I nodded. “They can be annoying.”
“You don’t go out with guys very often?”
I shook my head.
He smiled. “Good.”
Good? That’s an odd response.
I looked at my phone and saw the time. “I should probably get going.” In truth, I was so nervous around this man that I needed a break. He was so attractive but so intimidating at the same time.
He rose from his chair then helped me out of my seat. His actions made me smile. At least he was a polite gentleman. He threw our coffee away
then held the front door open. When we were outside, I stopped and looked at him.
“Thank you for the coffee.”
“Tell me that when we say goodnight.”
I raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“I’m walking you home.”
“Uh
, that’s really okay.”
He grabbed my arm—actually grabbed it—and walked me forward. He placed my arm through his and we walked down the street together. Since he placed me in that position, I didn’t dare move. Actually, I was happy that he did it. I liked
touching him. I felt warm walking next to him. I could feel the muscles of his arm through his jacket. He glanced down at me every once in a while.
When we returned to my apartment building, I
tried to pull my arm away but he wouldn’t let me.
“We aren’t at your door yet.”
“You really don’t have to do that.”
He ignored me. “Come on.”
When we got in the elevator, I didn’t pull my arm away. His hand was resting in his pocket and he shifted his weight to one leg. He turned to me and stared for a long time, his eyes gazing at my lips. I felt my heart accelerate as I thought about kissing him. I never wanted to kiss anyone like that before. His lips were so thin and pink. I wanted to stick my tongue in his mouth—stop. I couldn’t think like that. Things were getting out of hand.
When the doors open
ed, I breathed a sigh of relief. We walked down the hallway until I reached my apartment. I pulled away and grabbed my keys from my purse. I wanted to invite him into my apartment but I knew I couldn’t. With this level of attraction, I knew I would get myself into a mess. I turned toward him.
“Good night. And thank you for the coffee.”
He smiled. “Thank you for letting me walk you home.”
I nodded, unsure
of what to say.
“I’ll see you tomorrow at seven.”
“Okay.”
He continued to stand in front of me, staring at me. His look was so intense that I had to avert my gaze. He stepped closer and I could feel his breath fall on my cheek. I really, really wanted him to kiss me, but I also really, really didn’t want him to. I waited to see what would happen.
He leaned in and kissed me on the cheek. “Good night, Sadie.”
“Good night, Ethan,” I whispered.
“I can’t wait until I see you tomorrow.” He took a step back and watched me. “Now go inside.”
I was dizzy from the kiss he gave me. It was so childish—just a peck on the cheek—but I felt exhilarated. I was surprised that
he wanted to watch me walk inside. I turned the key then opened the door. After I walked inside, he started to walk away.
I leaned my head out of the doorway and stared at his ass as he walked away. When he reached the elevator, I felt my heart fall. I forgot tha
t the doors were covered in reflective metal. I could see his face in the reflection. He was smiling at me.
“You like what you see?” he asked as the doors opened.
I jumped back into my apartment and closed the door. I was so embarrassed that I slid to the floor and covered my face. Koku ran out and started to lick my face, calming me. I had never been more ashamed in my life. Ethan caught me blatantly staring at his ass. God, my friends would never let me hear the end of it after I told them.
3
The loud knock on the door made Koku bark. I rolled over and sighed. I was having a dream about Ethan, a really good one, before I woke up. I c
ouldn’t remember it that well, but his lips were pressed against mine and they tasted really good. I wanted the dream to come back to me but it was already gone.
The pounding continued.
“Muh,” I mumbled as I got up. I walked to the door with Koku trailing behind me. He stared at it and waited to see who was on the other side. I trained him not to run into the hallway years ago. He was a smart dog and I liked having him around. It got really lonely around the apartment when he wasn’t there.
I opened the door, and wasn’t surprised to see the people
greeting me.
“What happened?” Natascia asked, her eyes wide.
Stephanie was staring at me, waiting for an answer.
I yawned and wiped the sleep from my eyes. They looked over my shoulder, expecting to see a naked Ethan walk out of the room. “He’s not here.”
“He isn’t?” Natascia asked.
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not like that and you know
it.”
“Well, neither am I but I still would have done him. Did you see him? He was gorgeous.”
I smiled. “Yeah, he was.”
Stephanie stepped into the apartment then sat on the couch. We followed behind her. “Did you kiss him?”
“He kissed me on the cheek after he walked me home.”
“Awe,” they said together.
I rolled my eyes.
“Are you going to see him again?” Stephanie asked.
“We are going out to dinner tonight.”
Natascia clapped her hands together. “Yes.”
I covered my face with my hand. “I did something really stupid last night.”
Stephanie leaned forward. “What?”
“When he walked away, he caught me staring at his ass.”
Natascia laughed. “How was the view?”
I smiled. “It was nice—really nice.”
“And what did he say?” Stephanie asked.
My cheeks turned red. “You like what you see?”
Natascia laughed. “At least he has a sense of humor about it. It sounds like he really likes you.”
“How do you figure that?” I asked.
“Well, he wants to go out with you again and he just saw you yesterday.”
I shrugged. “I guess.”
“What do you mean, you guess?” Natascia said. “When it comes to guys
, you are so stupid.”
“Uh, thanks,” I said with a laugh. “Well, this guy is gorgeous and successful—he works on Wall
Street. What interest does he have in me?”
Stephanie stared at me. “You’re pretty too, Sadie.”
Natascia rolled her eyes. “No, you’re gorgeous. Stop acting like you’re not. I don’t know where your low self-esteem comes from.”
“Well, either way, the guy is out of my league.”
Natascia leaned forward. “Well, he wouldn’t have asked you out twice if he wasn’t interested.”
“Unless he just wants to get laid,” I countered.
“Wouldn’t he just pick up some other chick if that’s all he wanted?” Natascia asked.
I was quiet for a moment. “I guess you have a point.”
“You’re one of the dumbest smart people that I know,” Natascia said.
“Thanks,” I said with a laugh
.
There was knock on the door and we all flinched at the sound.
I looked at the clock on the wall. “That’s Jared. We’re going out to breakfast.”
Natascia sighed. “Well, it sounds like your wild—not really—story is over.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you.” I walked to the door, but before I opened it, I turned to them. “Don’t mention this to Jared.”
“Why?” Stephanie asked.
“Just don’t,” I argued. I opened the door. “Hey.”
He walked inside and nodded to my friends. “Hey. Had a sleepover?”
Natascia snorted. “No, unfortunately.”
I glared at her. “They were just leaving.”
Stephanie and Natascia stood up and walked out the door. “See you later,” they said as they disappeared.
“Where do you want to go?” Jared asked.
“The same place we always go.”
“But we
always
go there.”
“Because I like it.”
He sighed. “Don’t you get tired of it?”
“Fine. Where do you want to go?”
He was quiet for a moment. “Whatever.”
I stared at him for a moment. “You’re so annoying, you know that?”
He smiled. “The feeling is mutual.”
I grabbed my keys and we walked out the door. “So, how are you?”
“Good.”
I look at him. He was never this short with me. Most of the time
, I couldn’t get him to shut up. “What happened?”
He smiled. “I’m just having problems with Suzie. I think I’m going to end it.”
I nodded. “Thank god.”
“I figured you would be happy. I know you never liked her.”
I shook my head. “Definitely not. She’s too needy, jealous, and controlling. You deserve someone better.”
He laughed. “But I thought I was annoying.”
I smiled. “Well, you aren’t that bad.”
“I thought not.”
We left the building and made it to the sidewalk. We walked a few blocks before we reached the restaurant. They had brunch every Saturday so Jared and I went whenever we didn’t have plans. We took a seat by the window and faced each other.
“So, what did you do last night?”
“Uh, just went out with the girls.”
He grabbed a menu and looked at it.
I really wanted to change the subject. “You always order the same thing. Why do you need a menu?”
“Well, what if I change my mind?
”
“Have you ever?”
He smiled and put down the menu. The waitress came and took our orders. Jared ordered for the both of us. I always ordered the same thing too.
When she walked away, Jared looked at me. “So, what did you do last night?”
“I just said I went out with the girls.”
He shook his head. “You’re such a smartass. Went out
where
?”
“Just out.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Why are you being weird?”
“I’m not.”
“Then where did you go?”
“We went to a bar, okay?”
He laughed. “Wow, my sister put on her big girl panties.”
I rolled my eyes. “Shut up.”
“Get any takers?”
I was quiet for a moment. “No.”
“You know you can’t lie to me, right? I’ve seen you lie to Dad a hundred times. I know when you’re bluffing.”
“Well, there was this one guy.”
“And what happened?”
“We went out to coffee.”
He nodded. “Are you seeing him again?”
I smiled. “Tonight.”
“What does he do for a living?”
I rolled my eyes. “I hate it when you act like this.”
“Like what?” he asked, exasperated.
“Like a controlling, over-protective brother.”
“Well, it’s my job.”
“No, it isn’t. I can take care of myself.”
“By avoiding men at all costs,” he said with a laugh.
“Then your brotherly duties are relieved.”
“I would much rather have a sister that has shitty boyfriends than one who doesn’t have anyone at all.”
“I’m not having this conversation with you again.”
“Why are you like this?”
I sighed. “What did I just say?”
“Well, I don’t get it. You never give anyone a chance. What about Alex? That guy is like in love with you.”
“Not this again.” Alex was Jared’s friend. They met a few years ago and do almost everything together. I always had the suspicion that Alex had feelings for me, but I never thought they were so intense. My brother encouraged me to be with him, but I just never felt
anything for him. He was sweet—really sweet, attractive, and funny, but I don’t know. He never made my heart race. If I did decide to go out with him, it would be safe. I don’t think the guy would ever hurt me, but I still didn’t want to.
“Just give the guy a chance. I think you
’ll like him.”
“And if I don’t
, it will make everything awkward. I would never want to ruin any of your friendships.”
“Well, I’m giving you permission
, so just try.”
I rolled my eyes. “I just told you I have a date tonight.”
“What’s this guy’s name?”
“Ethan.”
“Ethan what?”
“I don’t know.”
“What are you doing tonight?”
“He’s
taking me to dinner.”
He nodded in approval. “So you like him
, then?”
I felt my cheeks blush. “Yeah.”
My brother caught the look. “So you like him a lot, then?”
I shrugged. “I just met the guy.”
“Well, your face is redder than a tomato.”
Thankfully, the waitress came over and handed us our dishes. We ate in silence for a
long time. My brother and I are barely over a year apart and I think that’s why we are so close. We always experienced life around the same maturity level. Sometimes we fought until we were on the brink of war, but we always settled our differences no matter what. My brother was a great guy—the best—but I would never tell him that. Besides, he probably already knew it anyway.
“When are you going to break up with Suzie?”
He sighed. “I don’t know. Next time I see her.”
“Make sure you hide all the dishes.”
He rolled his eyes. “I know.”
“She showed me wedding dresses last week. You need to do it soon.”
“That girl is crazy. We’ve been dating for a few months. I never mentioned marriage once. I didn’t even introduce her to Dad.”
“I don’
t know what her deal is. You sure know how to pick em’.”
He laughed. “Yeah, that’s true. I won’t make the same mistake twice.”
I stared at my brother across the table. He had the same dark hair and green eyes that I did. However, he was much taller and larger than me. He played a lot of sports with his friends and prided himself on his physique. My friends always told me they thought my brother was hot but I never mentioned it to him. It was weird to think about him in that way.
The waitress brought the bill and Jared paid for it like he always did. He refused to let me pay for anything. I never understood why. I didn’t need him to take care of me.
“So are you nervous about tonight?” he asked.
“So are you a girl now?”
He laughed. “I’m just trying to talk to you about this guy. You never go to bars and you never go out with people you see on the streets, or people in general, for that matter.”
I smiled. “Well, he convinced me.”
“And how did this guy manage to pull that off? He must practice hypnosis.”
“I don’t know,” I said honestly. “He just didn’t give me the opportunity to say no.”
“Well, that’s never worked for me.”
“He had a charming way of going about it.”
“Such as?”
“Well, instead of sending me a drink
from the bar, he sent me a rose.”
Jared rolled his eyes. “So cliché.”
“When have you ever seen a guy do that?”
“Whatever. It’s still cheesy.”
“Well, it worked.”
Jared rose from his seat. “You ready to go?”
“Yeah, sure.”
We left the restaurant and returned to the apartment building. My brother and I lived in the same complex. We didn’t do it on purpose. It just worked out that way. He lived a few stories above me and had an extra key to my apartment. Sometime
s, when he wanted to hide from Suzie, he would crash at my place. I didn’t mind. He never dropped by unexpectedly. He was always respectful of my privacy just like I was of his. I knew he would always protect me and defend me no matter what my crime. I felt the same way about him.
When the elevator stopped, I got out on my floor.
“Good luck tonight,” he said before the door closed.
“Uh, thanks.”
“And don’t chase him away by being annoying.”
“You only think I’m annoying because I’m your sister.”
“No. You really are annoying.”
“Piss off.”
He smiled. “Have fun.”
I smiled back. “Thanks.”
The elevator doors closed and he disappeared. When I came back to my apartment, a rose was taped to my door along with a note.