Sarah's alarm went off at the ungodly hour of eight o'clock. It was as early as her night owl ways would allow. Despite her great intention to wake up as soon as the alarm went off, Sarah still hit snooze a couple times. Those extra five minutes weren't going to make her any less tired, but she just couldn't help herself.

All she could think about was her picnic with Chuck yesterday. She'd set her alarm to make sure she got there on time today. Sleeping until noon wasn't the best way to spend time with a morning person.

The moment she walked into the store and saw Chuck, she smiled. Her smile only grew wider when she saw that he'd brought her a latte.

"Oh you wonderful, wonderful man," she said, rushing forward to have a sip of her hot coffee.

"It's just a latte," Chuck replied. "If you hadn't come, I'd have drunk both."

"Why on earth wouldn't I have come?" Sarah asked.

Chuck raised his eyebrows at her. "I do recall something about how you slept in until noon yesterday."

"Fair," Sarah agreed, taking another sip of the caffeinated heaven in her hands. "Though that would have made me late, not absent." She drank a few more sips of her coffee before adding, "I set an alarm today."

"Oh an alarm!" Chuck said brightly. "On your holiday. That is high praise."

"You are worth it," Sarah replied.

"Thanks," Chuck said. Sarah could tell he didn't believe her. It wasn't like he thought she was lying or anything. It seemed to her more like Chuck just didn't see himself very clearly. He couldn't really understand what she saw in him. It made her even more nervous about telling him how famous and successful she really was. He was insecure even when she just paid for dinner. She couldn't imagine how he'd react if he found out what her net worth was.

"So what do you usually do when there aren't any customers?" Sarah said, trying to make conversation.

"Depends how productive I'm feeling," Chuck replied. "Some days, I play on my phone and other days I stock shelves and dust and stuff."

"Ah, and what is the plan for today?" Sarah asked.

"Well today you are here," Chuck stated. "So we can hang out between customers."

Sarah walked around the counter and sat in the chair behind the counter where Chuck was standing. Taking another sip of her coffee she inquired after their next conversation topic.

"Well, I've been thinking I don't really know much about you," Chuck explained.

"What would you like to know?" Sarah asked.

"Everything," Chuck replied.

Sarah laughed. "I'm not sure how to tell you everything. Where would I even begin?"

Chuck was laughing as well when he said, "Okay fair point. How about we start with why you chose Tofino as your vacation stop?"

"Well, that's a funny story really," Sarah chuckled. "So I haven't been to a small town since I was a kid. I decided that for this vacation, I wanted to go somewhere homey. When I asked the guy at the airport for something like that, he suggested Tofino."

"That's it?" Chuck said flatly, as if he'd expected a more complicated answer.

"I said it was a funny story, not a long one," Sarah replied, with a chuckle.

"You said you were born north of here," Chuck began. "Where exactly?"
"Though I think of it as a small town, compared to Tofino, Prince George is huge. I only lived there until I was ten though," Sarah replied. This was beginning to feel like an interrogation. Sarah felt like it was time to even things out.

"Do I get to ask a question now?" she asked.

"Sure."

"I have a handful of jerky exes," Sarah said. "But I suspect the same can't be said of you."

"You want to talk dating history already," Chuck laughed.

"Can't blame a girl for being curious," Sarah remarked.

"Alright, but you first," Chuck said. "Elaborate on jerky exes."

"Fair enough," Sarah said. "My last relationship ended a few months ago and he turned out to be just as bad an ex-boyfriend as he'd been a boyfriend." She decided to leave out the bit about how she suspected he'd only been dating her for the attention.

"How can someone be a bad ex?" Chuck asked, clearly baffled by the concept.

"Oh you know, showing up where they aren't wanted and making an ass of themselves," Sarah replied. "That kinda crap. Your turn."

Chuck sighed deeply before saying in a sad voice, "I really just have one ex. My high school girlfriend Jill, and she dumped me so she could experience the single college life."

"Well, that's horrible," Sarah said.

"Yep," Chuck sighed. "She moved away right after high school and never so much as replied to a text after that."

"Brutal!" Sarah added, supportively. "I hate her already."

"Nah, it's okay," Chuck shrugged. "I don't hate her. Just kinda sucked being left behind. Happens a lot in a small town. Most of my graduating class moved away right after high school."

Before Sarah could think of a good way to reply, they were interrupted by a customer entering the shop. Chuck responded automatically while Sarah sat behind the counter and watched him work.

Another customer followed soon after and Sarah got comfortable with her coffee. Chuck greeted everyone who walked through the door, got things down off high shelves for customers, and generally made himself very useful.

It was at least an hour before the store was empty of customers again. Sarah understood why Chuck thought she'd be bored here today, but somehow she wasn't. Watching Chuck work was rather relaxing. She felt like she was learning more about him every minute.

"Sorry about that," Chuck said as the last customer left. "I told you hanging out during my shift would be boring."

"Not at all," Sarah replied. "I quite like watching you work."

"I have no idea why," Chuck laughed. He was standing behind the counter again, but had his back to the door so he could look at Sarah.

"You are kinda amazing," she told him. Chuck just laughed as if this were totally impossible. It made her wonder if explaining herself might help break through that insecurity of his. "I mean it. You're honest, kind and caring. Funny and smart. How lucky am I that you are still single?"

"Me single is just the status quo," Chuck said, self-mockingly. "In a town this small, I was lucky to have a high school girlfriend at all. Everyone knows everyone. Dating options are extremely limited." Her concern must have shown on her face since his self-mocking laughter died as they looked at each other. The sun was streaming in through the window, illuminating his face. She got up out of the chair and moved just those few feet closer. Sarah reached up, gently taking Chuck's face in both her hands as she looked into his eyes.

"There is nothing status quo about you," Sarah whispered. "For my sake, I am glad you are single, but even if you are unaware of it, you are worth snatching up, Charles." He didn't speak, but he didn't break eye contact with her either.

From one moment to the next, Sarah was lifted up into the air and then he was kissing her. She tangled her hands in his hair, while he pulled her closer. They fell backwards against the back wall, Chuck pressed his body more firmly against her as the kiss deepened. He was so warm and close, she couldn't stop herself from hiking up her leg to wrap it around his waist. He had one hand against the wall while the other moved down her body, over her breasts.

"Charles," Sarah gasped as he released her lips to trail kisses down her neck. "If we don't stop now, I'm going to tear off all your clothes."

Chuck pulled away. Both of them panting, trying to catch their breath. She unlocked her legs from behind his back, and slid slightly against the wall until she was standing on her feet again.

"Sorry," Chuck mumbled.

"Don't be sorry!" Sarah said. "I just wish we weren't in a public place right now."

Chuck laughed nervously. "Maybe it was a good thing we were."

"What makes you say that?"

"I've never felt like this before," Chuck said. "Never wanted someone so much before. I like you far more than I should."
"I like you far more than I should, too," Sarah echoed. "This is new to me as well."

"I highly doubt that," Chuck laughed.
"Alright, yes I have more exes," Sarah agreed. "But that doesn't mean I've ever felt like this before. Technically speaking, I broke up with someone not long before I came here, but I already care more for you than I ever did for him."

"We just met," Chuck reminded her, but Sarah sensed anxiety and insecurity in his voice. "That's not possible. You're just on the rebound."

"No!" Sarah said quickly. "Oh god no, Chuck! I felt nothing when we split. Well, nothing but relief, and all my previous relationships have been like that, too. I thought there was something wrong with me, but you have shown me differently."

"Sarah I-" Chuck started. "I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything," Sarah replied. "Just believe me, please." Chuck smiled, and Sarah couldn't resist touching him again. She reached out and wrapped her arms around him in a hug. To her relief, Chuck hugged her back.

The ring of the door opening interrupted them again, but at least they were just hugging when the customer walked in. Just a few moments earlier and it would have been a very different story.

Sarah got comfy in her chair to watch. She'd finished her latte by now and was just starting to think about breakfast, and maybe more coffee.

It wasn't quite an hour this time, when the store was empty again. Chuck made three sales and helped another person with a gift card.

"It's definitely time for lunch," Chuck said as he came over to her.

"I was thinking: breakfast," Sarah countered. Chuck just laughed.

"Okay how about lunch for me and breakfast for you then," he corrected.

"Great. I'll go get something and be back then," Sarah said with a smile.

"Not so fast!" Chuck said. "Let me give you some money."

Sarah just waved away his request. "You bought lattes," Sarah argued. "It's my turn."
"Lattes don't count," Chuck disagreed as he held out cash.

"All about chivalry, aren't you?" Sarah said with a dramatic sigh, but she couldn't stop grinning.

"Yep," Chuck smiled. Sarah laughed as she left the store without taking his cash.

She was feeling slightly giddy, and before she knew it she was skipping down the sidewalk. The light feeling in her heart was just begging her to sing.

"Your lovin' is all I really need," Sarah sang out one of her own songs as she walked to the nearest cafe. "You lift me high, high into the sky on a word. I hear singing in my heart as I see you smile."

Her mind was full Chuck. His beautiful eyes, kind smile, gentle soul, and vulnerable heart were all she could think of as she continued to sing the love song she wrote long before she understood it.

Once inside the cafe, Sarah decided it was safest not to sing her big hits. She was sure someone here had a camera phone and would end up filming her, so she just waited in line and ordered like everyone else.

"A tuna melt for you," Sarah said, as she handed Chuck his lunch about twenty minutes later. "A breakfast sandwich for me, and two coffees."

"Thanks," Chuck said, accepting the meal. "But you could have taken the cash."

Sarah ignored him and instead focused on her food.

They were almost finished eating when the door to the store opened again. Chuck put down what remained of his meal to greet the customers.

Sarah thought this whole customer service industry wasn't very fair to its employees if they can't even finish a meal while it was hot. She said as much to Chuck when the customer left and he got to return to his cold food.

Chuck just laughed. "It's the downside of working alone I'm afraid," he said. "We just don't have enough staff for two people a shift. I usually pack lunch. Or mom leaves one in the back for me."

"Why don't you hire more staff?" Sarah asked.

"We are a family business," Chuck said. "But we also can't afford it. We kinda just do okay if we are open long hours with little staff."

"So you are saying this store is only staffed by you, your mom, dad and sister?"

Chuck was shaking his head as he finished chewing. "No, just me and my folks. Ellie works here only when she's home, which isn't often. She's spent the last four years in med school."

"Are you guys at least closed on Sunday?" Sarah asked, but Chuck was shaking his head again. "Well then, it's very clear to me that you are all working far too much."

He laughed at that. "I mean it isn't a lot of work when no one is here, and my boss can't exactly fire me, so I get away with pretty much anything. For example, today I have a rather lovely behind-the-counter helper."

"That would imply that I am actually helping," Sarah said. "Which I am not." She laughed. "But I almost feel like I should now."

"Don't worry about it," Chuck said. "Sometimes Morgan covers a shift or two when Dad is out of town, like he is now. That is when he isn't working at the diner. I promise it really does work fine for us. "

"If you say so," Sarah replied, but she was still dubious.

"Anyway, you don't have to stick around all day," Chuck said. "You've finished eating and I'm sure there's a spa or other great tourist thing you can do while I finish up my shift."

"Do you want me to go?" Sarah asked, concerned that she was bothering him.

"No, it's not that," Chuck said quickly. "It's just I really won't hold it against you if you don't want to hang out here all day."

Sarah smiled and got a little more comfortable in her chair. "I like it here," she said.

So once again, I find myself cutting a chapter in half. This story is either going to be longer than the original or I have simply moved things around in a strange way and will end up realizing it's the same as before. Both the first version of this story and the one with original characters were 19 chapters in total, so we shall just have to see how this one plays out. ;)

Also it seems that I forgot to add the goodnight kiss to the end of their date in the last chapter. Oops! You all noticed right away. It wasn't meant to be a cold goodnight or anything, I just forgot. So I fixed it. A very minor change but hopefully it feels a bit better now.