@onsras
Plucking a book from the shelf Abel leafed through the pages. He was always pleased to find his student's published works dotting the shelves of bookstores around the nation. He tucked the book into the nook of his arm and continued down the aisle spotting a poster promoting a new book that had come out that day. Abel swallowed hard, it was Mara. Sure he was happy for her successes, and he'd read every one of her books, but something about the title of this one made him feel uneasy.
Abel moved to the table of books with her name penned on the cover. He flipped to the back of the book eyes tracing over her author's bio. A long sigh fell from his mouth. "Anything I can help you with sir?" A plucky employee had wandered over to him. Abel shook his head. "The author is coming in for a signing this afternoon." The employee motioned to the book Abel was holding, Mara's book. "Thanks for letting me know." Abel nodded, bringing the book along with the others he'd plucked from the shelf to the counter to pay.
Quickly paying for his books, Abel's head was spinning, his stomach in knots. Part of him knew he needed to face her, but how could he. He'd left her. She probably didn't want to see him anyways. Abel crossed the street ducking inside a coffee shop and taking a seat by the window, in perfect view of the bookstore. He sat for a few hours waiting for the signing to begin and nursing an americano he'd purchased.
He saw cars arrive, and he could just barely see through the long line of people that had arrived to meet Mara and get their books signed. He swallowed his pride waiting until the line was almost at it's end. Abel gathered his things and joined the line, keeping himself hidden until it was his turn. He slid the book onto the table. "Hello Miss Waterhouse." He mused softly. "Can you make this one out to Abel."
