“The universe had your back today and you’re out here squandering opportunities,” she says, refusing to let the idea of me and Vaughn go.
“This is the opportunity,” I say, pointing at my spot in the back of the line before I notice Vaughn walking our way out of the corner of my eye and Sheena chuckles when she sees him too.
“You know what I think?” she asks and I glance back at her in confusion.
“What?”
“Universe three… Cori zero.”
Before I can ask what she means, she gives me a mischievous smile and a hard nudge right back into Vaughn’s path.
This time when I stumble, he catches me by the waist with a curious expression. Then he looks over at Sheena, confused.
“I had to do it,” Sheena says, raising her hands in surrender with a smirk, trying to explain her reason for pushing me right in front of his face while I try to separate myself from Vaughn and his musky scent that steals my focus.
“Excuse her,” I say, needlessly smoothing out his shirt again. Ever since the last time I had the pleasure of touching him, I’ve been subconsciously thinking about doing it again. I guess the universe does have my back today.
“Excuse you too,” he says with a cocky grin, letting his eyes roam down my body before nodding in Sheena’s direction. “This is my first time seeing her, but your second time running up on me like this. So it can’t all be on her. If you didn’t already shut me down, I’d think you were trying to push up.”
I hesitate to respond, looking toward Sheena, who’s backing away until she’s damn near at the door, throwing two fingers up in the air at me as she turns to leave. Vaughn laughs at the exchange before motioning over to Jaylen.
“In case you were wondering, the offer’s still on the table.”
“I think I’m good on the interview,” I say without hesitation and the cocky grin he’s wearing drops a little. Originally, I fully intended on standing in this line to interview Jaylen withoutagreeing to his dad’s proposition. Hell, I still can, but an alternate option comes to mind instead, and my plans shift.
I can write a bomb ass article forThe Dailyand go out with Vaughn Winston, all while keeping my journalistic integrity intact. I back out of the line and pack my camera up, confident I can create something that’ll set me apart from every other reporter here.
“You sure?” he asks skeptically.
“Yeah, I got what I need,” I say, patting my crossbody bag while I work out how to play this. “Besides, the six other reporters getting the same access makes the idea of an interview less appealing. Especially when I’m the only one being harassed to get access.”
I flash him a sweet smile, expecting him to ask me out without the caveat. But he frowns and tilts his head toward the side door exit instead, then walks away without a word. It takes a moment for me to decide, but I follow him without question, hanging back only long enough to not draw attention. When I make it to the dimly lit hallway, it takes a second to spot him in his dark clothing, leaning against the wall with his arms folded across his chest, studying me. We get stuck staring at each other until he looks away, cursing under his breath as he runs his hand over his bearded chin.
“You know I was just fucking with you, right? As long as Jay is cool with it, you can get your interview just like everyone else… no strings,” he says as I fight the urge to close the distance between us and lean against that wall opposite him while he continues to explain. “I wasn’t trying to sexually harass you or no shit like that. I was just shooting my shot. But I’mma fall back, so go ahead and get your interview.”
He waves toward the door, but I don’t move.
“I promise I’m good on the interview.” I shrug nonchalantly and he looks up and down the hallway before pushing himself off the wall, stepping toward me.
“Nah, for real, go ahead.”
His voice is low, almost pleading, and too sexy as he reaches for my hand like he’s going to take me to the table himself. The act is so persuasive I almost let him, but I move just out of his reach at the last minute, doubling down on my decision.
“I’m for real too. I don’t need the interview, but if you were trying to shoot your shot, then keep that same energy. Don’t switch up now,” I say, halfway begging him to ask me out again, and he chuckles.
“First, you say I’m harassing you and shit. Now you want me to keep that energy?” He shakes his head, almost turning to walk away before he comes back, leaning in to be eye level with me. “Are you good? Because I’m fucking confused?”
His demeanor goes from relaxed and leaning against the wall to tense in a matter of minutes, like I’ve stretched his patience past its limits.
“Well, when you come on some bullshit, that’s usually what you get back,” I say with all the audacity as he pulls back and points to himself in disbelief.
“I’m on some bullshit?”
“You were when you tried to get a date in exchange for an interview. I don’t do those types of favors for a story, and I don’t need to. But now that the interview’s a nonfactor, we can clear the way for… whatever.”
I started off strong, but when the word whatever comes off my lips, it’s low, raspy, and drawn out, carrying more emotion than I intend. So much that it travels from my mouth to his ears, seemingly soothing all the traces of stress, when a sleepy smile spreads across his face.
“Whatever?” he asks skeptically, drawing attention to his lips when his tongue peeks out to swipe the top and bottom in one motion.
