She is the most beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes on. She’s who artists envision when starting a new canvas, and I’m the lucky one who gets to see the real life thing.
I stand under the shower head, water drowning me just like my thoughts of Maisie.
Fuck.
Looking down, my dick is hard.This can’t happen right now,I think to myself as I turn the water on cold in hopes that it’ll go away. I know if I touch myself, it’ll end with Maisie’s name on my lips.
A minute under cold water does the trick as I turn off the shower and wrap a towel around my waist. I end up choosing a crewneck and jeans from my closet along with a baseball hat.
Girls like hats, right?
What if she thinks I’m balding?
I ditch the hat.
I don’t have an appetite to eat but I know I’ll regret skipping breakfast so when I get dressed, I make my way to the kitchen.
The feeling of butterflies spark up in my stomach and a smile creeps on my face—a smile I need to hide as I find Miles already in the kitchen, sitting at the table on his laptop.
“Good morning, sunshine,” I say as I grab a few slices of bread from the cabinet, opting for toast. To no one’s shock, I get a gruff in return. “I know you gave me the day off but I just wanted to double check if you care that I leave in a bit for an hour or so?”
“Got a hot afternoon date?”
“Hot? Yes. Date? I wish.”
He stops typing and eyes me skeptically. “I knew that smile this early in the morning wasn’t normal. Who’s the girl?”
Fuck. My smile outed me.
“Remember Maisie, from Ruby’s the other day?”
“Ah yes, the one you stalked into the coffee shop. Right?”
“Stalked? It was a mere coincidence but yes, her.” I pop both pieces of bread into the toaster and walk to the fridge to grab butter. “She asked me for help with something so I’m going to go meet up with her.”
“She askedyou?” His eyebrows raise in shock.
“Is that so hard to believe?” I retort.
“Just keep it in your pants. Everyone here loves her and if you break her heart, you might as well skip town.”
“Wasn’t planning on it, oh wise one.” I roll my eyes as I shut the refrigerator door.
“I’m serious. Her and her family mean a lot to Ruby Lake and you’re leaving at the end of August.” A harsh reminder of the future I don’t have come the end of summer. “I don’t want heroryouto get hurt.” He gives me the same look my dad gives me when he’s concerned but unsure how to show the emotion.
“I don’t plan on being more than friends specifically for that reason. Completely platonic, I promise.”
A promise I hate to keep.
Time doesanythingbutfly by for the next hour.
Nothing can keep my attention away from blonde hair and freckled skin, and believe me I’ve tried everything—watching TV, doom scrolling on my phone… I started sweeping to pass time.
I even triple checked her message to make sure the time was in fact noon and hadn’t magically changed. Though part of me wishes it were sooner so I could see her.
This time last week I had just met Maisie and now I’m eagerly waiting on the edge of my bed to beg her to let me help her with her Fuck It List.
Begging her to let me into her life—friend, or more.
