The story I want

Beer? (Scarlet)

I feel his eyes on me while Ms. Lane and I chatter over our first days as teachers. It was really strange. Its not like I wasn't used to being looked at, but being looked at by an attractive man was different. Especially since it felt like he wanted to swallow me whole. I crossed my legs and put my hands in my lap. "Oh I know what would make these conversations easier. Why don't I add you to the admin group chat? That way Mr. Killian won't have to tell you every little thing. This way should be easier on you both ya'know?" I glance over at Asher and his eyes were lit. Excited? Over a group chat. Whatever thought is going through his head can't be good. I laugh nervously to myself, "That sounds like a lovely idea ma'am." She stands and clasps her hands together. "I'm so glad you think so hun. It's settled then. I'll add you to the group chat in my office. I should be off, I'm so glad yalls first day is going rather smoothly. Have fun and be safe y'all!" She grabs her lunch box and waves as she walks away. I return to eating my sandwich while Asher looks at his phone. I hadn't noticed it before but he doesn't look like a teacher. He looks like a bartender who rode in a gang on the weekends. Asher was tall but not too tall 6'3. He had curly blonde hair that was clearly straightened and slicked back. A small curl, however, fell out of place and across is forehead. His visible body was littered with all kinds of tattoos, and he dressed like a mafia leader, Like a character from my books. He has broad shoulders and you could tell he was hiding a small waist, at least in contrast to his shoulders. I chuckle to myself at the last thought. Just when I had finally relaxed, Asher speaks to me. "I didn't know I was paired with a steamy romance author." He chuckles deeply, "Had I known that, I would've dressed up like a character from your book." He looks at me his hand dropped to a place on his thigh, still holding his phone, and he was slightly man spreading but somehow in an acceptable way. Leaning back, he raises an eyebrow. I look over at him slightly before scrunching my face and standing up. "Don't bother, you couldn't fill their roles." I say calmly. He makes a hurt face and places a hand over his heart. I laugh slightly, toss my trash away, and walk off. He soon catches up with me and walks down the corridor to our classroom. The rest of the day went pretty much the same as my first class. The only difference was Asher talked to me a bit more, or rather we talked together. It was just after our last class and I was packing up when Asher walked up and asked me something. "Would you like to grab a beer with me to celebrate our lovely first day?" He spoke in a silly tone and annunciated the word lovely. "As fantastic as that sounds, I'm gonna pass. I don't drink, at least not on weekdays." I said trying not to sound bitchy. His smile dropped slightly. Only slightly, barely enough to notice. He did so in a way that seemed like it was a habit. "Alrighty, I'll see you tomorrow then Ms. James." He says my last name in. Mocking way. "See you tomorrow, Mr. Killian." I returned the jest. I was getting situated in my car when I got a message from am unknown sender that read, " In case you change your mind, this is the bar I'll be at from eight until eleven." It had an address linked to it. I knew it was Asher and I sighed. I got home and immediately took a shower. I ordered McDonald's for dinner. I was eating in the living room watching TV when a thought crossed my mind. I came to New Orleans to start over on everything, to start new. Maybe the new me liked hanging out with coworkers and going to bars. I mean it is New Orleans, everyone drinks right? I looked at the clock, 9:32. I decided to go through on a dark blue tank top dress with a low cut front and low cut back. It was pretty flowy and was mid thigh length. I tossed on some chunky black heels and my signature gold jewelry with the edition of a gold watch. I decided to wear my hair straight which was my natural hair. I did a black smokey eye with some gold shimmer, nude lip, dabbed on some vanilla perfume, grabbed a basic black purse and tossed in my essentials. This is what people wear right? I look over myself in the mirror and run my hands along my shoulders, down my chest and sides, them settle on my stomach. I chill goes up my spine as I continue to ridicule my body. I grab a white flowy cover and toss it on them head put the door. By the time I got to the bar it was ten thirty eight pm. I walk in and look around for Asher. I see his slicked back hair at the counter at the very edge of the bar. I walk up and call his name, he turns around and smiles at me. I can feel my cheeks flush slightly and pull my purse in front of me. I glances down quickly, them just as quickly looks back up. "Sorry I'm late" I quickly and nervously say. " Don't worry about it love. You're right on time to me." He looks me up and down but I'm a polite way. "You look gorgeous" he motions to a seat beside him. " Can I get you a drink?" He speaks rather loud so I can hear him. I guess it's because of the band, but it was pretty hectic. "Yeah sure, just whatever your having. Thank you?" He asks the bartender for a round for us both. " So how long have you lived in New Orleans?" He asks. "Oh I just moved here about a week ago from Tennessee." "Damn, the city or country?" I laugh, "from the city, I lived in Nashville. Though I suppose almost all of Tennessee seems country." He chuckles, "I suppose so love. I've never been." There it is again, that deep chuckle. It's deeper and more pleasant then his full laugh. Makes me feel butterflies. I imagine his laugh to be what the character in my newest book sounds like. The bartender puts our drinks down "What about you? You been here long?" "Yep, I've lived here my whole life." "Wow, that's a long time. Must have been fun growing up here." I sip my drink. My eyes widen. Fruity. I sip some more while I listen. "Sometimes, it's definitely a unique experience. Also what do you mean a long time, I'm only thirty four." I paused at his statement and glance up at him. "What?" He said confused " I'm twenty two." Now it's his turn to pause. "You don't look twenty twp." He says and them laughs. I laugh too and start again, "Hey, are you saying I look old?" He laughs harder, " I'm not calling you old I swear, you just carry yourself differently then a younger lady would." I smile at him "you don't carry yourself like your age either" I said teasingly. he laughs louder this time and places his hand on my back. "So why'd ya'move here love?" He asks while his hand is still on my back. Maybe it was the drink but it felt like his hand was subtly moving down. "Well it was all part of a dream I guess you could say. My dream job in my dream city." His hand had gone too far. I panicked and stood up. " I think I've drank too much. I'm feeling a little too tipsy. Plus we have work tomorrow and it's late." I say slightly frantically. I moves his hand to his lap, " okay but at least call me an Uber." I grab my purse to pull money at me and he makes firm eye contact and shakes his head before easing up and continuing, "okay I get it. But I'm paying for drinks, I'm sorry for keeping you up late Ms. James. Have a goodnight." I put my purse over my shoulder, "thank you for inviting me out, have a good night." I weave my way through the people and hurry out. I called an Uber and headed home. The whole way home and even while I was getting ready for bed I replayed the scene in my head. Did I give him a reason to flirt? He can't flirt with me. We're coworkers. I kept telling myself and for the most part I believed it. But my mind kept wondering to his deep voice and his dark harsh gaze. That gaze is what got me. I don't know why and I don't know how, but it did and he flirted. With me. Me with my awkward looks and awkward personality, a double whamee really. Plus I'm so much younger, is that okay? It feels okay, only because I'm twenty two. I decide to get just one more glass of wine. One more, more like three more. Maybe I'm a light weight, or maybe that drink he got me was stronger than usual. Maybe I really was tipsy. I decide bedtime is best only after eating an entire block of cheese and sandwich meat. I finally calmed down and went to sleep on the couch. I hoped that was the end. Unfortunately I'm not that lucky.