Chapter 3 #2
Somewhere in the background, I hear a whistle and a loud, “Get it, bro!” I should care, but I don’t. Not when his lips feel this good on mine. Let them look. Let them comment. I’m not stopping.
I barely notice the rest of the crowd, the bustling walkway and the people passing by. I’ve never been one for making out in public, but right now? It’s the last thing I care about. This feeling of newness, of connection, of something just clicking… it’s intoxicating.
It’s also terrifying, because when it feels this good, this fast—all you can do is hope. Hope that it’s real. Hope that he feels the same. Hope he’s not secretly collecting toenail clippings or hiding a weird fetish.
Please be normal, Jensen.
And please, please don’t break my heart.
I pull out my phone to text my brother and sister-in-law.
Happy freaking birthday, bro! Hope you have the best day ever. Wishing you lots of birthday sex… and Stella, I hope you deliver a top-tier birthday beej.
The door to the break room swings open, making me jump.
“Hey, how’s my favorite boo?”
I turn, grinning. “Hey, stranger!” I rise from my chair and pull Zach into a hug. “How was Maui? You guys have fun?”
Zach squeezes me back before heading to the fridge. “Yeah, it was incredible. Joey’s sister drove me fucking crazy, but other than that, it was great.”
“Oh, no. I thought she wasn’t going. What did she do? Or do I even need to ask?” I scrunch my nose, already bracing for the answer. Joey is Zach’s boyfriend, and Zach can’t stand Joey’s high-maintenance little sister.
He lets out an exasperated sigh. “She bought a plane ticket last minute. Can you believe that? Literally made me want to vomit when I found out she was coming. She’s such a selfish, whiny little you-know-what.
She complained about something everywhere we went.
I swear, I can’t ever go on a trip with her again. ”
Zach makes a dramatic face as he places his food in the microwave. He’s always been a little over the top, but that’s one of the things I love about him. He’s fun and never fails to make me laugh. Work is a hell of a lot more enjoyable when he’s here.
“God, I’m sorry. That’s so annoying.” I pause as the microwave beeps. “But I’m glad to have you back. It’s been dull here without you.”
He rolls his eyes, grabbing his food and sitting across from me.
“Yeah, right. Someone told me you went out with the blue-eyed hottie from a few weeks ago.” His lips curve into a mischievous grin.
“Doesn’t sound like it was that dull while I was gone.
Spill.” He drums his fingers on the table, milking the moment for all it’s worth.
“Who told you that?” I ask, laughing.
“Mm-mm. I never give up my sources.”
“It’s not that big of a deal,” I say, fighting to suppress a massive grin.
He leans back, smirking. “You’re such a bad liar.”
I let out another laugh. “Fine, fine. I’ve been dyyyying to tell you. We went out last weekend. I met him at a bar. We talked, laughed, had a couple of drinks. It was a lot of fun.”
“Which bar?”
I raise my brows. “Whiskey’s,” I say, knowing full well why he’s asking. He’s a total bar snob, and Whiskey’s is about as high-end as it gets.
His brows shoot up. “Okay, I approve already. Did you suck his dick to thank him?”
“Oh my God. You’re the worst!” I can’t help but laugh.
“What? Let me live, Al. You know I love Joey, but come on, I’ve been ordering the same entrée for two years now. Excuse me for wanting a taste of the dessert you’ve got on your plate.”
This is exactly why work is so much more fun with Zach. We’ve worked together for three years now, both RNs, and he’s easily one of my closest friends, my best friend at work.
“No, I didn’t suck his dick. I’m not as easy as you. I like to make them work for it.”
“Shame. I forget sometimes that you’re such a prude.”
“I am not!” I shove at his arm, laughing.
“Al-gal, you’ve been with, what, two people? You’re practically a virgin.”
“You’re such an ass. I’ve been with five people, thank you very much. One of whom I dated for three years. I am not a prude. I love a good dick as much as the next person.”
“Good girl. Me too.” He grins. “So, what’s he like? What does he do? And since blow jobs are off the table for you on a first date, did you at least kiss him?”
“He’s really cute, as you know. He has a great smile, and the sexiest dimples.
He’s funny—had me laughing all night. It was easy, you know?
Like we were old friends just chatting. Never a dull moment.
” My grin stretches wider as I talk. “He’s in sales, something with software.
I don’t really know the details, but it seems like he’s pretty successful.
Lives in the West Village, grew up in the Upper East Side, went to private schools. The whole fancy rich kid thing.”
Zach’s eyes light up. “Oh, he grew up wealthy? Tell me more. Does he have any brothers for me?”
I give him a pointed look. “You gonna leave Joey for a potential rich brother?”
He shrugs, smothering a grin. “What else? Get to the goods. How far did you go?”
I roll my eyes. “It’s always about sex with you. We had a really great connection.”
“And?”
“And… we kissed at the end of the night.”
He lets out a dramatic sigh. “That’s it? No rub-rub under the table, in the taxi, at the door?”
I laugh, shaking my head. “No! But we shared a very heated kiss at the park. It definitely left me wanting more.”
Zach laughs, folding his arms. “Ahh, how very PG-13 of you.”
I shove at his shoulder.
“I’m kidding,” he says, softer now. “I’m happy for you. Are you seeing him again?”
“Yes! He’s taking me to dinner on Friday. We’ve been texting all week.” I can’t help the smile spreading across my face. “I’m really excited about it.”
“That’s great. I’ll look forward to hearing all about it, and how you hopefully ran a few more bases.” Zach winks and gathers his things, then plants a quick kiss on my cheek on his way out. “I’ve got to get back out there, babe. Technically, I’m not even on lunch yet, I was just starving.”
I let out a breath, watching him go. I got here way too early. My shift doesn’t start for another ten minutes. I glance at my phone and notice new message notifications.
Michael
Jesus Christ. Did you really just text that?
Stella
Don’t worry, Al. I take my birthday duties very seriously.
I grin, texting back.
That’s the kind of support system every brother needs. You guys doing anything fun tonight?
Michael
Dinner with friends. Wish you were here.
Me too… New Year’s?
I try to go to Chicago every other year for Michael’s birthday, but this year, I just couldn’t swing it.
My bestie, Scarlett, and I went to Montenegro and Croatia two months ago, so my time off is tapped out.
It was totally worth it, though. I’ll see him at New Year’s.
His friends throw a great party. I’ve only been twice, but since I’m missing his birthday, I decided to make the trip for New Year’s instead.
Michael and I grew up in Barrington Hills, about a forty-minute drive from Chicago.
We lost our mom eight years ago, and my dad’s a drunk.
Hence why it’s not exactly first-date material.
I haven’t been home to see him since Mom died.
Michael’s always on my case about it, but I just can’t bring myself to do it.
It’s not that I’m heartless. I honestly can’t handle it.
Seeing him that way tears at my insides.
Dad’s always struggled with alcoholism. He went off the rails when I was young, but stayed clean through most of my teenage years.
Then Mom got cancer, and everything changed.
He relapsed when we needed him most. I think I hate him for that—for checking out when she was on her deathbed, for drowning at the bottom of a bottle while she was dying.
My stomach churns at the memories, a heaviness settling in my chest. Michael’s text pulls me from the spiral.
Michael
Can’t wait. Talk soon. Thanks for the birthday wishes. Love you, little sis.
Love you too, old man… You too, Stell! Give the kiddos a squeeze for me. Xoxo.