Jane and William meet up for coffee after the Wayward book fair

My eyes wander the cafe as I recall the events from today.

There wasn't much information about William Doe online. I assumed that my favorite author valued his privacy, hence the lack of photos. So this morning, as I walked into the Wayward public library, my eyes scanned the room for a bespectacled, middle aged author of "Missing in the Breeze" and "The Great Bygats". I walked around the room, surveying each booth, reading the names of the authors. After making two passes around the library's common area, I checked my itinerary again. Sure enough, the words "William Doe, Booth 26" stared back at me. Surely, he had to be here?

I began my third pass of the common area, reading off every booth number... 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26! My eyes finally made out a booth almost hidden by a bookshelf. No wonder I had missed it earlier! I approached and finally caught sight of a tall, broad shouldered young man, with a floppy mop of hair - the complete opposite of an unattractive middle aged geezer.

I pull myself out of my impure thoughts. It was bad enough that William was self conscious about his lack of ability. I did not need to give him the impression that I asked him out to flirt with him. I was genuinely interested in his work (and also in his soft smile and gentle gray eyes). I shake my head as I scan the cafe for that fluffy mop of black for the third time in a minute, my heart beating faster at the thought of meeting William again.

I see him approaching the front door and I feel my face heat up even more. When his eyes finally find me, he smiles the most genuine, twinkly-eyed smile and my face breaks into the largest smile as my heart beats faster. As he walks over, I notice that he has a tall, athletic build - something I failed to notice since he was sitting at his booth the entire time. He pulls out the chair opposite mine and slides in, his face still adorned by that wonderful smile.

"William! So glad you made it! So I did not tell you earlier, but I'm a junior majoring in Creative Writing at Wayward University." I just hope I'm not speaking too fast from all the excitement.

"Oh that's wonderful! Wayward has an excellent program for aspiring writers! I attended Herverd University in New Bostin, but I've read through Wayward's syllabus and they are pretty solid." He replies. He tells me that he graduated two years ago. He smiles wistfully as he tells me about coffee stains on last minute papers, malfunctioning dorm heaters and deriving inspiration from the strange noises in the wall. He tells me about Possum Gary, who lived in the attic, and how he and his roommates put up a "Just married sign" over the crack in the attic when Possum Gary's girlfriend, Georgina moved in with him.

"Did you eventually take down the sign?" I manage to choke out between bouts of laughter.

"Ah! You see, Possum Gary is quite the philanderer. We took down the sign after he moved in with his side chick, Darlene." he says with a wink.

After a good long laugh, I finally look up and meet his eyes again. We both have lingering traces of mirth on our lips and a twinkle in our eyes.

I tell him about how "Missing in the Breeze" inspired my term paper on the Antebellum south. "After reading your book, I was inspired to research and write stories about the social upheaval caused by the Murrican civil war."

"That's a really complex topic with many great stories.", he replies.

"I admire how detailed your stories are. There is so much depth in your stories! When I read your work, I feel like I'm inside the protagonist's world. You truly have a gift for story telling."

He runs his hand through the back of his hair as he blushes and looks down. "Thanks", he says with a bashful smile.

"I mean it! I think you deserve more recognition and maybe a pen name would help."

"Thank you for recognizing my work. It means a lot to me." he says with his eyes filled with utmost sincerity.

This time I blush with the intensity of his gaze. I lower my eyes before meeting his again. "You're welcome." I say, with a small smile.

My stomach growls and suddenly my mouth feels dry. I look up and I see that the sun is already setting. I pull out my phone to check the time. We had been chatting for two whole hours!

"Looks like somebody needs some dinner." William chuckles.

"If you'd like to continue, I know a good burrito place." I reply, not wanting the night to end.

"Alright, but it's on me, Miss Jane. Lead the way!" the way he says my name sends a delightful shiver down my spine.

He gets up, and picks up the book he signed earlier while I gather my things. As we exit the cafe, I shiver, having forgotten to bring my jacket - I did not expect to be out so late!

"Jane, I'd like for you to take this." says William handing me his sweater.

"Oh don't worry! I'll be okay!" I blush, embarrassed he noticed, touched at his offer and flustered by the way his shirt clung to his torso.

"Please, I insist. I need inspiration for my next piece - 'The Pretty Girl in an Oversized Sweater'." he smiles teasingly.

He called me pretty! I step closer to him, my hands brush against his as I take the sweater. "Thank you." I say with a smile. The sweater is soft, warm and smells like him. I surreptitiously sniff at the collar, inhaling the scent of clean linens. It's strange, but he really does smell like clean laundry, I muse as I roll up the sleeves.

I do a quick twirl and strike a small pose for him. His laughs at my antics and his smile widens. I feel like the prettiest girl in the world as his gaze travels up and down my body. I chuckle as I take his outstretched arm, leading him to my favorite burrito truck.

We find a nearby park and I find a nice spot on the grass. We enjoy our burritos, making conversation about everything.

"I still think that grass smells better than leaves." I pout with indignance as I flop onto the grass.

William leans over with a devilish grin before brandishing a dandelion head. "Hmmm why don't we put that to the test?" He chuckles as he starts running the dandelion up and down my face as I burst into laughter at his tickling. I'm rolling around batting at him, trying to get him to stop. I am a god tier woman! I will not be defeated by a handsome man with a dandelion!

"GRASS"

"SMELLS BETTER hehehehehe"

"THAN ooooo"

"hahahaha LEAVES"

"OH GOD STOP WILLIAM!"

"Alright William you win!"

He grins triumphantly as he leans over my prone body. I'm sure my hair is all messed up and my clothes are all dirty from his onslaught, but something in his gaze makes my stomach coil with desire.

He looks up and notices that the night has gotten pretty late. He stands and offers his hand to help me up.

"It's gotten pretty late. I should walk you back to your dorms." he says as I take his hand.

I sigh, finally feeling the adrenaline wear off from the wonderful night. I am getting tired, and should head back. We gather our things and I lead the way through the park, past the library, and back to my dorms.

"Jane"

We're at the front gate of the dormitories and William has stopped walking, eyes turned to the ground. I turn to face him. He takes a deep breath before looking into my eyes.

"Jane, I had a wonderful evening tonight. I'm so glad I bumped into you today. I enjoyed your company and I'd really like to see you again."

I fix my eyes on him as I close the distance between us and wrap my arms around him, "Tonight was wonderful and I would love to see you again!"

His warm arms embrace me, and I breathe in his scent. His large hands run up and down my neck, drawing little circles, making my belly twist with want. I bring mine up to run through the soft hair at the nape of his neck, making him shiver. I feel his muscles and broad back beneath the fabric of his shirt. His chest is so warm and so large against me as my hands slowly drift down to his narrow waist to pull him even closer towards me.

As if prompted by my boldness, he brings his hands down to my waist, slipping them underneath the sweater. The heat from his palms feels so warm and right as he pulls me closer, gently squeezing my waist. My whole body tingles, my eyes flutter close at the sensation as I let out a small moan of pleasure.

He pulls back as he gently runs his hands up my back to the nape of my neck. He starts to rub small circles into my hair as I relax into his touch, my head slightly tilted to one side. I meet his intense gaze and his eyes drift to my lips. There is a hunger in his eyes as we lean in closer, our eyes softly closing. And finally, I feel his lips on mine as my whole body erupts in goosebumps.

I pull away first as I stare into that deep gray gaze. His eyes are sparkling and deep, and he's got the softest smile on his face.

"Goodnight, Jane." he says as he gives me the sweetest peck on my cheek.

I don't know why, but this gesture makes me blush from head to toe.

"Oh right!" I fumble around in my purse for a piece of paper to write my number.

"Call me!" I remark as I unlock the door and step into my dorm.

"I will!" he says as he waves me goodnight.

I shut the door and sink to the floor, my heart beating in overdrive and my body flush with want.

Just as I walk down the hall to my room, my phone beeps.

"Keep the sweater, my pretty girl 3" reads the text from an unknown number.