The day had sucked. Sarah had fallen asleep upon her sketchbook, overslept as a result, and all one thousand coffee shops between her apartment and the bookstore had lines too long to accommodate her tardiness. To make matters worse, holiday shoppers flooded the small shop all day keeping her and the other girls overwhelmed. Her feet hurt, her eyes hurt, and her head hurt.
Folksy music enveloped the apartment while she loosen up with a mug of tea. Wearing only leggings and a red flannel shirt the exhausted woman swayed about the room, dancing thoughtlessly to the slow rhythm of a strumming guitar. Locks of hair slipped out of the messy bun as she twirled around, tapping dainty fingers on the porcelain cup.
Suddenly, a light rapping on the door halted her unwinding. With a huff she pulled the door open roughly expecting to see a lost party goer looking for the apartment downstairs that always was hosting some kind of shenanigans, but instead she, to her great dismay, found Jay. Of course, on this most obnoxious of days, the most attractive man she knew would find her looking like the hot mess that she really was.
"Oh damn," she turned from the door leaving it open for him to follow her if he chose to. Sarah gracelessly sat herself down on a bar-stool in the tiny corner kitchen and put a hand over her face. This was not what she needed tonight. Jay confused her. The moment she saw him stroll down the staircase for the first time, she had felt drawn to him. He seemed attracted to her as well, but he never seized any opportunities to advance their acquaintance. She thought shamefully about her brazen behavior the night before. Although she hadn't exactly thrown herself at him, she had offered something, and he rejected her. Now he stood in her doorway, peaking into her austere environment seemingly confused about what he should do next.
Jay was confused indeed. The Goblin King turned bar minstrel stood on unfamiliar ground. Romance was not his area of expertise. He had read every book on the subject he could find for the past fifteen years. He had attempted to speak to goblins and other Underground creatures to ascertain what love was and how one went about loving another, and apparently he had failed somehow. No where in all of his exploration had a suitor been cursed and left to stand in a hallway by his object.
"You can come in," Sarah groaned from her position behind the small island that served as a table.
"Are you sure, that didn't seem like much of a welcome to me," Jay grinned. When all else failed he lapsed into sarcasm.
"I am sorry, I've had a rough day. I shouldn't take it out on unsuspecting...whatever you ares," she looked up from behind her hand.
"Um, apology accepted, I think." He moved into the room, shutting the door behind him and cutting off the main source of light. The apartment was filled with flickering candles which served as the only illumination other than the fireplace which crackled cheerfully. Jay took the remaining bar-stool and sat facing the lovely woman. He could trace a glimpse of the petulant girl she had once been in the way she sighed while turning her attention fully upon him.
"Sarah," he relished the way her given name sounded. "I wonder if you would possibly like to have dinner with me tomorrow night?" He waited to see her reaction, she had such an expressive face.
Sarah thought about what he said for a moment. He was asking her out. The mysterious music-man sat before her looking perfect and asking her to dinner. The same man who hadn't shown a hint of interest in her the night before. "Ok."
"Very well," Jay replied without showing any emotion. The two remained locked in a silent staring contest as the folksy music marched on in the background. Sarah finally made the first move. She had meant to retrieve a second mug and offer her guest some tea, but Loki chose that moment to make his presence known by showing up beneath her feet.
With a blood chilling yowl, the cat went screaming underneath the sofa. Sarah shocked and alarmed by the sudden movement and noise stumbled nearly falling, but the sure hands of Jay found their way to her waist, keeping her upright. He had moved so quickly to stand next to her. Sarah felt the edge of the counter press into her back, trapping her between it and the man holding her.
Jay was stunned at how quickly their situation had progressed from awkward to intimate. He was so close to Sarah in the dimly lit room, he could smell hints of the mint and rosemary shampoo she used. Sarah stood stiffly in his grasp, her breathing quickened. It felt oddly familiar to her, eerily she was reminded of her nightmare. But, she wasn't dreaming and the man who held her was real and not dragging her off into an enchanted ballroom of terror.
Without stopping to think, Jay lifted the slight woman up onto the counter and sat her there where her eyes were level with his own. When she didn't protest, he brought his hand up to her neck to push aside a stray lock of hair. He took in all of her features, she was so grown-up.
"I'm sorry you've had such an awful day," he spoke softly.
"It's getting better," she whispered, not knowing why she needed to whisper.
"Oh good, I hope that I've had something to do with that," he lingered only a breath's space away from her lips, daring the woman to close the distance. He was determined that she would be the one to pursue him, he would not attempt to force her this time.
Sarah placed her hand at the collar of his button-up shirt and drew him toward her. She kissed him hesitantly, and then more eagerly. Jay pulled her into his arms and lost himself for a few moments. He reluctantly untangled himself from her searching hands and held them in his own. "Sarah."
"Umm hmm," she hummed into his shoulder.
"I really must protest at being manhandled by such a small woman, you've made enough transgressions against my virtue for one night, love." He stepped away from her with a satisfied smirk. "I will pick you up at eight."
Before she could answer he was across the room and out the door.
Ok Friends, I am trying to pick up the pace. Affectionately, your drawn-out storyteller.