I Don't Mix Business with Pleasure

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓼𝓲𝔁

𝓕𝓵𝓸𝓻𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓮

Today after work, Landon decided to text me back and ask what my favorite food is. I told him Mexican was my favorite food as well. At Least we relate to one thing. During the last four days at work, the eye-rolling has subsided a bit, but not fully gone away. I can't expect to get through to him that quickly. Honestly, if it stopped, I think I'd miss it a little bit. It's what makes him.. him.

I have this weird urge to want to help him but continue hating him at the same time. We still clearly show hatred towards each other. He annoys me just as much as he did on day one. And all I have to do for him to be annoyed by me is to simply exist. At Least I know his favorite color and food though, right?

Hudson has invited me to the club again. I don't know what's gotten into him, but he insists he's been stressed and wants to take me specifically. He seems to get along well with everyone, so why me? We've become quite close just over the last week. He texts me to check in on me. It's refreshing to feel like I have a friend here in New York.

Up until I learned that they wanted to keep me with their company, I'd planned on closing myself off a bit in fear of getting too close to anyone. Now I'm going to allow myself to let people in.

••••••••••••

I don't feel as nervous walking into the club this time. Actually, I feel quite confident and happy. I have a new job ready for me immediately, I've made friends. It's starting to feel a little like home now.

"So you just had to bring me here tonight. What's the occasion?" I laugh, following him to the bar.

"Well, this week has been stressful for me. Also, we need to celebrate you, of course," he smirks.

He asks the bartender for six shots of Patron this time, instead of four.

"Hudson, we're going to be blacked out tonight."

"This is a celebration," he says, sitting down at the bar.

"If you insist. This is one pricey celebration."

We quickly down all three shots and talked about how stressful work was for Hudson. I check my phone and we've already been here for a half hour. When I stand, I suddenly feel the alcohol set in.

"So, you think you'll be confident enough to talk to me tonight about what you promised?" I ask.

"Uh- maybe. If I get drunk enough, yeah."

"I must be a lightweight." I grab the bar counter for balance.

"Well yeah, you're a tiny thing. I'd imagine you would be."

"I'm not that small. Take it back."

"Really? Your head stops at my chest. I'm like three of you." He laughs, rolling his eyes.

"Don't roll your eyes at me. I don't need both of you doing it. Speaking of both of you, where's Landon?"

"I'm starting to think you two have something going on that I don't know about." Hudson laughs, ordering us more drinks.

"We do not!" I scoff, crossing my arms over my chest.

"How do you explain him following you upstairs and you guys staying up there for an entire twenty minutes? Then you both walk down together? What were you guys doing?" He smirks, lightly tapping my arm. He doesn't seem upset, if anything, he seems entertained by the idea.

"I got a few words out of him. I'm not even sure why he came up. I saw him looking at pictures in the hallway when I came out. Nothing happened."

"Sure." He laughs, taking a drink.