Chapter One

A brief encounter that has a lasting effect

Elizabeth Adams sat alone at a corner table in a rustic coffee shop. She wrapped her hand around the mug before her as she glared down at the table, watching how the knotted wood created an intricate pattern. Her stare still fixated she lifts her mug and takes a small sip of the warm drink, feeling it burn as she swallowed. But nothing burned like the bitter pill she had to swallow moments ago. Elizabeth turned twenty today, but she honestly couldn't care less. The year she had just experienced was enough to push anyone over the edge, Elizabeth thought she was doing reasonably well but after the news she received today she wasn't so sure anymore. So Elizabeth did what she always did, she took herself off to the corner of the same coffee shop she had been going to for nearly 10 years with her family, but sometimes she liked to come alone to think.

She inhaled deeply and broke her gaze, taking another sip of her drink; trying to wash away the grains of sand in her mouth that were also known as the truth. Elizabeth had lost her parents and brother in a horrific car accident just ten months ago; she honestly didn't know how she got to where she is today; all she knew was that it was not easy, she struggled every day, in fact she was almost certain if it was not for her coursework at UVA then she probably wouldn't be here; at least not mentally. One of the hardest blows for Elizabeth came just six weeks ago, It would have been her brothers eighteen birthday had he not been in the accident with her parents. The loss of her brother hit Elizabeth harder than she could ever image possible, alcohol became her comforter that night.

'Excuse me, may I take this seat, everywhere else is full' a voice of a young man broke her from her thoughts, she swallowed the dry lump in her throat and cast her eyes upon him.

'Sure' she smiled softly, despite all the hardships she was still soft in affect, her persona warm and welcoming; she guessed she hid it well, because she was certain if people knew the baggage she carried they'd walk away. The young man thanked her and took a seat opposite. Her vacant stare and dried eyes didn't go unnoticed by him. He sipped on his coffee and debated sitting in silence or talking to the young blonde before him.

'Hi I'm Henry, Henry McCord' he smiled at her, she looked up and smiled back, there was something about this stranger that drew her in

'Hi, Elizabeth Adams' her gentle words flooded his body; suddenly he found he wanted to know more than just her name.

'Do you come here often? I've never been before but everyone recommends it' he looked around at the jam packed shop and Elizabeth stifled a small laugh; the first laugh in ten months.

'Yeah, almost daily actually, they make the best bear claws' she picked up her pastry and offered him some, despite the fact she never shares food.

'No thank you, I have a blueberry muffin here'

'Ohhh now they are just divine' she shifted in her seat sitting more up right and leaning; her body language open, his brown eyes and engaging smile had her hooked.

'Well, why don't we share; half and half' he raised an eyebrow

'Alight, you're on' and she tore the claw in half handing him half and accepting the half of the muffin from him.

'So, tell me to shut up but I couldn't help but notice that your mind looked preoccupied before I came over' he bit his lip, was he being too forward? Why was he worried about her? Why did he care?

'Just had a tough day, well a tough year and today was the, shall we say final straw' she inhaled deeply, the reality slapping her in the face. She had sat and asked for a sign, for something good to come her way, she allowed her mind to wonder for a moment; was Henry her sign? Was he the good thing? Of course not, she thought to herself and blinked the thought away as she bit down into her muffin. Henry repeated her actions.

'Oh wow, yep you were right, this is divine' he moaned in pleasure as his taste buds lapped up the delicious muffin.

'See, I told you' she laughed. Laughing again, that's the second time. Who is this man?

'So you were saying about your bad day?'

'Oh no, let's not get into that, I never let a bad story ruin a good muffin' she brushed his comment away.

'Ok, so do you go to UVA?'

'Yes, Math Major. I will be finishing in eighteen months, how about you?'

'Just finishing, I am a Marine Corp, fighter pilot' he smiled proudly.

'Wow, congratulations. That is such an incredible achievement' her voice laced with sincerity.

'Thank you, but Math really?' he teased

'Yes! Math makes sense' she argued back, but it wasn't a line of defence, it was the truth.

Henry and Elizabeth spent quite some time, re-ordering in drinks and chatting away getting to know one another. In fact they had spent nearly four hours within one another's company. Elizabeth thrived in his company; everything was forgotten and she felt like Elizabeth Adams again, she had never known anything like it. Henry was infatuated with her, what he didn't tell her was that he initially ordered his coffee to go, but when he spotted her sitting there; her radiant glow drew him close and he had to get to know her. In the moment she introduced herself he knew that this brief encounter was going to have a lasting effect on him.

'I really need to get going, I have well, things to sort' she was vague and Henry sensed she was referring to her bad day.

'Of course, are you walking or...?'

'I drove, thank you' she smiled standing to gather her things.

'Thank you Elizabeth' he nodded politely and watched as she grabbed her things and left. Henry stood for a moment before following her out the door.

'Wait, Elizabeth, wait' he called after her. She turned around assuming she had forgotten something, she looked up at him. It was the first time all day she had noticed just how handsome he was.

'Can I see you again?' he boldly asked.

She tilted her head shocked. She looked over her shoulder and back at Henry confused.

'Me?' she clarified

'Yes you' he laughed

'Urm, Oh I don't know Henry, this afternoon was wonderful and you made my day so much better you really did but, I am not a great person to be around at the moment, I have... well I have stuff to deal with and lots of it I guess, so save yourself and walk away. I can pretend you never stopped me and this didn't happen' she smiled. There was something about him that she respected. That is most likely why she was honest and open with him.

'You're not walking away' she raised her eyebrow at him

'Nope...' he placed his hands in his pockets and rocked on his feet still smiling at her.

'Henry, I don't think-'

'So don't think, just do' he shrugged and she looked into his eyes; they were full of honestly and sincerity.

'You really don't want to go there with me Henry, I'm complex' she sighed heavily, her head dipping as her reality hit her.

'Hi Complex, I'm Henry, and I still want to see you again' He winked, he knew in an instant that she was someone worth holding onto. He could feel it.

'Ok, Ok fine' she chuckled. That time it didn't catch her off guard, she was already used to laughing in his presence.

'Great, here...' he scribbled down his address on a napkin he took from the cafe and handed it to her.

'I am at that address all week; I have some things around the apartment to do before I move to my new one in ten days, so as I know you have a car, come and visit me. Oh and bring food' he smiled before turning to walk away. As he walked a few steps in front he turned back to face her.

'Nice to meet you Elizabeth Adams, Ms Complex' his soft tone coursed her veins and her mouth widened as a smile crept upon her.

'See you soon Henry' she replied and waved him goodbye.