Chapter 7

Ryan Gold (POV):

I woke to my alarm blaring. That's unusual this is the first time in years that it was my alarm and not my leg to wake me up. my phone beeped from the bedside table I opened it to see a message from Belle "good morning Ryan"

I smiled and responded with "morning beautiful" a small non dominant part of me thought about how nice it would be to wake up to belles face in the morning, to hear her voice waking me gently. But I ignore it I will go slowly with Belle I'm still amazed she would go on dates with me then agree to more. She may just be trying to be nice to an old man for charity but I feel like she genuinely enjoys my company. My phone interrupted my thoughts

"if you need another book feel free to stop by mysterious love on your way to work" I smiled

"of course but is this for me or for you;)" I got up and had barley finished making the bed when her reply came.

"me" rushing into my bathroom I showered walking into my closet with just a towel wrapped around my waist I spent 10 minutes matching my tie and my socks. This is the most effort I've ever put into my appearance. Walking into my kitchen I remembered a few days ago when I had almost kissed belle on that barstool then Emma came and ruined it. I sighed but nevertheless got in my car and drove to mysterious love.

Belle French (POV):

I sighed in defeat the only cup I had for tea was the chipped cup and the guest cup and the two didn't even match. The chipped cup was part of a long since gone set and the guest cup is one I brought from my set at home.
I heard the bell in the front of the shop and Gold's cane on the floor "I'm in the back Ryan" I shouted. He pushed the curtain aside

"hey" he smiled

"hey you want some tea" I gestured to the cups and pot on the tray. He picked up the chipped cup and poured tea into it. I did the same with the other cup and before I could warn him he had raised the cup to his mouth

"shit" he set the cup down and raised his hand to his lip

"I'm sorry it's uh... it's chipped" I raised the cup so he could see

"it's just a cut" he said taking the cup and setting it on the end table

"umm here" I grabbed a washcloth and wet it reaching up I held the side of his face that wasn't cut and with my other hand I pressed the cloth to his mouth feeling the warmth of his mouth through it. he put his hands over mine and moved the one with the washcloth

"I'm fine belle there's no blood and barley any pain" he turned his head so he was kissing the palm of the hand that had been cradling his face "see fine" he reached his hand out as if he was going to cradle my face but stopped an inch away. So closing my eyes I breeched the gap just as I had in his kitchen days ago. Feeling his rough hand on my cheek