18
I am living my best life while asleep.
I decided not to interfere with the shopping trip Wesley and Layla went out on today. Things are too new with us for me to be a part of their plan. I want to assume Wesley will make better decisions after missing parts of the contract with Virtual Generation. Though, I'm no stranger to a man who never learns from his mistake. I'm being cautious, but hopeful.
While they're out, I purged my bedroom. It's been forever since I've had time off like this since I graduated college. Heather from Lacto Natural Central already sent me a proposal with a job description and it looks better than anything I could have come up with, so I will sleep on it and sign it in the morning. I hate trying to appear like I'm not desperate for a job, but adulting is fun like that. Plus, I've had it with sitting in my apartment again for so many consecutive hours.
Other than the short time between job one and job two, plus this week, I haven't had so much time off in years, which should be a positive thing. However, I sit and think, contemplating the pieces of my life, and how they aren't moving in the direction I would have hoped they'd be in by now.
The irony is, I never wanted to be that girl who was desperate to finda spouse, settle down, and have kids by a certain age, but the thoughts keep jabbing at my mind, and I can't push them away anymore. Still, I need to be mindful that nothing happens overnight and while Wesley seems like a great guy, he might just be another one of those temporary floating pieces that would tie me up and keep me from finding my destiny. It's a shitty way to think. I feel like I'm always in a race, trying to beat life at its own game. I'm not winning. I know that.
I've filled the third trash bag with old clothes, and I'm onto the next, but I hear footsteps clambering down the hallway outside of our apartment unit. They must be back. I promised myself not to ask what the stupid job is again because I think Layla gets a kick out of torturing me, so when she's ready, or Wesley, if he happens to know by now, I'll find out when I find out.
“You need to give me the rest of the details now because I don't like any part of this so far," I hear Wesley say from the living room. Awesome. Just as I hoped this would be going.
“Okay, I will explain all of it now. Come sit down with me at my desk and I'll show you."
I'm not listening. I don't want to know anything anymore.
“Hey, Mads," Layla yells just as Wesley walks into my room.
“Whatcha doing in here?" Wesley asks me.
“Cleaning because I never have time to just clean. You know, it's a very cleansing experience."
“Cleaning usually is cleansing," he says, laughing at me.
He drops to the ground and pulls me onto his lap and wraps his arms around me. “I brought you a coffee. It's on the counter in the kitchen."
“You did?"
“I wished you had come with us," he whispers in my ear. “Your roommate is crazy."
“I know. That's why I stayed here," I whisper back.
“Thanks for the heads up," he says, snickering. “Payback is coming your way." He nips at my earlobe, and the sensation sends a rush of warmth through every inch of my body.
“I deserve payback, I suppose."
“Tonight," he says against my ear. “I want to pay you back a lot."
I twist my head, curious to see the look in his eyes, which matches what I imagined—a dark, sinful, hunger. His eyes are piercing, and when I stare into them, I feel a shock spark through the center of my core. He places a soft kiss on my lips, moaning so softly, his breath tickles my ears.
“Stop making me fall for you. I don't know a thing about you, Wesley Moon."
“Well, that makes two of us, Madelyn Wall."
“We should get to know each other," I tell him.
“We should," he agrees.
“I'm waiting," Layla shouts. “I don't have all day, milkman."
“Why is she calling you that?" I ask, closing my eyes, imagining the worst.
“I have a bad feeling I know why, but she hasn't confirmed my suspicions yet. Come sit with us, please. Please. I'm begging you," he says.
“But this closet will not clean itself …" I tell him.
