to the sandwich station and started on his order.
"I just can't remember!" Sora groused as loud as she dared to her friend.
Rosetta tossed in some blueberries into the blender. "Maybe you just happened to cross paths somewhere?"
Sora hmmed, but Rosetta could tell she wasn't ok with that explanation. "It's just - that chin! Why is the bottom half of his face the part I recognize the most?"
Rosetta shrugged, but then grinned as an idea came to her. "Maybe you want to kiss him."
Sora squeaked, but the sound of the blender covered it over.
The sound of the bell alerted them to a customer. Sora gladly finished up the sandwich and set the plate aside for Rosetta to deliver. With what the teen said, Sora didn't think she could face him right now. She wiped her hands on a towel and smiled as she walked to the register.
"Hi Mia! Here for the usual?"
The bright eyed writer smiled back. "You know it! Work's still pretty busy right now, what with the publication date coming up."
"Your first novel right? Congratulations!"
Mia blushed at the attention but was inwardly proud. "Thanks! It took me a while writing it, so I hope it comes out well received."
"I'm sure it will," Sora cheered as she rang Mia up. "So what genre is your book?"
At that, Mia looked secretive. When the writer made a finger motion for Sora to lean closer, Sora complied but with a quizzical tilt of her head. Mia cupped her hand a little and whispered.
"It's a romance novel."
Sora jerked back a little. "R-Romance?"
Mia mischievously grinned. "You know, like those ones with buffed out guys and opened shirts - if any shirts on."
"O-oh."
"I can give you a copy when it comes out, if you'd like."
Sora's cheeks tinted. "Ah, no that's ok."
Mia tilted her head. "Are you sure? I don't mind and - oh! I wrote it under a pen name. I should write it down for you." Before Sora could protest, Mia whipped out a pen and one of her business cards. "Let me know what you think when it comes out!"
Sora hoped it would be a long time for its release.
After Mia left, Rosetta came over, having heard most of the conversation. "Are you going to read it?"
Sora shrugged and then went over to rinse the blender out.
PW
A few days later, Sora forgot about the romance novel and found herself extremely frustrated.
This is ridiculous!
The chin mystery was finally wearing down on her nerves, especially now that the man now sat with his face in her direction. Every time she looked up, she saw him and his chin. Any other woman on the planet would have focused on his eyes, or maybe even on the little peaking of chest that showed through the open collared shirt.
Today, the mystery was going to end.
As soon as she saw that his plate was empty, she went around the counter to pick it up. He was reading a magazine so she couldn't see his chin. Drat! She picked up the plate and then cleared her throat.
He continued to read.
"Ah, Excuse me?" She inwardly cheered when actual words got him to lower the magazine. "Is there anything else you would like?"
"Hm." He took a look down at the magazine in his hands. "Curious word - anything."
"Sir?"
"Leon," he said. "Sir is too old." He closed the magazine and placed it on the table. Then, after interlacing his fingers, he spoke again. "Why do you only stare at me?"
"W-what?"
"Why had you not approached me before?" he re-worded. "By the way you look at me, I take it you have seen me outside of this place."
Sora stammered and then nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Have you seen me before?"
"No."
She deflated a little at his one word answer. She had hoped that if he could tell her where they ran into each other, then she could put her curiosity to rest. She caught movement and noticed that he was leaning forward.
"If I had," he murmured, "this would not have been our first meeting."
By the way his eyes appraised her and the languid manner in which he sat, she gulped a little as the insinuation made her mouth dry.
That expression...
She could almost see it now. "Your chin," she absentmindedly said out loud as she thought. His chin had been in a profile as his lips were in a cross between a roguish grin and a seductive smile and his shirt had been a lot more open than how he wore his shirt on other days; the opened shirt from back then revealing most of his pectorals and abs...
Her eyes widened as she realized where she had seen him before.
"What about my chin?" he asked, his head slightly tilted in befuddlement.
"Ah, no, never mind!" She squeaked out and then quickly pivoted on her right foot with his empty plate in hand. Without looking back, she put the dish in the sink and hung her apron.
"Bathroom!" she alerted Rosetta and then disappeared before Leon could ask her any other questions.
PW
Sora waited a good fifteen minutes before emerging from the bathroom.
Rosetta sent her a questioning look, but the red head was too busy looking around to see it. When she noted that the place was indeed short one silver haired customer, she relaxed.
Good, he's gone.
She'd be too embarrassed to say where she recognized him from.
PW
Her shift ended and Sora picked up her shoulder bag from behind the counter.
"See you Wednesday!"
Rosetta waved and said goodbye.
Sora hummed as she walked over to the bike rack, simultaneously fishing out the key for the bike locks. As her hand went inside, it noticed the absence of a certain rectangular object.
"What?" She paused in order to look better, one hand grabbing her phone and wallet as her eyes took in the mostly empty bag. "Shoot," she said under her breath. "Did I drop it inside?"
She really hoped she didn't.
More than a little frantic, she turned around to re-enter the shop only to spot a figure leaning against the side of the building with a very familiar book in hand, the cover of a man in a loose shirt tilting the petite chin of a woman in a bright red dress. The top halves of both figures' faces were cut off, but she'd recognize the man's strong chin and jawline anywhere.
She slapped her hand over her mouth to cover up her sound of mortification.
"This was one of my earlier works," Leon mused aloud as he turned the page. "About two or so years ago, I believe."
"You wrote that?" she blurted out, but then clamped her mouth shut as he raised a brow.
"No, I only did the cover modeling." He shut the book. "I get better offers nowadays."
"Ah," she said as if she completely understood. "So, ahem. I need to be going and I'm sure you've got a photo shoot somewhere or something - " She cut off as he moved, his steps sure and silent. Her heart thudded, not knowing what was going to happen.
When he offered the book back, she felt relieved and slightly disappointed.
"See you around," he paused to read her name tag, "Sora."
"Ah, yeah. See ya."
He walked away.
That was just crazy! She let out a breath and then proceeded to put the book back in her bag when she noticed that there was something between the pages. A pen... She opened the book to see that he had written on the inside cover.
'If you ever feel like re-enacting the scene on page 52, do not hesitate to contact me.
-Leon Oswald.'
"Page 52?" She flipped through the book, seeing that his business card was marking the page. As she read, her cheeks grew red from recollection of the steamy bedroom scene between the two lovers. She eeped and quickly closed the book, the action making his card drop to the ground. She bent over to pick it up and noticed there was something handwritten on the back.
'Page 89 would be better in the shower.'
She quickly dropped the book and card as if they burned her.
"Oh. My. Goodness!"
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AN: Got the idea while walking through the library. XD
I changed her reaction at the end to better fit what I have in mind. heh heh heh...
