𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐊𝐄 𝐌𝐄 || 21+

☆ | 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐂𝐇

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✽

Trying to focus with all the commotion going on around you was easy, you liked working like this. The people, the clattering, the chatter, it was like white noise as you prepared the financials for the end of the quarter. You didn't have to be in the office to do your work, so you rarely went in unless there was a meeting.

You leaned back, stretching, and glanced around the cafe. Checking your coffee, you needed to get some more. You closed your laptop and grabbed the mug and went to stand in line. Smiling at the barista, he was new, you ordered and waited by the counter. Normally you didn't notice stuff like that, but you liked working at this cafe, and a new face behind the counter stood out.

"Writing a novel?" he asked as he handed you the mug.

Shaking your head, you said, "Nothing that exciting, thanks."

For a few more hours you worked, and finally finished. The last email was sent, the database updated, you started packing up. The knocking behind you startled you, you looked and the barista was on the other side of the glass.

When his eyes met yours, you felt your cheeks burn. That was not the way you looked at a stranger. You smiled and went back to packing, but your mind was wandering. You glanced behind you, and he was still behind you.

You furrowed your brows as if you were asking 'what?', and he jerked his head. Putting his hands in his pockets, he took a step backward and smiled at you. Quickly weighing the pros and cons, you shouldered your bag, grabbed the twenty-dollar bill from your pocket. Slapping the money on your table for the staff, you left the shop to see what he wanted.

It had been a while, but you knew that look, or you thought you did. It was a specific type of mischievous, and you couldn't resist. Even if this was a mistake, you were too curious.

When you got outside, he was gone. Immediately your stomach dropped, assuming that he had just been messing with you when you felt a tap on your shoulder. Turning a bit quicker than you should have, your bag hitting him.

"Jesus, careful with that thing," he said with a chuckle.

You were in a panic, "Oh my, God, I'm so sorry!"

"I'm fine," he said and you noticed how deep his voice was. He looked at you, and that same darkness was in his eyes as he said, "I hope I didn't bother you."

You bit your bottom lip, and shook your head, "Nope, I had just finished."

"Good," he looked around before taking a step toward you. His hand brushed yours, sending a jolt of electricity through you, as he asked, "Can we skip the boring stuff?"

You didn't need to think, grinning as you said, "My apartment is two blocks away."

The boxy smile he gave you before you started walking home somehow made this seem less crazy. You didn't know him, you hadn't done this in longer than you cared to think of, but you felt alive. Every day had become the same thing, and it was killing you inside. Deciding that you could fret over bad decisions later, you led him up to your apartment.

Taking off your coat and putting your bag down, you locked the door and weren't sure what to say. You turned around, expecting him to be just as awkward as you felt, but he wasn't.