Tancred knew Ingledew's bookshop well. He'd spent a lot of time there with Lysander before he started dating Jamie, even though he didn't go there for the books (I mean, does Tancred seem like the type of person to be caught with a book??).

"Tancred Torsson, who ever thought you'd come around again?" Juslia laughed when he entered the shop, stirring up a slight wind that made a few open books on her countertop turn. She noted he was alone.

"He's here to work on an art project with me, Auntie." Emma peaked through the curtain that led to the back of the shop and motioned for Tancred to follow her.

He nodded and hurried to catch up with Emma, who was halfway up the staircase.

"Slow down, Em," Tancred chuckled.

She didn't slow down. She didn't want to ever have to face him, or see him, or even think of him, because every time he came into her mind, she didn't know how she felt. It was just a jumble of thoughts, and none of them came together, especially when Ben also crept into her mind.

"Where can I sit?" Tancred inquired when he entered the room and noted Emma in the lone chair at the desk.

"Anywhere," Emma murmured.

Tancred knelt down next to her. After working for a while, Tancred turned to her and asked, "Em, we're still friends, right?"

"Of coarse," Emma nodded, forcusing on her work, "Why wouldn't we be?"

"Well, after the whole Ben thing, I thought you were kind of ticked off at me." He shrugged.

"I'm not. I understand that that's your opinion on Ben, but it's not mine." Emma blushed.

"I understand." Tancred sighed (and we all know why).

Emma blushed even deeper when she turned and looked into his sincere, blue eyes. She found herself only inches from his perfect face. Tancred was only inches from hers. His blond hair crackled when he noticed.

Both felt like the space between them was closing. Both of them thought: Will we kiss?

Just when it looked like they were, the door opened and both spun around and saw Julia, who was completely oblivious to what had almost just taken place. "I brought some cookies and lemonade."

"Um, thanks, Auntie." Emma blushed and grabbed the tray from Julia.

Tancred was blushing, too, and he was slowly becoming angry at himself. He'd been so close, Emma was almost his.

When Julia left the room, Tancred gathered enough courage to start to say, "Emma, I…"

"Drop it, Tancred." She told him, "Let's work,"

Tancred nodded and they continued to work as if nothing had happened.

After a few minutes, Julia re-entered the room. "Emma, dear, I forgot to tell you, I have a date with Paton. We'll be leaving now."

"Okay, good-bye and have fun, Auntie."

Julia waved and left.

An hour later, Tancred decided he should leave before his mother started to worry.

"Okay," Emma followed him downstairs. "I'll see you Monday."

Tancred nodded, but before he got to the door, he caught Emma's arm and pulled her towards him. "Promise me something, Emma."

"What?" Emma wondered, her face turning redder than a tomato.

"If Ben ever hurts you in any way, come to me. I'll teach him a lesson."

"Okay, I promise," Emma said.

Tancred grinned and kissed her cheek, then hurried out of the bookshop before Emma realized what was happening.

Tancred Torsson really cared about her.


wasn't that sweet? there are more TancredxEmma moments to come, but i need 4 reviews. i don't even know why i'm updating. i only got 3 reviews, but, anyways, i'm updating to be nice, i guess.

remember, PLEASE GIVE ME 4 REVIEWS!!!!

xoxo, alliey1213