Chapter 3: A Glimpse of Vulnerability

The warm sunlight that streamed through the salon's windows highlighted the dust particles dancing in the air as Travis walked Charlie out. They stood on the sidewalk, hesitant to part ways, the sounds of the salon fading into the background. Charlie glanced at her phone, her brow furrowed in concern. "I'm so sorry again, Travis. This emergency appointment can't be rescheduled." Travis smiled understandingly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "No worries, I completely understand. It was great running into you, Charlie." He paused, his gaze lingering on hers. "Would you like to grab a cup of coffee with me sometime this week? Maybe we could continue our conversation?" Charlie's cheeks flushed a soft pink as she hesitated, her eyes darting around the sidewalk before returning to Travis's face. "I'd like that," she said finally, a small smile playing on her lips. Travis's face lit up with a warm smile. "Great! I'll send you a text and we can set something up." He pulled out his phone and typed in his number, his fingers brushing against Charlie's as he handed it to her. Their touch sent a spark of electricity through both of them, and they exchanged a charged glance. As Charlie walked back to her car, Travis couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. He had a feeling that this was just the beginning of something special. He watched her drive away, a smile still plastered on his face. The next day, Travis found himself wandering through the local art market, his eyes scanning the stalls for something to catch his eye. He had a sudden urge to buy Charlie a gift, something that would show her he was thinking of her. As he browsed through the stalls, he came across a beautiful handmade necklace, the intricate design catching his eye. The vendor, an elderly woman with a kind smile, noticed Travis's interest. "Ah, you've found the perfect piece," she said, her eyes twinkling. "That's one of my favorites. It's a symbol of creativity and passion." Travis knew he had found the perfect gift. He purchased the necklace and had it wrapped in a small box, his mind racing with excitement as he thought about Charlie's reaction. Later that evening, Travis sent Charlie a text, asking her to meet him at a coffee shop downtown. Charlie agreed, and they made plans to meet at 7 pm. As Travis arrived at the coffee shop, he spotted Charlie sitting at a small table by the window, her hair styled in loose waves and a bright smile on her face. He felt a surge of attraction as he walked towards her, the gift box safely tucked away in his pocket. Charlie looked up, her eyes locking onto Travis's, and he knew in that moment that he was in trouble. He was falling for her, hard. And he had a feeling that Charlie might just feel the same way.