One Cup of You

Part 5

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This is a raw, unedited version of this book. You may see some grammar, spelling and continuity mistakes. One day, I might turn this into a paperback, but for now I just need to share my story !

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It had been so long since I received a text message from an unknown number that the notification made me jump off of my bed when I saw it. Normally, I tried to avoid looking at my phone first thing in the morning unless it was an emergency. I felt any text messages could wait until I was really awake. Most of the time, it was Piper telling me about her new boyfriend or someone looking for me to cover their shift.

(Jamie) Hey, it's Jamie.

(Jamie) Just wondering if you have the schedule ready for the rest of my training?

My heart leaped around in my chest, and I breathed and stretched before answering. He could have gotten the rest of the schedule at work. He'd had a few shifts already, and I was sure someone showed him where the schedule was posted by now. The tingling sensation crippled my hands as I tried to respond. He was texting me to text me. This was not just about the schedule.

But I shook it off. This is strictly business, I thought. He just got out of a very long, serious relationship, and even if he was emotionally available, his boss, eight years his junior, was probably not at the top of his list for people to rebound with. Regardless, the level of magnetism I felt for him was severe, and I was willing to act outside of my comfort zone just to have the chance to spend time with him again. All morning we texted back and forth, first about planning for the New Year's Eve Party and fleshing out his training schedule, and then slowly segued into sending each other jokes and memes. I knew I was treading shark infested water. I'd made promises to myself to keep things professional, but I would take whatever attention I could get.

Once I got over the excitement, my instinct was to call Piper and ask for her advice on how to navigate this. He really said nothing substantial in his text messages, but I knew Piper would want to read between the lines and only someone who spoke the language of sex like she did could interpret if there was something there or not. I called her to divulge.

"Hellooooo?" she sang

"Hey Pipes," I replied. "I need boy advice."

"YES, finally!" she exclaimed. "I'm on the couch with hot tea and my slippers. Your timing could not have been more perfect. Who is it?"

"Uh. Jamie Collins..." I said sheepishly.

"Excuse me, WHAT?" she blurted. I could hear a teacup slamming on her table through the receiver.

I told her everything. I told her I had been crushing on Jamie as long as I've known him, how he rescued me from a scary old dude, and that now that he was single I wanted to pounce, but zero idea how to approach it.

"Yeah, uh, this is not a lot to work with," she laughed. "You've interacted with him once and it was sweet, but it honestly just sounds like he was being nice. I mean, I definitely think you could hit that, but you have some work to do".

I sank. She was right. I felt small and hopeless, like an idiot little kid who had no prowess or sex appeal. This man had given me the slightest bit of attention and it put me deep under a spell of infatuation, but I had blown this way up in my head for no good reason.

"Just keep texting him back when he texts you, but never twice in a row, and not too quickly. And just like, definitely make sure you accidentally on purpose schedule yourselves together," she suggested.

"Well yeah, I'm his boss, Piper. We're going to have to work together."

"Oh, that's hot. I like that. Make him your little work bitch."

"Jesus Christ!" I shrieked. "Who the hell do you think you're talking to?"

"Grow a pair, Stevie. And enjoy this. You have some eye candy at work now. You don't have to get married. Just take a sip."

"Really? We're going to make coffee jokes now?"

"Hell yes. Your love is brewing."

"I regret calling you." I grumbled.

"Good. Hey what are you doing tonight?" she said

The rapid change in subject did not surprise me. My love life was boring. My current crush and lack of action in the area was also boring. Piper gave me what she had, and it was time to move on. And of course, I had no plans for the evening. I had Sunday morning off and I would finish working by dinner time tonight. I could sense the impending invitation.

"Come out with me tonight?" she pleaded. "We haven't gone out, just us girls in forever! Come on, it'll be good for you. You can hit on boys and practice your charm."

What charm? I chuffed, internally. Not to mention that we went out "just us girls" at least once a week. However, going out drinking and dancing felt like the right idea. The Christmas season and planning for the party left me feeling overworked, and I needed some time to play.

I agreed to meet Piper downtown by 10pm, and spent the night drunk and dancing with strange, handsome men who paid for our drinks and told us we were pretty. By the time I came home and crashed into my bed, Jamie Collins was the last thing on my mind.