Summer with Seb

Chapter 4

I instantly regret my words. We're standing too close for comfort since we're still positioned to take a photo together, and he probably thinks I'm some creep. I feel my face flame up with shame and I wish the building behind us would burst into an inferno, for real this time. I take a step away from him.

"I'm so sorry," I scramble. "I shouldn't have-"

"I'd love to," Sebastian interrupts my flustered words with a soft smile, tilting his head to look me in the eye.

I involuntarily gape. "Um, okay!" I squeak, shaking my head to try and clear my own confusion. "I know a great place down the street, Jack's. It's quiet." I say. He seemed so keen to avoid everyone waiting out the false fire alarm, and, selfishly, I also don't want anyone else to recognize him.

"Sounds great," he says. "I can meet you there at 7?"

"Perfect!" I say breathlessly. "Um, so, so I'll, I'll see you then?" I don't know what to do. Should I hug him? That seems too friendly seeing as how 10 minutes ago I asked for a photo. I stick out my hand to shake his.

Sebastian laughs a little and shakes my hand. "See you then."

I back away with a wave, "Nice to meet you!"

I turn and try to walk as calmly as I can. I want to run and scream, but I can feel him watch me walking away. I finally turn the corner of the building and whip out my phone. It's 10:15am. We've already lost over an hour to this fire alarm, and all my new coworkers probably made it back up to the ninth floor over ten minutes ago. But I have to tell someone what just happened. I start speed walking as I dial my best friend. Please pick up, please pick up, I pray.

"Hey! How's your first day going?" Cai answers the phone.

"Cai, guess what just happened to me," I whisper. I'm almost back inside the building, and Sebastian definitely walked the other direction when we parted ways, but I can't be too careful.

"Oh my god, what? Are you okay?"

"I just met Sebastian Stan." I have to pull back the phone from my ear as Cai screams, and I laugh with excitement myself. "That's not all," I tease.

"Did you get a picture??" Cai asks. I tell her about the conversation we had while waiting for the go ahead to re-enter the building, how easy it was to talk to him.

"Then we were getting ready to take a picture together, and I just- asked him out!"

Cai gasps, and I smile into the silence on the other end of the phone. "I know, I know, I can't believe it," I say as Cai tries to sputter a response. "But I'll tell you all about it later, I'm so late for work." I end the call and step onto the elevator. I have no idea how I'll be able to focus on my new job after this. My mind is racing.

"There you are!" Lily exclaims. She looks at me curiously. I still can't stop smiling, and I try to hide my cheeks with my hands. "Sorry!" I say. I walk quickly past her to Mr. Hirsch's office. I want to avoid having to explain why I'm late.

I'm barely present as Mr. Hirsch walks me around the office and introduces me to everyone in their offices. I smile politely and try to take notes furiously as he lists tasks and projects for me to work on during my summer here. After Mr. Hirsch points out every type of dairy free milk in the community fridge, we finally make it back to his office where he begins to give me a run down on the company's history and how everyone's titles work together in the larger structure. My phone buzzes incessantly; Cai must be blowing me up with questions. Mr. Hirsch eyes the phone, annoyed, and as I turn it off, I realize I have no way to contact Sebastian. There's no way he would have given his number to me after I asked for a photo, but what if he can't find Jack's? I should have said Jack's Pizza and Wings on Highland. What if he's running late or wants to cancel but can't reach me? I kick myself mentally. Of course he'll want to cancel on the random stalker fan. I'm definitely getting stood up tonight. I might as well focus on my work.

The day passes quickly shadowing Mr. Hirsch to some of his meetings and reading a few articles he assigned. There is another intern- Michah- from my alma mater assigned to Mr. Hirsch, and we share a table out in the common area, making small talk here and there throughout the day. I'm bursting to tell him all about Sebastian, but it's still my first day here, and I don't want to give the impression that I"m a celeb-obsessed airhead.

It's nearing 5 o'clock. Mr. Hirsch had been clear that interns could leave right at 5pm, even when staff had to stay late. The easy hours was another one of the reasons I had tried for this marketing internship, and today, I was especially grateful that I'd have time to go home and get ready for my date with Sebastian. Even just thinking that- a date with Sebastian Stan- made me giddy. Just get me out of this office already!

I was smiling contentedly to myself when Erin stomped her way over to way our table in the common area. She slammed an old shoebox down on the table.

"I need you to digitize these business cards and add them to our database," she said.

I groan internally, and I'm sure my face says the same, but before I can refuse, Micah says cheerfully, "Sure! We'll get that done for you," with a smile.

As Erin marches away, I gape at Michah "It's almost five!" I exclaim. "Why would you do that?"

Micah gives me a look. "Some of us actually want to make a good impression here," he says and opens the shoe box to reveal hundreds of beat up business cards all jumbled together. Micah is a junior, and actually an econ major, so I understand what he's saying. But I'm still riding the senioritis wave that carried me through my last semester, not to mention I have a date with the most beautiful man on Earth tonight.

"Let me give you some advice, kid," I say, trying to knock some of the seriousness off Micah's face. "You're an intern. You can stretch this," I gesture to the mess of cards, "a full week." Micah looks doubtful. "C'mon," I whine. "Mr. Hirsch already likes you more than me because you actually have experience so he'll give you a great recommendation no matter what, and look, Erin won't notice."

Micah eyes Erin as she draws the shades on her office, deep in a passionate phone call and gesturing her arms forcefully. "Fine," he admits.

"Yes! Let's get out of here." I cheer mentally while we pack up our things.

As I'm walking out, I stop by Lily's desk. "Let's grab lunch tomorrow?" I ask.

"Yay!" She exclaims. "I know the greatest place. Have a great night!" Her phone rings and I wave goodbye. I smile to myself as I speed walk over to where I locked up my bike this morning. Her enthusiasm is really heartwarming.

I glance down at my watch as I hop on my bike. 5:15pm. Just under 2 hours to get ready for the greatest night of my life. No pressure.