The Pickup Line

Chapter Eleven

It started on a weekend in May, I was looking for attention, needed intervention.  Felt somebody lookin' at me, with a powder white complexion, feeling the connection

Five Seconds of Summer - English Love Affair

- Sawyer -

I woke up alone early the next morning.  My blackout curtains had been pulled back and sunlight was streaming into the room.  The smell of bacon and coffee lingered in the whole apartment.  I looked over at my phone to respond to all my moms texts before jumping out of bed.  I made my bed up quickly and quietly walked to the kitchen, bumping into Gracie on the way there. 

"God, you could at least brush your hair," she whispered to me. I glanced down at her outfit and realized that Gracie must of had the early shift at Starbucks today.  Her make up was applied lightly and her hair in a high pony.  After knowing her for as long as I had, I knew that was her way of saying she over slept.

"Who cares?" I said.  I didn't have to be at work until twelve.  Usually I would be busting my ass to get ready in time but I had told my boss that our flight would land early in the morning.  I don't think anybody knew it would land as early as it had.

"Brayden is still here," she gritted out.  Grace was never one to dress up for Dave, so I didn't see what all the fuss was about for me.

"I know that," I said.  After last night, I figured he wouldn't leave until he found out everything and I wasn't letting him leave without giving me an explanation either.  

"Oh my gosh, I have to go.  I'll see you later," she said in a normal voice.  She grabbed her purse and was out the door just as I turned the corner to the kitchen.  I peaked around the corner and saw Brayden in a clean, blue  polo shirt and khaki shorts standing at the stove.  He must of woken up extra early to go get ready for work and come back.  I stood there for a few seconds admiring before I got the nerve to go up to him.  I stood right behind him and he either just didn't notice, or he didn't want to acknowledge me yet.  

Wrapping my arms around his waist from behind, I hugged him carefully.  My head rested against his back as his hands covered my own.  A sigh of relief came from his mouth before he turned around in my arms to face me.  

"Good morning," he murmured. He brought his head down to press a light kiss on my nose.  Adorable.

"Morning," I said.  I smiled at him.  I thought of how stupid I've been with this, and right then and there I knew I wouldn't run again. 

"I made breakfast," he said.  He slowly moved to where I could see the eggs and bacon on the counter behind him.

"Oh, you're hot and you can cook," I teased. "I've hit the jackpot," I finished as he grinned and picked me up off my feet. 

"You're funny," he said.  He set me back down gently and started fixing us a plate.  He turned me down when I offered to help, so I settled on making my coffee.  I grabbed a seat at the bar and watched him.  He moved around my kitchen as if he had been doing it all his life. He was careful not to drop anything on his clothes  and every few seconds he'd glance at me to see if I was still there.  After he caught me staring the first two times, he'd continue to flash me a dimple when he looked back at me afterwards.

"Thank you," I smiled as he set my plate down in front of me and waited for him to sit beside me before I started eating.  

"So, I'm listening," he said after sitting in silence for more than ten minutes.  I finished chewing before I answered him.