Adrian
Sophia has beenon my mind since I dropped her off last night. Her arms wrapped around me as we drove through the city made me a lot happier than it should have. She’s the first person I’ve ever let on my bike. Not even Miranda was able to do that. It may have taken some convincing to get her on the thing, but in the end, it worked out in my favor.
Her brother was a surprise, though. I can’t help wondering if he’s staying there because he’s being overprotective. Not that it’s a bad thing. I like that he’s looking out for her, but it will dampen the moments I take her home because I’ll always think he’s there, watching out the window, waiting for me to completely screw up.
The smell of coffee fills the apartment, and I breathe in as much of the intoxicating scent as I can. I’m definitely going to need it today after staying up late last night. Normally, I come home after work, turn on the TV and pass out before even showering. Last night, I couldn’t turn my brain off. The feel of her body pressed up against mine, and the taste of her lips. The beer from the bar still present on them as I drank her in.
Groaning, I lay my head on the counter. If these thoughts of her keep up, I’m going to have to take a cold shower before going into work, and I’m already running late. I wasn’t lying when I told her I look forward to going to work. I love my job. But today, I’m ecstatic to go in. Seeing Sophia after last night will be the icing on the cake. It will be hard not to sneak away to the break room every chance I get.
The coffee finally stops dripping from the machine, and I grab a travel cup to pour it into. Adding a small amount of sugar, I call it done, and walk out of the apartment. The question is… what do I take to work today? The motorcycle will give me a chance to have Sophia’s arms wrapped tightly around me again. But one look at the cup in my hands, and I know I need to take the car so I have a place to set this. It’s a busy day for Life in Ink, and I need to get in gear to make sure everything is set up.
* * *
Music blasts from Bianca’s room as soon as I walk in. This is why we rarely have music playing in the whole shop unless Corey is here. We can never agree on what should be played. It’s best to keep it to our small speakers in our own areas.
I set my coffee cup and backpack on the table in my room before walking to the break room. Charleigh is poking through the freezer, and doesn’t know that I’ve walked in. I could be nice and let my presence be known, but I’m certain she’s digging through my bag of frozen burritos. And, I can’t have that. “See something you like?”
“Fuck, Adrian,” she yells and tosses the bag to the back of the freezer. “You scared the shit out of me.”
“Then stop pawing through my food like a starving animal.” I bend down, picking up the burrito she dropped. “If you wanted one all you had to do is ask.”
She yanks it out of my hand and opens it. “You weren’t here, yet. And I was hoping I’d have the evidence cleared away before you came in.” She shrugs her shoulders, “But I will gladly eat this one. Thank you.”
“You’re such a drama queen,” I roll my eyes. “While you’re at it, fix me a couple, too.”
“You could say please,” she argues.
“And you could eat your own food.” I shouldn’t enjoy getting under skin as much as I do, but it’s hard not to. Besides, someone has to prepare her for the teen years. Jake’s daughter, Layla, still has a way to go, but it will be here before she knows it.
“Point taken.” She grabs two more and sets them on a plate before putting them in the microwave.
When I didn’t see Sophia at the front desk, I was sure she would be in here, putting away her lunch. Maybe I did scare her off last night, especially after she saw me readjusting my pants. What can I say? That kiss was fucking hot, and had her brother not been home, might have turned into something more. Damn, kid brothers get in the way.
The minute the microwave dings, Charleigh pulls my plate out and shoves it in my hands. It’s so hot I almost drop it. “You could have let it cool down,” I mutter.
“Yeah, but that would be even longer before I could put mine in. I’m getting hangry. Jake ate the last of my favorite cereal this morning.”
“I guess you get a pass this one time.” Grabbing a paper towel off the table, I walk back to my area and close the door. Anything to drown out Bianca’s hyper music. It’s too early, and I’m too tired, for that mess.
I’ve just finished eating when I notice Bianca’s music has been turned down, and I hear Sophia. “Oh my gosh, he’s such a jackass.” Hopefully she’s not talking about me. That would certainly deflate my ego, and make me think I imagined the spark and connection we shared last night.
Peeking out of my door, I search for the woman who plagues my thoughts. But she’s not in the lobby. I don’t hear her voice coming from Charleigh or Bianca’s rooms either. Maybe she decided to go back home. I pick up my plate and head to the break room just in case she’s in there, and this will be my excuse if she is. Not that I need one to see her, but it will make it less obvious that I’ve been searching her out.
Luck is on my side today. She’s throwing her lunch box into the refrigerator, and wears a scowl that would make most people cower in fear. I think it’s cute though. “Why are we yelling and in a bad mood this morning?”
“Ugh,” she groans. “My brother.”
Did he warn her away from me? If so, I’ll have to talk to him. Let him now I don’t have any bad intentions when it comes to his sister. Throwing my plate away, I lean against the door. “Care to elaborate?”
“He’s a self-involved know it all that thinks he knows what’s best for me.” She picks up the pink metal cup she always brings with her and puts it under the ice maker. The ice clanks around in the cup making ping sounds until she adds the water and sits at the table.
“I take it he’s not a fan of mine.” My shoulders deflate, and I’m waiting for the kick to the gut similar to the blow Miranda dealt. I’m not the ideal guy to date, and not good enough.
“No, it’s not that,” she sighs. “Well, not entirely he’s just worried about me getting my heart broken again. I haven’t had the best of luck when it comes to guys.”
“Is there anything I can do to ease his fears?” I genuinely want to know. Especially if it will help take away any trepidation she has as well.
"Probably not," she rolls her cup between her hands, nerves obviously taking over. "It doesn't matter anyways. I'm going to do what's best for me regardless of what he thinks. Besides, he's a lot younger than me and has no room to tell me what I should and shouldn't be doing."