This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
WC: 479
Genre: Contemporary Romance

          Lynette stretched her entire body, grasping for her prize in desperation. Her fingertips just brushed the spines on the top shelf before she fumbled, landing back on the ground. Even reaching on her tips toes, she was too short. She was always too short. It didn’t help that her college bookstore had no step ladders or stools she could’ve climbed to reach her quarry. To make matters worse, the store was always understaffed, making it difficult to find help.

          Lynette, feeling dejected, scowls at the top shelf and gathers her strength for another attempt at reaching the first of the Moonwalker Trials. As she fails again, she’s surprised to feel a gentle warmth at her back as a heady scent fills my nose. Images of pine forests and crisp winter breezes fill her senses. Her breath caught at the feel of a man’s chest pressed into her back. A flush heated her cheeks as he leaned into her, reaching over her head and grabbing the book she had been struggling to retrieve.

          “Is this the book you want?” A deep voice resonated through her back.

Lynette turned to face the stranger as he stepped back. With a warm, shy smile, he tilted the book towards her. Grateful, she returned his smile as she took the book and held it to her chest. “Yes, thank you.”

          “No problem,” the man said as he grabbed the third volume of the series.

          Eyes lighting up, Lynette peppered him with questions. Dustin, the bashful brunet, recommended the book with fervor, his enthusiasm growing as he found her excitement contagious. As the two bonded over their shared love of sci-fi and reading, they flowed into effortless conversation. Nested in a cozy corner of the small store, the pair grew lost in conversation. Time slipped away until Henry, the quad clock tower, chimed one.

          Lynette jumped to her feet and gave a hasty goodbye before hustling towards the checkout counter. Not realizing Dustin was following close behind, he almost bowled Lynette over as she came to an abrupt stop. Shoulders sagging as she breathed a sigh, the queue wrapped around the store. Her cell phone screen read 1:10 pm. Her Introduction to Women in Literature class started in twenty minutes. She would be late, judging by the line.

          Although she didn’t regret talking to Dustin, she wasn’t looking forward to the lecture she’d be in for by the professor. Mind wandering, Lynette worried her lower lip while swaying side to side. She registered the rich scent of Dustin’s cologne moments before he stood beside her.

Her distress apparent, Dustin suggested a solution. “Looks like you’re running late. Let me lend you my copy,” he proposed, his offer accompanied by a shy smile.

          Grateful for his kindness, Lynette exchanged numbers with Dustin. Their brief encounter, marked by laughter and shared interests, left an unforgettable mark.