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“Is it?Is it?” I exclaim back, in hushed tones.
“Um,” she says, tilting her head at me. “Isn’t it what you’ve wanted for like, ever?”
She has a point there. It’s true. It’s been my dream for as long as I can remember. But that also means I’ve replayed and built it up in my head for so long, it’s sure to go terribly wrong. “Yes, but it just doesn’t feel right.”
“What do you mean?” Drew gives me a look of confusion. But honestly, I’m confused myself, so I doubt I have any answers for her.
“I don’t know. When you dream about something, it’s not real. You can play it out and no one gets hurt. But when it becomes real…well, there’s a possibility of failure.” I rub my temples with the tips of my fingers, making small circles against my skull to stave off a headache.
Drew eyes me for another few silent seconds, assessing my state of being. “Listen, this is good. It’s meant to be. I can feel it. Just be yourself. He’s known you for long enough, you don’t have to pretend. It’s not like other dates where you feel like you’re on eggshells and trying to make sure you don’t say anything wrong.”
That’s valid. All I can do at this point is ride the wave. It will be great or it will be a disappointment.
“Now pull yourself together,” she says. “He will be here any minute and he can’t see you so out of sorts.”
I tilt my head to one side, then the other, stretching and popping my neck. We stand together, Drew walking out before me and toward the front counter. I’m just slipping into the storage room to retrieve some aspirin for my stress-induced headache when I hear the doorbell chime.
“Hello, beautiful people,” Derek says. His familiar voice carries through the shop and I hear everyone greet him in return.
I pop the pills into my mouth and take a sip from my water bottle before emerging. I catch sight of him immediately, but he doesn’t see me yet. He’s leaning over a piece of paper in Hawk’s hand, studying it. I have no doubt it has something to do with the progress of his back piece. The two men are nodding their heads in agreement about something as I step closer.
Derek looks up, his eyes meeting mine immediately, and a small smile spreads across his lips.Oh bless.I was not prepared for that. My insides twist and knot at the sight of him.
“Hey, Willette,” he says.
I nod a silent greeting to him, making every attempt to suppress the stupid smile threatening to split my face open.
Derek begins removing his coat slowly, showing off his blue scrubs underneath, fulfilling every wet dream I’ve ever had where I watch him slowly undress. And he doesn’t stop there. His eyes are still fixed on me as his fingers find the edge of his shirt and begin pulling up, lifting the blue fabric over his head. His arms stretch up, elongating his torso and causing his obliques to flex and relax.
He hangs the shirt over the back of a chair, finally turning away from me.
Derek has the most exquisite back I’ve ever seen. I didn’t even know someone could be attracted to a back. His muscles are perfect. Not too big and bulky. They’re delicate, refined. The half-finished back piece stretches over his shoulder blades, the unfinished lines disappearing lower. Most of my adult life has been spent daydreaming about running my fingers over his back, down his spine, pressing into the dimples above his perfect ass.
“Will? Hello, earth to Will.” I’m snapped out of my trance by Avery. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” I say, clearing my throat. “What’s up?” Thanks to his oblivious nature, Avery has failed to notice why I was standing here staring, nearly drooling on myself.
I try to focus my attention on him, but I feel Derek’s eyes on me once again.
Avery starts speaking, but it’s foggy, muddled. I’m too aware of Derek. He’s too loud in my thoughts.
Eventually, Derek turns away again, positioning himself on his brother’s chair to begin his session.
“What?” I ask Avery, snapping out of this latest trance now.
Avery blinks at me, the sheer frustration in my lack of attention starting to bubble up. “Never mind,” he mumbles. “Let’s talk later when you’re not being a spaz.”
I punch him in the arm, rolling my eyes and playing this whole scene off like it’s no big deal.
I need Drew’s help. I’ve never been on a date with a man like this. I doubt my ripped jeans and clunky boots will do. Derek is like…a grownup. He dresses like a grownup. Not like the guys I date.See.I don’t even call them men. They’re just guys. But Derek…Derek is a man. Like a whole ass responsible adult man. I’m beginning to think I’m totally out of my element and league and mind.
“Hey, Drew,” I say, walking past Hawk’s booth without looking, toward the front counter. “I need your help.” I use a hushed tone. No sense in everyone in here knowing what’s going on.
After explaining the situation to her, she agrees to meet me at my place right after work with tons of options, fully prepared to also help with my hair and makeup. I probably should’ve asked what kind of date this is. But given the weather has turned unusually cold, I doubt it’s an outside activity.
I make my way back to the office and close the door, knowing full well what kind of distraction Derek could be if I allowed it. The best thing for me to do is shut myself in here at least until he leaves. Possibly for the rest of the day.
SAVE TONIGHT
