Among the Wind Chimes

Adam winced as the fourth cart to ram into him that day. The holidays were always chaos, the shoppers making crowded aisles feel like a battlefield.

”Hey.” Stevie’s hand settled on his shoulder, the familiar touch grounding him instantly. She held up a glass quail, smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Isn’t it cute? Your mom would love this!”

The bird slipped from her fingers. She winced and stepped back into Adam, whose gentle touch welcomed her. Her perfume - grassy and sweet - filled his senses.

Miraculously, the bird bounced and rolled - unscathed.

“Sturdier than it looks,” Adam muttered, lingering in her scent.

Stevie cocked her head, almond eyes meeting his, “Guess I should go get that.” Warm breath tickled his face.

She peeled herself from his light embrace, and captivated him, putting on a show she wasn’t planning to watch. Flashing him a knowing glance, she tucked her auburn hair behind her ear.

Adam swallowed hard, watching as she bent at the waist in a dramatic arc. Her skater dress pulled just enough to tighten at her hips, her beautifully toned legs demanding his attention.

Mid-reach, she snapped her head around. “Adam!”

Heat bloomed in his cheeks. “It isn’t my fault!” Horror danced across his eyes.

Silence.

Stevie brushed past him. He recoiled with embarrassment. She stopped and leaned in, “You know,” flashing a delicious grin, “if you wanted to look you should’ve said so.”

“Maybe I’m just tired of looking…”
“Maybe I’m tired of pretending.”

An admission.

Her eyes widened. She smiled - really smiled - and closed the space between them, her perfume enveloped him.

Right there, in the middle of the aisle, surrounded by birdhouses and wind chimes, his world narrowed to her. Her lips, soft and warm, radiated comfort - familiar yet thrillingly unknown.