romance at the bookstore

Chapter 11

Leila's POV

The light shines in my eyes from my window and I groan in annoyance. I start to roll over, going to get up to close the blinds, when I feel someone move beside me. I stop suddenly, a little confused and disoriented.

Who is in my bed?

Oh my god, Alex is still here!!! How could I forget about last night! Alex was so cute with his dinner and trying to impress me. We have a lot more in common than I thought we did and I'm starting to really like him.

I roll over to face him. His eyes are closed and his eyelashes look extremely long. His arm is under his head and his mouth is slightly open in the cutest way. I put my hand on his other arm and feel his muscles. I hate to wake him up but if I don't be both going to be late for work.

"Alex... Alex, we have to get up for work," I shake him slightly.

"Just five more minutes," he groans. His voice is rough and low and I find it so attractive.

"No come on Alex we're going to be late if we don't get up," I feel bad for making him leave but I still need to shower and get ready.

He eventually opens his eyes. His face is so close to mine and his eyes are the brightest colour of green I have ever seen. I want to lean in and kiss him but I don't know if he wants me to. Before I realize what's going to happen Alex quickly leans in to kiss me but with the angle, we're laying at instead of his lips on mine, our heads hit together and pain shoots through my skull.

"Ow," I say, kind of annoyed.

"Fuck. I'm sorry Leila." Alex apologizes. The way he said fuck was so hot that I automatically forgive him.

"It's fine, we have to get up anyway"

Alex stands up and grabs his shirt off the floor. I sit up in bed with the covers over my body waiting for him to leave before I get up. He grabs his stuff and then starts to walk toward the door.

"So I'll see you later at work okay," Alex says before he opens the door

"Ya sure," Alex leaves and gently closes the door behind him.

I lay back down in bed and pull the covers over my head. That was the most awkward moment ever. Alex is always so cute with me but holy fuck the way he does everything so awkwardly.

I get up and start the shower. I only have an hour before work so I have to go fast. I would have expected Alex to be in the shower at the same time as me but I guess he's doing something else. I was my hair and everything then get out and get dressed. I decide to dress cute but casual because I'm just going to work but I also want to look good for Alex.

I decide on black high waisted jeans and a tight white and red tube top. I also decide to wear a gold necklace that makes my collar bone stand out. Also, my hair is down and it looks kind of wavy. I think I look pretty cute.

Eventually, I leave the apartment and head off to work. It's pretty warm for a fall day that I don't even need a jacket.

I get to the bookstore and I'm surprised that Alex is already there. I'm confused why he isn't inside instead of just waiting outside for someone.

" what are you doing out here?"

"Well I don't have a key so I guess I'm waiting for you."

I didn't realize that Louis only gave me a key. I thought he gave them to everyone that works here.

I open the door and go inside. I do my usual routine of putting my stuff down in the back and then going back to the front and putting the open sign up. Alex goes and puts his stuff in the back and then comes back with two coffees in his hand.

"Here this one's for you," he says and hands me a coffee.

"Alex you know you don't have to do this anymore right?" I say after I take the coffee

"Ya I know but I want to"

I take a step towards him and kiss him on the cheek as a thank you.

During the day Alex keeps doing cute things like, whenever I pass him he just lightly touches my hand or I pass him a book and he kisses me on the cheek. During our breaks, we sit together and read or we lunch.

I think that our relationship is confusing Louis because he keeps looking over at us with his eyebrows raised. I can understand why he might be confused because honestly, I'm also a bit confused. Are we officially dating, or just wheeling? I honestly have no idea. Eventually, Louis decides to ask.

"Soo, are you guys dating, or just getting closer as friends or what?" Louis asks us.

Alex and I look at each other. What are we?

"Well I mean, we've gone on a few dates, but I don't really know what we are" Alex answers looking at me.

Louis looks back and forth between us.

"Okay then, as long as you're getting your work done then whatever." He says and walks to the back of his store.

Alex and I stand awkwardly looking at each other. I don't really want to have this conversation now, I just want to have a nice, fun, flirty day at work.

"So we have a test tomorrow, have you started studying?" I ask, breaking the awkward silence.

Alex answers that he hasn't started and tells me that he doesn't really understand the material. We decided to study together after our shifts are over.

I like this relationship we have. There's not really any pressure to be someone we're not and everything is pretty chill. We manage to be cute, flirty, and friendly all at the same time and I love it. I really, really hope this works out for us both.