A/N: Thanks for all the reviews, PMs, comments on the FanFiction Facebook group, follows and favorites. I am so glad people are enjoying this one that I like so much..
Thanks, obviously, to MarkeyDeSad for being my beta for this.
When I was thinking of a title for this chapter. I decided on "Back in Los Angeles." Then, the Genesis song about another city sprang into my head, with the lyrics below; these initial words seemed appropriate, so I lengthened the title.
The Novelist
Chapter7: Back in Los Angeles City
I see faces and traces of home
Back in New York City.
Aha
"Back in NYC"
Genesis
After his treatment, and being bound up with bandages, Casey had been grumpy as hell. He complained that he'd had worse injuries than this before in Afghanistan and flown back to the States without any problems, but the doctor here had insisted he take two more days before leaving. General Beckman had gone along with that.
Chuck and Zondra wondered if that was partly to spare him from what was likely to happen once they arrived in Los Angeles, or, more specifically at the airport. That was in Chuck mind as he told Casey about Sarah.
"I thought you were just a fan of her novels," Casey said first.
"Are you a fan, as well, Casey?" Chuck teased, deflecting it back.
"Wouldn't catch me reading that crap," he replied gruffly, but there was a hint of something in the background.
Zondra nearly said it wasn't crap, but thought better of mentioning that.
Chuck, however, teased further, "That doesn't mean you don't read it. Noticeable absence of that being mentioned."
That got a grunt and, "Never." Then, Casey's face altered slightly. "So, you're going out with her? Beckman ok with that?"
"She's vetting her, but doesn't expect any trouble," Chuck replied.
Casey was surprised Bartowski had actually broached the subject with the general, but that must have been why he had wanted to talk to her privately. He wasn't all that surprised at her response, though. She had a fondness for Chuck that was so out of character. He stated, "Well, it makes my stay here more bearable. Don't have to see you pawing her when we get to LA."
Chuck was slightly offended by that. "I won't be 'pawing her.'" Then he thought about that. "… at least not at the airport."
That got a snort from one partner and a disgusted grunt from the other.
Zondra was glad when they came into land at the airport in Los Angeles.
They'd caught a normal, direct, flight, so explaining their arrival to his sister would not be a problem.
The reason for Zondra feeling as she did was the person sitting next to her on the plane. Chuck was so keyed up. She didn't mind his excitement, in fact, she felt fairly excited about the fact he would soon be with his girlfriend. However, his leg tapping away like that was driving her round the bend.
He turned to her and asked, once again, "are you sure I look good enough for her?"
She rolled her eyes. First time he'd asked that question, she'd joked that he'd never be good enough for Sarah Walker. As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she regretted them. Knowing his insecurities, why the hell did she say that? She'd had to spend the next ten minutes apologizing for that jest and reassuring him that he absolutely was good enough for the woman who was desperate to see him, and looked good enough too.
She held his gaze and told him, this time, "She'll be very happy with how you look. Mind you, she might have to fight off all the other women to get to you."
Chuck knew the latter was just a tease. Women did not flock to him that way, but as long as the only one that mattered was interested in him, he was happy. That didn't stop his knee tapping again once he turned to face forward, though.
"What's the plan?" she asked, trying to distract him.
"Dinner at El's," he replied.
"Ooh, the full family treatment, huh?"
He grinned. "Well, she knows El, obviously, so it'll only be Devon she hasn't met before."
"That's Captain Awesome, right?"
"Yep."
She'd found that name amusing when he'd told her about it. She wondered what Sarah would make of the guy. "No alone time, then?"
He grinned again. "I might try to catch some time with her."
Zondra chuckled and patted his arm. "Enjoy."
"You off to see Angelica?"
She smiled. "You bet."
"Give her my love," he replied.
She faced him. "No, I won't. You need to save all of that for a certain author."
He choked on that and needed a drink to recover. "I- I don't-"
"Maybe not yet," Zondra said over him. "But you're well on the way, kiddo."
He sat quietly, thinking about that. Even his leg stopped moving. He couldn't be in love with her already, could he? Very strong feelings for her, but love? He pondered that question until they were told to buckle up for landing.
They'd left all their weapons back in Tokyo, so clearing entry to the States was relatively easy. Didn't stop him getting frustrated at the time taken, though.
However, now he was walking out and looking for the two women waiting for him.
Zondra wasn't far behind, but careful not to look like she was with him. They'd already said their goodbyes.
He spotted them. Sarah standing quietly next to a frantically waving Eleanor Woodcomb.
He beamed their way and hastily walked toward them. When he arrived, Ellie hugged him as tightly as ever. Then, Sarah leaned toward him with her hand stretched out. He shook her hand, with a smile, as if meeting her for the first time. He was very glad that his sister obviously knew what was going on and not questioning it.
It didn't take them long to reach Ellie's car. He noted that they'd come in that rather than Sarah's and assumed it was for any photographers around.
Once inside, and Ellie driving, he gushed out, "God, I've missed you both so much."
Ellie laughed. "A bit needy, Chuck."
He just looked at the beautiful blonde in the back of the car, who was smiling at him. "Can you blame me, El." Ellie chuckled in response, shaking her head.
The smile on Sarah's face changed to a full grin. "Don't tease him, Ellie. I feel just the same."
He grinned back at her.
Ellie mock groaned. "Cloying or what?"
The drive to her apartment didn't take long, but for two in the car, although happily looking at each other, it could have been shorter.
As soon as they entered the apartment, Devon got up to walk over and greet them, but Ellie shoed him into the kitchen and joined him.
Sarah needed no other signal. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulled him down slightly and kissed him, pouring all her feelings for him into it. He was equally eager and wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her off the ground.
Somehow she resisted wrapping her legs around him, that being too much in this situation, but she reveled in being held in his strong arms and kept the kiss going. This was just the kiss both needed and had been looking forward to. Their lips crushed together and their tongues exploring each other.
Sarah could never remember a kiss this good and deepened it further, feeling as if she was floating. If she never touched the ground again, she'd be a very happy Sarah Walker.
Chuck couldn't believe how good it felt, both to kiss these amazing lips and to have his arms around this goddess.
After a while, though, they had to breath and he lowered her to the ground and just gazed into those azure pools. Entranced was the best way to describe how he felt at that moment.
Sarah was just the same, looking up into those beautiful hazel eyes. She thought, enraptured might best describe her feelings.
"God, I've needed that, Sarah."
She clasped his hand. "Me too, Chuck."
"Come on, you two. Coffee and introductions," Ellie called to them.
As they walked into the kitchen, Devon pulled Chuck into a hug. "Welcome back, bro."
Chuck hugged him back. "Hi, Devon." Ellie smiled at her brother calling him that. Then, Chuck reached back and grasped Sarah's hand once again, pulling her closer. "Devon, I'd like you to meet…" He froze, wanting to call her his girlfriend, but suddenly unsure about saying out loud.
Sarah had no hesitation, though. "His girlfriend, Sarah Walker."
Devon didn't miss a beat and pulled her into a hug. "Awesome!"
Sarah hadn't experienced a family gathering, let alone a meal, for such a long time. Seeing how the three interacted was heartwarming, the close bond between them such a joy to behold. However, it wasn't just that, they drew her into it, making her feel part of it, even though at least one of them had never seen her before.
Of course, Chuck holding her hand throughout was wonderful too. It was a good job they'd ordered pizza, so she only needed one hand to eat her food.
As she ate her veggie pizza, she was happy that Chuck had asked how she liked it. Most would have just ordered the standard one, but her boyfriend had taken the trouble to ask, so there were no olives to pick off.
Her boyfriend! She gazed over at him. Yes, she now had a boyfriend and she couldn't be happier. She felt a bit giddy thinking that. It was so silly, like she was just a teenager getting her first boyfriend, but that was exactly how this felt. He was her crush and now her boyfriend.
That kiss was amazing too. Certainly not her first, but equally certain, the best she'd ever had. Even those she'd shared with Bryce when intimate were nowhere near as good as that one. That caused her to veer off thinking about getting intimate with Chuck. She was determined to savor that when it happened. However, she wanted to savor getting to know him rather than just dive into bed like some one-night stand.
She looked back at her pizza rather than blush at those thoughts. It was hard to do that, when all she wanted to do was look at him. Get a grip, girl!
Chuck was enjoying being back here for the first time in ages and really enjoying chatting with these three people who meant so much to him. However, that was tinged with some regret that he couldn't just spend the time alone with Sarah.
Seeing her again and, more importantly, having held and kissed her, his feelings for her were deepening. He was now wondering whether Zondra was right and he was indeed falling for her so much, so quickly.
He looked over at the vision of beauty sitting next to him and down at their hands clasped together. He knew his feelings for her were for more than just her appearance, but how could someone with looks like that have been single and, more importantly, now with him?
He knew his self-esteem was not great, and hadn't been since Stanford, but even if it had been, he still wouldn't feel worthy.
She looked over at him and smiled that smile that caused his heart to hitch.
God, I'm a lucky guy!
She saw the look in his eyes, the same as when they'd kissed earlier. It reflected how she felt about him. Her heart soared and she squeezed his hand trying to convey that she felt the same.
She wasn't sure, because she'd never felt it before, but the feelings she had for him were far greater than she'd ever experienced before. Was this love? Already? They hardly knew each other and had only just kissed for the first time, but the way her heart pounded in her chest when she saw him at the airport and then so much more during that kiss made her wonder.
Whatever this was, it was the best she'd ever felt.
Although she'd been happy chatting, Ellie was happier still seeing her brother and his new girlfriend together. They'd been so close back when they had first met, but this was so much more than that. It was quite surprising how much their fondness for each other had increased when all that had happened between the two was phone calls.
The looks they were giving each other were looks of love, even if they weren't labeling their feelings that way yet. She was so pleased for both of them and hoped that this really would work out for them. Both had been lonely, even if they wouldn't admit it, and both needed someone like the other in their lives.
Of course, there was an added benefit for Ellie. A happy Sarah Walker in love would write a much better love interest into her next novel which would then sell even better.
She looked at her husband and could see him smiling at the couple opposite them. He was obviously happy Chuck had found someone, too. She leaned over and gave Devon a kiss before settling back into her seat to eat some more pizza.
This was a happy time for them all.
Before Sarah left to return home, she and Chuck walked out of Ellie's apartment to stand together for one last moment.
Sarah opened her bag and took out a package and handed it to him. Chuck looked at it; it seemed like a present, although wrapped in plain paper. He looked at her questioningly.
"Well, it's not your birthday," she teased.
He unwrapped it and found her first novel. He looked at her. "I left them, didn't I?"
"You did," she replied, then added, "And ran off with another woman!" He could see the glee in her eyes as she teased him.
He opened the front cover and found what she'd written inside.
To Chuck,
You're the first person who showed me what hope feels like, and I haven't lost it yet.
Sarah x
That brought tears to his eyes. The message expressed what he felt, too. The 'x' at the end meant so much, as well. His voice broke as he looked at her and said, "T-thank you, Sarah."
His teary eyes, made hers the same. Neither actually cried, but both were close with their emotions running so high.
He hugged her as if letting her go would cause this dream to end.
Before they separated, she whispered into his ear, "Another book each time you come home safely from a mission."
He pulled away and nodded. "We need to talk about those," he replied. He then warned her about a call she might get checking up on her, explaining why the general was doing this, and that once she'd been cleared he could tell her all about it.
She drove home thinking about that, but then focused on the kiss that followed the discussion and how it made her legs turn to jelly for a few moments, through which Chuck held her. That was a much better thing to think about.
"Good afternoon, Ms. Walker. I'm from the Washington Post and wanted to ask you some questions about your novels, if I may."
Sarah was glad that Chuck had warned her. She knew the person who wrote articles about fiction at the Post, had several interviews with her, including one recently about the latest novel. This was someone from the NSA. Besides, no one from the paper would sound that formal.
She couldn't, however, make him aware she knew this was an NSA call. "Didn't… Julia, I think her name was, get enough in my interview?" Julia wasn't her name, of course.
"Oh, she did," the man replied, further giving himself away, "this isn't about that novel, but about your inspiration for the series."
Sarah grinned. She was actually enjoying this game. "Okay. I'm in the middle of writing the next one, but can spare a bit of time. Will twenty minutes be enough time?"
"Plenty," he replied.
"Okay, I guess we can get started, Mr…."
"Oh, James, Paul James."
She noted it down, although she doubted that was his real name. "So, what do you want to know, Mr. James?"
"First of all, why spy novels?"
That was a reasonable question to start an article, although that information had appeared before. "My dad used to read them and when I was old enough, let me have them after him." All true.
"And about the CIA?"
"Well, they are the most exciting of the US intelligence agencies, travelling the world to protect our nation," she explained. That was true of her thoughts when she started all this, but now she wondered about the NSA.
"Why is that?" he asked.
"Well, drug dealers don't light my fire, so that rules out the DEA. The FBI and NSA are all US based. Secret Service too. The CIA go all around the world, taking on both foreign agencies and global syndicates. Even drug warlords. Who better for my spy to work for?" This matched her earlier thought, too.
"I've heard people say you seem to know how the CIA works. Very accurate. Do you have inside knowledge?" This was getting to the heart of his real questioning.
She laughed. "I wish I did. It would save me a lot of painstaking agonizing, rewriting over and over again. Sorry, but it all comes from my head. I know that won't grab your readers minds, though."
"Do you know any CIA personnel?" His question seemed stupid when she'd just said she had no inside information.
"Not that I know of, but then people who talk to me, could work for them and lie to me." She paused. "Even you, Mr. James." Internally, she was laughing as she added that.
He was silent for a second, then replied, "I can assure you, I do not work for the CIA."
Sarah knew that. He worked for the NSA. She gave him a short laugh, said in mock seriousness, "Really?" Then laughed a bit louder. "What other questions do you have, Mr. James."
He proceeded to ask more questions that showed he knew more about how the agency worked, which she jotted down, but also how close her storylines were. By the end of the twenty minutes she was both proud of how close her storylines were, but also with the notes she'd captured from him. He could hardly complain about her incorporating any of that.
"Thank you, Ms. Walker. If I have any further questions, is it alright to send them to you via email?"
"Well, you must have gotten my number from my editor, but I don't give out my email address and nor does she. You can call me again, if your questions are short, otherwise send an email to the enquiry email address on my books."
"Very well," he replied.
As she put the phone down, she wanted to call Chuck and tell him about it, but held off in case they were now tapping her phone or something like that.
She hoped they had enough information they'd scraped up from wherever and along with what she'd told this non-reporter and that she would soon get the all clear.
She thought about her past and, particularly her dad. His criminal life had gotten him locked up and no secret. She really hoped that wouldn't be held against her.
Zondra so rarely got down time these days, so when she did, she made the most of it. Fortunately, Angelica was able to book some time off as well, so they'd spent the last two days together, mostly chilling on the beach and planned to continue that for a couple more..
Of course, Zondra's wasn't just leave, but following instructions from the NSA doctor who berated her for not resting after her concussion.
Whatever the reason for it, the couple had this much wanted time together.
Amongst the sunbathing and the swimming, they'd caught up on what each could tell the other about their time apart. Not surprisingly, Sarah Walker became the topic of discussion, when they were having a drink at the beach café.
"You know, I thought of you when I saw that she was doing a book reading here last Friday," Angelica mentioned.
"Yeah, that would be the end of her book tour," Zondra replied, although she couldn't help thinking the word 'tour' was a bit much for three stops.
Angelica grinned. "Did you go all fangirl when you met her?"
Zondra blushed. "I think I did a bit. Well, come on, she is my favorite author."
Angelica took a quick slurp through her straw and then nodded. "And now she's a friend? And," she drew out the last word, "Chuck's girlfriend?"
Zondra smiled and nodded back. "I've never seen him so excited, or as nervous, when they were going to see each other at the airport." She then chuckled. "They were both so frightened of the paparazzi at the airport that they just shook hands. I was walking a few steps back from them and nearly burst out laughing."
"We should invite them over for dinner some time," Angelica said.
Zondra looked at her girlfriend. "Really? We never invite people over."
"That's because no one we work with know we're a couple. You are so secretive," Angelica pointed out.
"Sorry," Zondra replied, "but these two do know." She thought about the suggestion for a moment, before making a decision. "Ok, let's invite them." She reached into her bag and pulled out her phone, while asking Angelica, "Tomorrow ok?"
"Yeah, or even tonight," she replied.
Chuck answered the call. "Hi, Z. I hope this isn't a mission 'cos I really don't want to go away for a while."
She grinned. "Could you travel all the way to our place?"
He was surprised. "What, your place… with Angelica?"
"Yup, you and Sarah are invited to come for dinner."
"You never have anyone to your place," he said.
"Well, you two are special then, aren't you?" She grinned.
"My God, Sarah IS so special. I just can't believe it," he replied, looking over at his girlfriend. Although, he still had difficulty looking at her in that bikini.
Sarah loved how he looked at her with eyes full of love and… lust? Certainly bewitched. She got up and snatched the phone off of him. "Hi, Zondra. I hope you're ok after the accident." She stopped and grinned at Chuck. "What's up?"
"Can you drag your besotted to our place for dinner?"
Sarah loved the idea. "Definitely! When?"
"Either tonight or tomorrow night?" Zondra asked. "Sorry it's short notice, but we only just thought about it." She noticed Angelica's frown. "It's my beautiful girlfriend's idea, by the way."
Sarah thought for a second. "Is tonight ok? We're going on a trip tomorrow and might not be back until late."
"Great. See you tonight. I'll text Chuck the address."
Angelica was feeling very proud of herself. She was going to meet her girlfriend's idol who was also the woman who had drawn Chuck Bartowski out of his shell.
Chuck was in a bit of a daze. "Zondra never wants anyone to see her place. It's her sanctuary. Almost her castle with fortified walls"
Sarah kissed him. "Well, tonight, we breach those walls."
He looked her way, trying not to look at all the gorgeous exposed flesh so close to him for fear that he wouldn't be able to control himself. Her words had brought other thoughts into his head, which he was trying not to enact. He was sure she wanted to take this relationship slowly, but looking like that was making it so hard for him. He would endure, though. He just wanted to be with her, whatever she wore.
Sarah hadn't intended it, but as soon as she said those words, it was something else being breached that sprang to mind. She flushed and looked away so he didn't notice. She was sure he wanted to take things at a slow pace, and there was no way she was going to frighten him off by trying to accelerate that. He avoided looking at her body in this bikini which, at first had hurt her feelings, but then she thought about how gentlemanly he was and realized it was that. Anyway, she'd take this at whatever pace he wanted, she just loved being with him.
She settled back down onto her towel to catch a few more rays, before dragging him down to the sea again. This time, she was going to kiss him in the water and he would have to hold her to him.
They'd not been together the previous day because he had needed to catch up with how his company had been getting on without him. Needless to say, everything was running like clockwork. Morgan knew almost as much as Chuck did about IT security and was probably a better manager than he was. In reality, the company no longer really needed him.
Sarah had worked on her novel that day, but had received the call from the NSA while doing it.
They had decided to spend the next day together. She had suggested the beach and he had happily picked her up on the way there. That was when his problems had started, or rather when she unbuttoned her top and slid it down her arms. She hadn't looked up, thankfully, or she would have seen his jaw drop. When she pulled down her shorts and just had on that red bikini, he was further in shock. Fortunately, she'd not noticed, or if she had, not mentioned how his eyes had roamed her gorgeous body before he got himself under control.
Then, she'd asked him to rub sun lotion onto her back. He shakily did that and handed the bottle back to her without looking at her.
Near the end of their time there, however, she'd pulled him down to the water and they'd gone for a swim. That had initially saved him from his thoughts about her bikini-clad form. However, before they finished their swim, she'd pulled him underwater and wrapped her arms around his neck. The kiss was sensual and having her near-naked body pressed against his was so wonderful; he never wanted to surface, just stay like that, with his arms around her waist, feeling his senses go wild. She didn't comment on his body's reaction to her, but she must have noticed.
When they'd separated, reluctantly on his part, she'd told him they should leave because she wanted to get something new to wear for her first dinner with Zondra and Angela. He said he'd have a quick swim before joining her and she'd smiled. She obviously knew why.
When he got back to their quiet patch on the beach, she had her light top on, although unbuttoned, along with her shorts, but was still drying her. He quickly dried himself and his hair, so they could leave.
They'd not spoken about that kiss as he drove her back to her place. He was both embarrassed and was terrified that his physical reaction would frighten her off.
Sarah, on the other hand, was overjoyed that his body, at least, wanted her that way. However, she knew he would be embarrassed by that and she didn't want to make it worse. He'd yet to actually come into her place, but just picked her up in the morning. She wasn't worried about that. Hell, they'd only been going out for a couple of days.
Now, he was driving them over to his partner's place, keen to finally meet Angelica, but all he really wanted to do was spend the evening alone with the amazing Sarah Walker. It wasn't that he didn't want to share his time with her, but after the day at the beach, he was having difficulty thinking of anything but his girlfriend.
It was a bit embarrassing just thinking of her glorious body, but she had flaunted it in front of him and even pressed it against him. He was only human, after all.
He looked over at her and she smiled at him. God, that beautiful smile, too. And those lips! He looked back at the road.
"What are you thinking, Chuck?" she asked. She'd been thinking about their time on the beach and how he'd looked. Maybe thinking a bit about how he'd felt when she'd kissed him in the water, his naked chest pressed against hers and their lower bodies together too.
Is it awful, that I'm struggling to keep at his pace? That I'm wishing we weren't going out this evening, but that I'd pulled him into my house, up the stairs and to my bed?
Chuck replied, cautiously, "Just remembering what a wonderful day it's been today."
"Hmmm. It was, wasn't it!" she replied. She brought herself back to reality. "Is it much further?"
"No. We're nearly there."
"Have you been here before?" she asked.
"I don't think anyone has been," he replied.
Opening the door and seeing them standing outside, hands together, fingers intertwined, all Zondra could think was how happy she was seeing them together. When she looked up into their sparkling eyes, she felt even better.
"Come in, Lovebirds," she told them, stepping back to make way for them.
They both faltered at her words, quickly glanced at each other, smiled and then looked ahead again and walked in.
Zondra grinned. God, they are, but still haven't admitted it to themselves!
She led them to the woman of her life. "Chuck, Sarah, this is my lovely girlfriend, Angelica."
Angelica ignored the hands being thrust her way and grabbed Chuck first, "Hi, Chuck. She tells me so much about you, particularly since she's come back."
Chuck didn't know what to say to that.
Then Angelica hugged Sarah, "You don't know how much I felt threatened by her love of your books, Sarah, when your second one came out."
Sarah leaned back and looked over at Zondra. Then turned back to her girlfriend and smiled, "She never showed that sort of interest, Angelica. You're safe."
Angelica grinned and nodded, then stepped back. "What would you both like to drink?"
The evening went smoothly, all of them enjoying each other's company.
"You know you are the first to sample my cooking," Angelica mentioned over the meal. She gestured at Zondra. "Apart from this one, of course."
"It's great," Sarah replied and Chuck nodded with his mouth full.
"Tell me how you got into writing spy novels," the black-haired beauty asked.
Chuck listened carefully to Sarah's comments about always being interested in that type of fiction and just deciding to try it herself. "I sent my first attempt to the publisher his sister works for." She thumbed in Chuck's direction. "She was the one who received it and helped me turn it into something worth reading."
The conversation turned to how Sarah met Chuck, which brought laughs from the two women opposite them.
When Sarah changed the topic to how Zondra and Angelica met, Angelica looked at her girlfriend, unsure how much to say.
Zondra stepped in at that point. "Angie, Sarah knows I work for the NSA, so we don't have to keep that a secret." She turned to Sarah and told her about how Angelica was an analyst and helped Zondra on some of her earlier missions. When they met, it was love at first sight.
Sarah quickly looked at Chuck and then back at Zondra. "At first sight?" she asked.
"For me too," Angelica chipped in.
"It's a very male oriented organization, though, so we don't broadcast it. In fact, the only people that know are you two. Oh, and your sister, Chuck. I had to reassure her that you and I were not together." She smirked. "And that I wasn't an obstacle in the way of what I see before me."
Angelica laughed. "I think you might have been flattened if you had stood in the way, my love."
Chuck and Sarah looked at each other, grinned and nodded.
By the end of the evening, the two couples agreed that they should meet again. In addition, Sarah asked if she could seek help from their knowledge for her books.
Zondra looked at her seriously. "I did offer, didn't I?" Sarah nodded. "Let's get clearance from General Beckman before we do. Okay?"
Sarah conceded that the suggestion was a good one.
As they got ready to leave, Sarah hugged each woman, giving each a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for a wonderful evening, and for being friends." She thought, as she said that, 'I don't have many.'
Both Chuck and Sarah were tired as they drove away and agreed to call it a day, so that they could be fully refreshed for their trip out the next day. Although, she did plan on starting the day showing him where she worked, because he showed such interest.
All Sarah could think about, as he drove, was that 'love at first sight.' She was becoming more and more sure that she'd experienced that with this tall handsome man, but she hesitated about saying it in case it scared him.
Chuck was having exactly the same thoughts and coming to the same conclusion.
Both wanted nothing more than for this relationship to develop further.
A/N: Cautiously moving forward…
Thoughts?
