She was surprised that the shop was so empty – she had thought that since the book was an award winner, there would be a crowd of people there already. She wasn't nervous to speak to the guy exactly – it wasn't like he was a movie star or something, and he didn't seem intimidating. He was cute though. Out of her league, now – she knew she looked like a wreck. She ran her hand through her hair, actually glad she had let her friends dye it. She looked down at her scruffy chucks and worn out jeans, and gripped the book tightly. She hadn't looked at a guy this way in three months, and somehow doing it now made her feel guilty. She examined him – he was wearing jeans and chucks too – his jeans were newer though. He caught her looking, and she blushed. She walked over to the table where he was sitting, super relaxed, with his feet up on the corner of it.

"Hi," he said, with a smile. It was cute, and she liked the way his eyes smiled too. "I'm Rick."

"Kate," she said.

"I see you have my book, Kate. Have you read it?"

Kate looked embarrassed. "I haven't finished it – but I love it so far."

He laughed. "Don't be embarrassed. I don't think many people have read as much as you have. Would you like me to sign it?"

He watched her curiously. She looked as though she was incredibly sad, but she was trying very hard to cover it up. And she was beautiful – although her eyes were full of pain. Rick didn't usually go for complicated girls – he had money now, from the book, and the award. Although this signing wasn't busy, the earlier ones had – the book had been out for over 2 months now, and he was only here because it was a choice between that and going to see his mother in a play.

Kate handed him the book, nodding, and trying as hard as she could to smile. She didn't manage, but he appreciated the effort. "Is there anything particular you'd like me to write?"

The way he said it gave Kate confidence. "Surprise me," she said. This made him like her even more – there was a fun girl in there somewhere. He wondered what was wrong. He hid what he was writing from her, scribbling on the inside page. When he was done, he signed his name with flourish, closed the book, and handed it to her. He smiled, and she walked out of the shop. When she was out of sight, she opened the book to see what he had written, expecting something generic and meaningless. She gasped when she saw what he had written.

Kate,

You are by far the most interesting person who has wanted me to sign their book. I hope you enjoy the ending. Also, you look like you could use a milkshake – strawberry, right? I know a place – if you're still outside the door in five minutes when I come out, let's sneak off and I'll take you.

Love,

Rick.

She leaned against the wall. It couldn't hurt, could it? He was nice. She was messed up, and scared, and miserable, and part of her just wanted to run away and hide. But she couldn't do that for ever – and maybe he would be able to distract her with his talking like he had done with his writing. He had been right too – strawberry shakes were her favourite.

Rick opened the door, hoping she would be there but afraid that he had scared her off. When he saw her, he grinned again, and she managed a small smile back.

"I'm glad you waited."

"I'm glad you asked me to."

Rick's mind was always on mysteries – he wrote them for a living. But this girl was a mystery he didn't know the answer to. He smiled at her again, trying to glean some information from her face, but she didn't give much away.

"It's not far – would you like to walk?"

Kate nodded, and they walked side by side. The sun was shining, but Kate shivered involuntarily. Rick looked at her. "Are you okay? Maybe you're coming down with something?"

"No, I don't think so. I just feel cold sometimes."

Rick wished he had a jacket he could give her, but it was a warm day. There were goose bumps on her arms, and he looked around. They were walking past a clothes store.

"Hold on a second," he said, and nipped inside. He wondered how he could get her something – she wouldn't just accept a cardigan or something – he had the money, but he could tell she wasn't that kind of girl. He had a brainwave. He bought a zip-up hoodie in his own size – a batman one. He wanted one anyway. She was waiting for him outside the store.

"Sorry – I just remembered I wanted to get one of these." He held up the hoodie. "Would you mind carrying it for me?"

She laughed, and he shook it out, putting it on her. He was funny – and she felt much better wrapped up in the soft material. When he had put it on her, he had stroked her shoulders, and scooped her hair so it was outside. It had felt nice, having him touch her. Her dad wasn't a hug person, not now – she had always had her mother to hug her. In fact, she hadn't had a hug in three months. Which was crazy.

The hoodie was much too big – it was obvious that it was Rick's. Walking along with her, he noticed this, and liked the thought of people seeing that she was with him. They reached the little diner which in Rick's opinion, made the best milkshake in California. They sat down in a booth, and Rick asked her what she wanted. When she said a strawberry shake, he laughed in surprise.

"Seriously? I was just joking. You really like them?"

"Yeah – always have. I used to..." she trailed off. She had been about to say that she used to get them with her Mom on the weekends. They would go to a museum, or a gallery, or the park, and then they would go out for a milkshake afterwards. Her Mom was often very busy with work, but she had always made time for their Saturday thing – she might miss dinner every night of the week – but Saturday mornings had always been Kate's. This had stopped when Kate went to college, of course, but it had been a big part of her childhood.

Rick wisely didn't ask what she had been about to say. In his experience, women who trailed off when they were speaking didn't like to be pushed for information. They usually told you when they were ready, anyway.

He went and ordered two strawberry shakes, and a giant hot chocolate fudge brownie sharing dessert. When he brought it to the table, complete with two spoons, Kate looked at it, divided between terror, and mouth watering anticipation. She hadn't had much of an appetite in the last three months, and would never have thought of eating something like this – but it looked yummy. She remembered yesterday, and how bony she had looked. Rick handed her a spoon.

"I thought this might help to warm you up a bit," he said with another smile. Kate put her book beside her on the seat, and watched Rick take a big spoonful of brownie. She took a tiny piece on her spoon. It was delicious, and it went well with the milkshake. She began to relax a little, and started to ask him about becoming a writer. He had grown up in New York, and told her about being thrown out of a lot of different schools. Before she knew it, she was laughing her head off at his hilarious story about switching around the janitor's and Principal's offices.

When she laughed, she looked totally different. She was absolutely stunning – her eyes sparkled, she threw her head back, and let go of whatever it was that made her so sad. He wondered yet again what could have happened to her – she was so young, she seemed clever, and she was pretty. She should be loving life.