Bittersweet

Chapter Eight

September 16th, Late 5:00 a.m

Stretching her arms and legs out as Pluto lay next to her, Deene groaned.

Today was the day of the free art class, and she dreaded every thought of it. Marlon had been adamant about promoting months in advance, so she knew they would be packed.

She was nervous about showing people her work and having to demonstrate her pieces, but knowing Lessy planned on going eased her mind in the slightest.

She grabbed her phone from its spot on the nightstand and saw missed messages from Freddy.

Wed, Sept 15th, at 10:32 p.m

I know I said I could watch Pluto for you tomorrow but I got called in

Im sorry

She wasn't worried, nor was it a setback. She and Lessy had discussed whether or not to bring Pluto and they figured it would be nice for her, but she normally got overstimulated and fussy around lots of people.

Don't worry, It's okay I can bring her

Thank you

Exiting the chatbox, she saw that there were more missed messages from her co-worker as well.

Iris was closer to Marlon's age than Deene was, and she'd started there in January. Based on how she handled photographs and photo shoots done in one of the rooms upstairs, Deene figured she started as an intern.

She and Deene weren't close, but they had a nice enough relationship.

Thurs, Sept 16th, at 2:55 a.m

I know it's late, but can you resend me the approximate headcount for catering ASAP?

Thurs, Sept 16th, at 3:12 a.m

Marlon also needs a list of reservations for next month because of the vacation he's taking.

Why was she worried about this in the middle of the night?

Rubbing the sleepiness out of her eyes, Deene typed out a response.

Okay, I'll email you everything before 9

Hours later, Deene sat in the empty study hall typing out brochures and itineraries to be given out at the event, when she realized she had forgotten to mention to Caleb that it was four hours long.

Leaning back in her seat, she held back a smile. She had been tempted to tell Lessy about seeing him after what happened at Bolden's, but she stopped herself multiple times already for the week. 

Deene knew what would happen if she started talking about him. She would think of him twenty-four-seven, daydream about him, and even maybe start drinking coffee to see what he liked about it.

Whenever she remembered the dreaded day they met, she could smell that comfortable scent of juniper. His warm hands. His compelling yet gentle green eyes.

Adjusting the sleeves at her wrists, she shook him out of her head and refocused on her laptop.

She needed to regulate herself no matter what. He was cute, yes. He was gentle, yes. But he was a stranger to her and she was a stranger to him. 

The shrill scrape of a chair against the floor brought her attention to someone sitting across from her at the table.

"Oh, hey, Fen." she greeted, as two cups of bubble tea and a brown paper bag were placed next to her laptop.