It’s now Sunday, early evening. It’s been a while since I checked the status of my internship application, so I log onto my email. I’ve received a message from the company.
Time stretches out. My fingers freeze over the keyboard. I want so badly to open the email, but I don’t. Fear races through me—fear of rejection. Acceptance could cement the beginning of my career. If I’m rejected? What then?
If Sebastian were here, he wouldn’t hesitate to open it. He runs blindly toward his goals and doesn’t stop long enough to wonder if he’ll fail. It’s something I admire about him, though I’ve never told him. He’d never let me forget it otherwise.
Channeling my inner Sebastian, I click on the email.
Congratulations! Your application has been accepted into the…
I’m shaking. I’m actually shaking. My heart slows to a dangerous speed, and I realize it’s because I’ve stopped breathing.
It feels like a new day. A beginning. It’s surreal. This is the result of years of hard work, little social life, always striving to improve. And I did it. I fucking did it.
Closing my laptop, I look around my bedroom. I won’t be able to tell my family the news until Friday, but I want to celebrate. Shocking, I know. This is too big of a deal to sit holed up in my apartment. For once, I crave human interaction.
What is the world coming to?
The first person who comes to mind is Mav, but I know he won’t be up for going out. The next person is Max.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I text him.
Hey, this is kind of random but you know that internship I was telling you about? Well, I got accepted. I wanted to celebrate and am wondering if you’d want to go out and grab a beer.
It doesn’t take long for him to reply.Wow, congratulations! Of course I’ll celebrate with you. Have you heard of Cleo’s?
No. Do they serve drinks?
Yeah. It’s off Fifth Ave. Do you want to meet there? My treat.
I’m smiling.Sure. Meet you there in thirty minutes?
Can’t wait.
We arrive at Cleo’s at the same time. I recognize Max’s car as I’m pulling in, and he parks next to me. When I step into the freezing February air, I look around. There’s a large building with unused tables outside, and booths just inside the windows. “I thought you said Cleo’s was a bar,” I said, unsure about how I feel learning it’s actually a restaurant.
He grins, shifting closer, and bumps my shoulder with his. “No, I said it served drinks.”
My eyes narrow. “You’re not taking me out to dinner, are you?”
“And if I was?”
It’s then that I take in what he’s wearing. Fitted dark slacks and dress shoes. A crisp button-down in a pale blue that emphasizes the rich tones of his skin beneath his open coat. His crooked smile that does funny things to my heart.
Then I look at what I’m wearing. Basically the same thing, though my shirt is navy. I hadn’t even realized how much I was dressing up to grab a drink with him.
I expect myself to freak out over this sudden revelation. Strangely, I’m not. Rather, I’m excited. This plan is much better than the first.
“Is this some plan you have?” I say. “To wear me down?”
“Yes, actually.” With a low laugh, he closes the space between us, allowing me to smell whatever soap or body wash he uses. It’s dark, masculine, and makes my pulse go haywire. Dipping his head toward my ear, he whispers, “Is it working?”
My mouth goes dry. It wasn’t my plan to touch him, but my hands have a mind of their own. One rests on his chest, the other at his waist. “I wish it wasn’t.”
He leans back, smiling. The man is always smiling. Then he wraps his strong arms around me, pulling me to his chest. I’m so startled I stand stiff as a board. “Congratulations on your internship acceptance. You should be proud of yourself.” Just as quickly, he lets me go. I’m almost disappointed.
God damn, I’m blushing. I don’t think I’ve ever blushed in my life. “Thank you,” I say softly. “That means a lot to me.”
“Have you told your family yet?”
