Tuesday Tales - Word Prompt - Victor

 Welcome! We are continuing from last week with more of "Someone Like You." Last week, Mark had stopped the car and confronted Charlotte about being alone with him in the woods. Their conversation continues... when you're finished reading this, hop on over and read the other wonderful stories. Find them HERE. 

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“Well, it’s just that we’ve never been alone together before…” 

He laughed one short laugh. “Oh, I see. Would you rather we go down to the pond on campus? There’s a picnic table there we could use,” he said.

Relief flooded her. If that man had evil intentions would he offer to move the picnic to campus where the whole world could see them? She guessed not.

“No, that’s okay.”

“Really, Charlotte. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable or afraid to be alone with me. I’d never in a million years hurt you. But those are just words to you. The campus is a little too public for my taste, but there are picnic tables in the Park, too. How about that? A compromise? A little more public than I had planned.”

“Okay.”

Suddenly embarrassed to have doubted this man she was half in love with already, she fiddled with her purse and stared at her hands.

“Are you sure? We can stay on campus, too?”

“No, no. That would never work,” she said, gripping his forearm.

“I want you to be comfortable. With me.”

“I know. And I have been. It’s just something my mother once said to me.”

“Oh?” he raised an eyebrow.

“It’s nothing. I was a little kid back then. Things are different now.”

“It never hurts to be cautious,” he said, reaching over and tipping her chin up to make eye contact.

One look in his eyes and she felt ridiculous. She pushed up and brushed her lips against his.

“Oh, okay!” he said with a laugh.

She laughed, too, relieved she’d broken the tension. As usual, her mother had been the victor.  

He turned the car back on. When they hit the country lane that lead to the highway, he closed his fingers over her hand. She turned and watched his profile as he drove. He kept the car at an even pace, not too fast and not too slow. Yes, she said to herself. That was Mark. Steady. Dependable. Two qualities she treasured. 

That's all for this week. Thanks for stopping by!