“It’s all good. I’ve realized I’m too rigid in my ways of life. So your unpredictable personality and messy habits are welcome.” It’s my turn to be charmed, and I pull him toward me for one more kiss.
We eat the rest of our breakfast, talking and learning more about each other. I’m feeling so comfortable around him, all this is so natural, I can’t help but think I want this to happen daily. From the incredible wake up to the chatty and healthy breakfast and then the ride to work that will follow.
Yes, a girl could get used to this.
I could get used to him.
I want to.
I’m making my way to the dev office when Mason grabs my arm to pull me into an isolated spot. “Alright, sis, spill the tea,” he demands with sparkling eyes. My heart launches itself into an insane rhythm. Fuck, what does he know?
“Hmm, what?”
“Oh, come on. You were all dolled up yesterday, and now you look like you barely slept. You had a hot date that went well, and I want to hear all about it.”
Relief floods me, and my hectic heartbeat and thoughts settle down. Mason doesn’t know about Lex and me. “It was… great,” I admit, seeing no point in denying it all.
“Girl, give me some details. Was it your first time seeing the guy?”
“No, it started a few weeks ago.”
“Okay, are you secretly seeing our resident ginger?” he bluntly asks. My jaw drops. Why would he think that? “We know you and Oli went on a date and then nothing,” he says nonchalantly. “But you two are always cute and all together, so we thoughtyou were secretly seeing each other.”
“Who is ‘we,’ Mason?”
“Me. I’m ‘we.’ I have this matchmaker syndrome I got from my mom. I can’t help it.”
“Well, I’m not dating Oli,” I state, hoping I’m firm enough. “We went out on one date, and then I realized I’d never like him like that. That’s the extent of it.”
“Oh, I see… And is it serious with that other guy?”
“It’s slowly getting there.”
“You go, girl! I can’t believe you got a man and never told me.”
“He isn’tmyman.”
“Yeah, yeah… Answer me this, at least. Is he worth barely sleeping?”
I let out a surprised laugh, not expecting him to go so boldly into this line of questioning. Why is everyone so invested in my sex life? Surely, people are interested in sex in general, and the fact that it’s me having it is irrelevant.
“Oh, come on,” he insists. “I haven’t found myself a good man in months. I need to know they still exist.”
“I’m not sharing details, but I’ll throw you a bone and say he very much knows what he’s doing.”
“Ugh, has he got a gay brother?” he presses. I give him a mysterious smile, wiggling my eyebrows. “Friends don’t gatekeep, Dee.”
“Well, I’m keeping this one all to myself, sorry, Mace.”
He sighs and his shoulders sink with disappointment. “I see you, Dee. I see you…”
I’m on Cloud nine all morning and feel like I’ll never come down from it. Mason sometimes notices my elated mood and gives me a knowing look while shaking his head.
Later in the day, I’m seated with the guys for lunch when the free chair next to me is pulled back. My heart flutters before I even look up to see who it is, instantly recognizing Lex’s hand. It’s a struggle to contain my broad smile when our eyes meet as he casually settles his fried rice next to my lunchbox.
“Hi, boss,” Brian greets him.
“Fancy seeing you here,” Steven jokes. It is a rare occurrence indeed.
