for, liar

Chapter 30

Halfway into the Jungle Book, I'm starting to fall asleep. The remake is not nearly as good as the original, as with just about anything but I still wanted to give it a try.

I rest my head on Miles' shoulder and relax, sinking into his soft shirt. His arm was already around me but this new found comfort is something else. I'm curious what brand of shirts he buys because I literally don't think I've felt softer material. Why am I thinking about shirts when I'm alone with the most attractive man I've ever been with? I've hit a new definition of pathetic.

I fight the urge to drift off and push myself up away from his chest. He looks at me and smiles, a sight I could never get tired of.

"Were you about to fall asleep?" He asks and pauses the movie.

"Yeah, sorry. I'm just not really digging this movie right now." I answer and laugh nervously.

I hope this isn't a movie that he adores so he'll get offended if I tell him it's not great. He shocks me by stating otherwise.

"I actually hate the Jungle Book."

"Then why are we watching it!"

He shrugs and laughs, sending us both in a giggle fit. We both calm down when we meet each other's eyes and time freezes. His hazel eyes are piercing. They have so much life as they move back and forth between mine and down to my lips. I take the initiative once again to kiss him, hoping I didn't read the mood wrong like last time.

He calms my nerves by not pulling back this time. I can taste the faint hint of mango seltzer on his tongue. He brings both hands from his lap and places them on my cheeks, pulling me even closer to him.

I run my hands through his thick, dark brown hair and take in every feeling present. I don't want any of this to stop. Not anytime soon.

He gives no indication of wanting to stop either. Maybe I do want something more. This could go further and I think I'd be just fine with it.

A couple of minutes passed and our breathing has only intensified, along with everything I felt before. I break away for a split second and without looking at him, I reach behind me to unzip my dress.

Wrong move.

"Whoa, what are you doing?" He asks frantically and throws his hands up.

"What? What's wrong?" I whisper.

Why am I whispering? No one is here.

"Nothing, I-...you should keep that on."

"Well if that's what you're into, okay." I say, a little shocked and disappointed.

"No, I mean you should keep everything on."

Fuck. I totally read the room wrong again. I'm an idiot.

"Oh...oh God. I'm so sorry. I'm stupid."

I can feel my face turn red as I quickly rise from the couch. What was I thinking? We haven't even talked about sex and I was just going to strip without any warning?

I shakily grab my purse from the coffee table and look around for my shoes. Miles stands and grabs my wrist.

"Hey, Bree. Stop." He says sternly.

I look up at him and my heart starts to settle.

"I don't want you to go, I just don't think all of that is a good idea right now. I didn't mean to freak you out."

He talks to me so softly.

"I didn't mean to assume or anything...uh, we can talk about this later but I really need to get home. I have to work tomorrow and I'm super tired."

We just got here an hour ago and I'm already trying to ditch. Could I be any more of a loser?

"If that's what you want, then yes but I really don't want you to go."

He grabs both of my hands and pulls at them to get me closer. I let the purse drop down onto the couch and stare up at him.

"I think...I should. It's an early shift." I say hesitantly, knowing damn well I really didn't want to go.

He doesn't try to question me or force me to stay. He takes me back to the apartment around nine and I see Damian's car is still there. I kiss Miles goodnight and go straight to my room when I get there, thankfully avoiding Maddy at all costs.

I flop down onto my bed and stare up at the ceiling. This is my least favorite part of the day because it's when I'm forced to dwell on every stupid thing in the past twenty-four hours I've done until I'm finally able to fall asleep and start all over.

Miles sends me a goodnight text assuring me that he's definitely still interested in me in his own words. Just not in that way, I guess.

I probably sleep for about five hours before my alarm goes off in the morning. Our new manager scheduled me for a bunch of opening shifts so I have to drag my ass to work at four in the morning to make coffee.

Maddy is sound asleep when I leave and Damian's car is gone by then. I don't even want to know what time he went home. I'm actually surprised he didn't just stay the night.

When I get to work, Lana's car is parked in front of the door. I haven't been scheduled to work with her in forever because the big head didn't want two assistant managers working together all of the time. He had hired another manager recently, whom I still haven't met because she works primarily at night.

Lana is setting up the espresso machines when I walk in a minute after I was supposed to clock on. Our other opener is stocking the condiment bar with sugars and napkins.

"You're late." Lana gripes, sending me a glare from across the store as I'm finally clocking in.

"By two minutes. I'm so sorry. Should I apologize to the long line?"

I look out into the empty lobby and dramatically yell, "Sorry for the wait guys!"

Our barista, Tiffany, starts laughing her ass off until she notices Lana watching her so she has to shut that off real quick.

I tie my apron behind my back and walk down to the espresso bar.

"Anyone want a shot?" I ask, already knowing that Lana is going to say no because she probably already drank her large cold brew on the way in.

She shakes her head and walks to the back with the tills, leaving just me and Tiffany by ourselves.

"I'll take one!" Tiffany exclaims and runs behind the counter.

I pull us both two shots of espresso with our signature vanilla syrup and cream. This is usually my go to when I work mornings because it's fast to drink and hits your bloodstream right away.

I give Tiffany an energetic high five and toss my cup in the trash. Finally caffeinated and ready to get this day over with. 

Revised;