James liked the way Cassie felt, pressed up against him like that, pulling closer to him.  It had been a while since he'd had that much physical contact with another person.  Small towns were always insular, and even if they were James always felt like the outsider and that perhaps caused him to push people away; or maybe he'd just been unlucky for a long while.  Whatever it was, having her that close was exciting.<br/><br/>He studied her for a few moments after she pulled away so suddenly, unsure what to make of things.  She seemed to want to be close to him, and then in an instant she wanted her distance.<em>Am I reading this wrong?</em>he asked himself.<br/><br/>"No, it was fine, really.  I didn't mind at all."  He made a placating gesture.  "You don't have to run off, I usually won't bite."  He moved back behind the counter so that there'd be something between them, hoping that this would calm her.<em>Kind of like a startled animal</em>, he thought,<em>unsure of whether to run or stay.</em>He placed the book on the counter next to the register.<br/><br/>"I'm kind of flattered, actually.  Nobody's wanted to get to know me for a long time now.  Of course, as much travelling as I did they might not have had the chance to... ah, well, it is what it is."  He stopped for a moment, then came to a decision.<em>Hell with it, what do you have to lose?</em>"Listen," he said, trying to gauge her reaction, "why don't we grab lunch together sometime?  If nothing else, I can listen to whatever's bothering you."