Kimberly had spent most of her Saturday afternoon at her favorite bookstore, browsing through the latest digital marketing strategy books she could add to her ever-growing collection. She always enjoyed coming here when she needed a break from work. The bookstore was cozy, with a warm atmosphere—quiet, and filled with the smell of fresh coffee and new pages.
As she wandered down one of the aisles, flipping through a book she had heard a lot about, she didn't notice that she'd bumped into someone until she heard a voice.
"Excuse me."
Startled, she looked up to see a man standing a few feet away, holding a book in his hand, a bemused smile on his face.
"Oh, sorry," she muttered, moving out of his way instinctively. But as she did, she realized she had bumped into the shelf, sending a few books tumbling to the floor. She bent down quickly to pick them up, hoping she hadn't caused a scene.
"I'm sorry," he said, stepping forward to help her. "I didn't mean to distract you."
Kimberly glanced up, a little embarrassed. "It's fine. Really. I'm just... clumsy today, I guess." She offered a small smile, though she felt self-conscious.
The man chuckled softly. "I'm Ryan, by the way," he said, extending his hand. "I don't think I've seen you around here before."
Kimberly took his hand, shaking it briefly. "Kimberly. Yeah, I'm here a lot, just... usually not talking to people."
Ryan raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Fair enough. I'll try not to interrupt your reading then."
She laughed lightly, her awkwardness easing a little. "It's not that I'm anti-social. I just... like my space, I guess."
Ryan nodded knowingly. "I get that. This place is kind of perfect for that." He glanced around at the bookshelves, then back at her. "So, what are you reading?"
Kimberly looked down at the book she was holding, flipping it open as she spoke. "A book about digital marketing strategies. I work in the field. Not exactly thrilling reading material, but it's what I do."
"Sounds interesting," he said, his tone sincere, though she could tell he was trying to keep the conversation light. "I'm actually looking for a good read too. Been too caught up in work lately. I might need something to unwind with."
She glanced up at him, noticing the faint smile playing on his lips, as if the idea of "unwinding" intrigued him. She could relate—though she hadn't been able to unwind properly in months.
"I've heard good things about The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck*," she said, then shrugged slightly. "But if you're looking for something a bit more... relaxing, you could try some fiction. I find it hard to read anything that's not related to work."
Ryan grinned. "I get that. It's hard to detach sometimes. But I might take you up on that suggestion. I've been stuck in the grind for too long."
They continued talking for a few more minutes, exchanging book recommendations and discussing work. Kimberly found herself surprised at how easily the conversation flowed. Normally, she wasn't one for small talk with strangers, especially not with guys. She had learned to keep her distance after everything that had happened in her past.
But there was something about Ryan that felt different. He wasn't pushy, and he wasn't trying too hard. There was no hidden agenda, no expectation. Just a simple, calm conversation.
"Well, it was nice meeting you, Kimberly," Ryan said, offering a small but genuine smile as they both stood by the counter. "I'll definitely check out that book. Maybe next time I'll be the one giving the recommendations."
Kimberly smiled back, trying not to feel too odd about the connection they had made. "Sure. Maybe I'll actually read something that isn't work-related for a change."
With that, they both parted ways, and as Kimberly made her way to the exit, she realized that for the first time in a long while, she felt... comfortable talking to someone. It wasn't much, but it was enough to make her pause and wonder if she'd see him again.
…
After Kimberly said her goodbyes and turned to leave, she couldn't shake the thought of the man she'd just met, Ryan. The brief interaction left her with a strange feeling—a flutter in her stomach she hadn't felt in a long time. It wasn't like the fleeting attention she'd received on dates set up by her friends. This felt different. Genuine, almost.
Shaking her head slightly, she dismissed the thought. Don't get attached, Kim. She reminded herself firmly. She'd been down that road before—too trusting, too naive, too willing to let someone in. Her heart was better off guarded. Safer.
As she made her way home, her mind wandered back to her friends' words the other day at the Tuesday Tea, when they'd all asked her why she kept pushing love away. Chloe, especially, had been blunt, suggesting that she was afraid of what might happen if she let someone in. But Kimberly couldn't tell them the truth—not yet. They didn't know about her past. She'd never told anyone, not even Audrey, her closest friend and roommate.
Just keep moving forward. Work. Focus on work. That's all she had to do.
Kimberly's phone buzzed as she unlocked her apartment door. It was an email from her client, requiring her to make last-minute changes to an ad campaign. Perfect timing, she thought, as she settled into her work nook. At least she could drown out the quiet discomfort swirling inside her.
Later that night, Audrey came into their shared living room, holding her phone and a half-eaten sandwich in her hands. She dropped beside Kimberly, who was seated at the desk, typing furiously on her laptop.
"Long night?" Audrey asked, her voice a little teasing but also sympathetic.
Kimberly didn't even glance up. "You have no idea. Another client with last-minute changes. And my other campaign is due next week. I swear, digital marketing never gives me a break."
Audrey chuckled, flopping back onto the couch. "I know the feeling. My salon's been booming, but sometimes I think I need a break from it all."
Kimberly nodded, but her mind wasn't on the conversation. It kept drifting back to the bookstore and Ryan. Why am I even thinking about him? She thought to herself. It was a one-time encounter. Nothing to overthink.
Audrey, who clearly noticed her distraction, tilted her head slightly. "Okay, spill it. You're clearly lost in thought."
Kimberly sighed. She closed her laptop and leaned back in her chair. "It's nothing. Just... work stuff. Clients driving me insane."
Audrey gave her a knowing look, then glanced down at her phone. "Yeah, right. You've been zoning out like that for the past hour. Come on, I know when something's bothering you. Spill. What's going on in that head of yours?"
Kimberly didn't want to talk about it, not yet. But Audrey wasn't going to let her off easy. She knew her too well. "It's just..." Kimberly paused, her fingers tapping nervously on the desk. "I met someone today. At the bookstore."
Audrey's eyebrows shot up. "Ooh, okay, now we're talking. Tell me everything."
Kimberly shook her head, a small, hesitant smile forming. "It's not like that. I don't know. It was just a conversation. He was nice, but that's all. I barely even know him."
"Uh-huh, nice conversation, huh?" Audrey's voice held a playful tone. "Doesn't sound like nothing to me. What's his name?"
"Ryan," Kimberly muttered, her face flushing slightly. "He's just some guy I bumped into, and we talked for a while."
Audrey leaned forward, a glint of curiosity in her eyes. "Kim, you're blushing. I know you. You've never reacted to a random guy like this before. Come on, spill the real tea."
Kimberly bit her lip, trying to keep her emotions in check. She wasn't ready to dive into this yet—not with Audrey, not with anyone. "There's nothing to spill, Audrey. I'm just... I don't know. I've been working too much and it threw me off. That's all."
Audrey didn't buy it. "Come on, tell me what you're thinking. I know you too well."
Kimberly sighed and let her shoulders drop. "I don't know what I'm thinking. It's just... I don't let people in, you know? And... I don't even know why this guy's making me feel like this. It's not like I can just go and—" She stopped herself, not wanting to continue.
Audrey was quiet for a moment, studying her. Then she said, gently, "Kim, you've been shutting people out for so long, I think you've forgotten how to just... let someone be nice to you. Maybe it's time to try again. Not with the whole 'love' thing. Just... let someone be there for you."
Kimberly remained silent, staring at her hands, trying to ignore the rising warmth in her chest. She wasn't ready for this. Not yet. She had too many walls built, too many reasons to stay locked up.
"Just don't shut it down completely," Audrey added softly, standing up. "At least let yourself see where it could go. You deserve a little bit of happiness too, you know?"
Kimberly didn't respond. She couldn't. Instead, she turned back to her laptop, pretending to dive into her work. But as the evening wore on, her mind kept drifting back to Ryan—his smile, his casual confidence, the way he made her feel like she could relax just for a moment. For the first time in a long time, it felt like there was someone who might just be able to break through the walls she had so carefully built around herself.