“It’s too long, and it’s the only name my parents will call me by - and we don’t have that great a relationship.”
“Natasha.” He stretches it out, playing around with the feel of it on his tongue. He stops abruptly, seemingly to have made a decision. “I like it. Natasha. It’s pretty, it suits you.”
“I’ll let you call me by my full name if you stop wearing those stupid caps. Did you not like, just get off work?”
“Stupid? They’re not stupid.”
“Oh yeah they’re super dope, with your baggy pants and chain hanging low. Just do the world a favor and let the caps go.” I drop his cap back in his lap.
* * *
Andrea,one of the other head chefs at work, calls on Friday morning asking to swap my Sunday for her Friday. While I’m sick of work, I agree, so I can get the rest of the weekend off. It’s such a relief to know that my shifts revert back to normal next week. But I feel like I need to celebrate my weekend off in some small way.
My first thought is to ring Gabby, but she says her and Sam are away on some romantic getaway. She suggests going onto a dating site, yeah because that worked out so well for her. I immediately dismiss the idea.
My next thought is Luke, but I already know he’s busy. He told me a few days ago that he’d be out with his friends watching some game.
My uniform sleeve is an inch from catching fire, again, when I pull myself from my daydream.
Maybe Gabby’s idea for a date wasn’t the most terrible suggestion. Since last night I can’t keep my mind away from Luke. The way he said my full name, the way his hair felt when I lost all self-control and ran my fingers through it. Yes, a distraction is definitely needed here.
Hmm. That guy from the supermarket springs to mind. I vowed not to go out with him, but he seems like my last resort. Lord only knows where everyone else has disappeared to. Suddenly everyone’s got plans and I’m stuck sitting by my lonesome, I don’t think so.
After my shift, on the ride home, I decide I’ll root around to find supermarket guys business card. I’m sure I hadn’t thrown it out. Hopefully, it’ll have his name on too, because for the life of me I can’t remember it.
* * *
Saturday morningyou couldn’t drag me from my bed if you paid me. I sleep a few extra hours than I normally do and when I do finally wake up I flick on the T.V. and spend the next hour lazing. The only reason I contemplate moving from the warmth of my bed is because of the growling beast in my belly.
I sigh out loud. My hunger is winning out over my comfort. I’ll have to get something to eat before my stomach gives me a headache with its deafening noises.
“Good morning, sleeping beauty.” Luke’s voice startles me as I enter the kitchen, it’s so quiet I hadn’t noticed him sitting at the breakfast bar.
I look over and smile at him, sitting and eating his cereal. It’s ridiculous how much I like having someone here to say hello to in the mornings. “Good morning, Luke.”
“Why are you so cheery this morning?”
“Hmm. I had a good sleep.” I keep my eyes down and focused on pouring my coffee, avoiding any eye contact as I busy myself with making breakfast.
He really doesn’t need to know why I had such a good sleep or about the wet dream that woke me up in the middle of the night.
“What have you got planned for today?”
“Oh,” I’m about to say that I have a date but I don’t yet. I haven’t actually rung the guy yet. Jacob, I found his name last night - it’s boldly imprinted on the business card that’s currently sitting on my bedside table.
Of course, even when I do ring Jacob, I’m under no illusion that he’ll say yes. He might not remember me, it was a few weeks ago that we met. He could be busy even, but I won’t let anything stop me. I’m in such a good mood that today I will be unstoppable.
“Natasha?”
“Sorry. Not much, might run to the grocery store. Is there anything you need?”
“Actually, yeah. As long as you don’t mind, I need some Advil.”
“Yeah, no problem. I’ll add it to the list.” I rinse out my cup and leave it on the sink to dry before reaching for my shopping list.
“Are you up to much today?”
“Nope, just going out to watch the game later.”
