“Myssa, it was fucking humiliating—he was kicking people out just because they asked me for my phone number. Who does that?” She waves her hands dramatically, like, what the fuck?
“Clearly, Knox,” I sarcastically answer.
“I finally yelled at him and told him he’s not my fucking keeper.”
“What did he say?” I ask.
She lets out a huff and starts to wipe down the bar. “Nothing, he just stood there for the night. Like a fucking stalker,” she adds, shaking her head, then she grabs a glass and fills it with water. She goes to put it to her lips but then side-eyes me and pauses.
“I guess it was kinda hot, pushing his buttons.” She smiles as she takes a sip.
“Amen to that.” I laugh. After picking up my glass and clinking it with hers, I drink the rest down.
“Listen, if you see Loverboy, can you have him come up to Zayne's office? I need to talk to them both about something.”
“Everything ok?”
“Yeah, I'll text you about it later.” I hug her and head back towards Zayne’s office.
I knock, and I hear, “Come in.”
Zayne looks up as I walk in. “You know you don’t have to knock, Myssa.”
“I know. It’s just a habit.” I shrug as I sit in the chair in front of his desk.
“So, did you like your surprise?” he asks.
“Do you even have to ask that question?” I joke.
“Did they leave already?”
“Yeah, unfortunately they had to get back on the road right away, as this was an unexpected stop between tour dates. They’re on their way to Ohio,” he says.
“But,” he reaches around the side of his desk and comes back up with a tube and a hoodie.
“Shut up. Is that for me?” I say as I reach out to grab the tube.
He quickly hides it behind his back.
“Zayne, seriously?” I say, frustrated.
“How much is it worth to you?” he teases.
I don’t hesitate, and I don’t think. I walk up closer to him and pull him down to my level. He lets me, and that’s the only permission I need. I look into his eyes, and I can see the same passion I’m feeling looking back at me. I brush my lips against his, teasing him. But before I can deepen the kiss and take the leap past the line, past the boundary he put in place, there’s a knock at the door.
I take a step back, looking down at the floor, my cheeks still burning from the anticipation of finally getting to kiss him again. When Knox peaks his head in, looking at the two of us, he hesitates, realizing he’s just interrupted something.
Zayne, clearly flustered as well, fumbles the poster tube for a second, and then hands it to me awkwardly before shoving the hoodie at me.
Clearing his throat, he says, “Here, hope you like it.”
What the fuck? I raise my eyebrow at him and take it from him.
“I’m sure I will,”
Knox clears his throat.
“Uh, as fascinating as it is to watch you two pretend you don’t have feelings for each other, Vix said you wanted to see me, Myssa.”
