I stared up at my Monday morning victim, expecting to find glowering eyes burning into the very depths of my soul. Instead, amusement shone back at me; warm and welcoming.
"Thanks for the coffee," he said, flashing me a dimple-showing smirk.
I couldn't have been more mortified if I tried.
"I'm so sorry! You're soaked," I replied, toying between the idea of helping him out of his shirt and doing nothing.
In the end, I did nothing.
"That's quite alright. No point crying over spilled coffee. It'll dry," he insisted, taking out a handkerchief from his pocket.
I watched as he ran the cotton material over his chin, wiping away any leftover remnants of coffee. His light stubble appeared to rebel against the smooth action, drawing attention to his striking jaw.
"I owe you a drink," he stated, throwing his handkerchief in the nearby trash can. "Seeing as I'm wearing yours."
I almost laughed in his face.
"I'm late for class," I informed, regretfully declining his very blunt offer to accompany him for a drink.
Not that this seemed to stop him. He pulled out a fountain pen from his suit jacket and took the, now, empty cup of coffee from my hands. He then proceeded to scribble down his number, blowing me away with his confidence.
"I don't even know your name," I argued, kindly accepting the cup from him.
"Call me later and find out," he replied, throwing in a mischievous wink.
Before I could respond, he walked away, leaving me with an empty coffee cup and a mind full of thoughts.
What the hell just happened?
****
By the time four PM rolled around, I was ready for some much needed food and my bed. Monday's were my busiest days and, as tedious as they were, I preferred it that way. At least then I got it over and done with.
"Hey Ebony. I saw you're on the setlist for the new bar opening down town," stated Zac, our neighbour. "Can't wait!"
"Oh, really? Jez mentioned it. I guess it got approved," I replied, fishing around in my purse for my keys.
I shot him a wave as he retreated back into his apartment, aware of the manly noises coming from the other side of the door to mine. I'd forgotten all about Alex staying with us. Between my busy schedule and my odd encounter with a mysterious man, it had completely slipped my mind.
"Here she is!" delighted Jason, no doubt hearing my arrival. "The one and only, Ebony Lowes."
I entered the kitchen with every intention of introducing myself to his older brother, though stopped short due to who was currently residing on the stool. The guy I spilled coffee on earlier this morning grinned at me, seemingly enjoying a joke I wasn't a part of.
"Hey, you must be Jason's roommate?" he asked, standing from his position. "Nice to meet you."
His pretence that this was our first time meeting came as quite the relief. I didn't know how I felt about Jason's brother giving me his number. Did he know who I was when he did that? Was that why he did it?
"Lovely to meet you too. I've heard a lot about you."
"Only bad I hope," he responded, with a flirtatious edge.
Oh, God!
"We're ordering take-out," informed Jason, thankfully interrupting. "Want in?"
"Sure."
He thrusted a pizza menu my way, encouraging me to state my order as a way of hurrying the process up.
"I'll have the-"
"Let me guess! The Hawaiian!" he stated, proud of himself for guessing correctly.
I couldn't contain my happiness. The fact he remembered showed he cared. He cared about me which meant maybe one day...
"Make that two," inputted Alex, sliding his younger brother a fifty. "Dinner is on me."
Wow.
"Thanks," I replied, "In that case. I'll have chicken wings too."
"What was that, Ebony? Five orders of chicken wings?" mocked Jason, seemingly taking advantage of the fact Alex was paying. "And caviar on the side!"
"Caviar with pizza would be disgusting," informed Alex, taking our light teasing like a champ. "And would certainly cost more than fifty dollars."
Well, that's us told.
Jason smirked and proceeded to call the pizza place, likely having it saved to speed dial. He quickly excused himself when someone on the other end picked up, leaving me alone in our kitchen with Alex.
"So, coffee guy..."
"So, clumsy girl..."
We both smiled.
"Did you know who I was when you gave me your number?" I asked, more than a little curious.
"Not a clue," he admitted.
His suit jacket from earlier was long gone, leaving him in a white, button down shirt, perfect for clinging to his forearms. The stain was no longer there, leading me to the assumption he had changed.
The colouring in his eyes were much darker than his younger brother's; resembling that of a midnight-blue. Jason's reminded me of an ocean during the day. Alex's, at night. His hair was slightly lighter and much more accurately styled. In comparison to Jason's 'messy look', it was much more precise.
"So, Ebony," he began, slowly approaching.
He stopped in front of me and took it upon himself to grasp my waist, enforcing just enough pressure to have me sweating.
"Can I ask you a question?"
Umm...
"Sure," I squeaked, in need of my own personal space.
I feared Jason would walk in and stumble upon what ever the hell this was. Would he think I was interested in his brother? Would he think any less of me? Before I could pull away, Alex positioned his mouth next to my ear, grazing his hot breath along my cheek. I shivered from the interaction and struggled to maintain what little calmness I had left. His closeness was overwhelming. It was inappropriate. It was...nice?
Until he spoke, that was.
"How long have you been in love with my brother?"
OH, SHI-
****
Wow. Our Alex is an observant one, that's for sure.
What would you guys do in Ebony's position?
Lie or admit to it?