Chapter 5: What Kind Of A Daydream?!

A shadow crosses our table while Chloe and I are absorbed in conversation. Ryan, who has been hanging out at the bar for weeks, is obviously crushing on me when I look up. His face has that excited puppy-dog expression that indicates he's going to try his luck once more. His voice brims with an effort at slick assurance as he adds, "Hey, June." "Can I buy a drink for you?"

I force a polite smile. “Hey, Ryan. I’m good, thanks. I’ve already got one.”         

He doesn’t take the hint, sliding into the booth next to me, way too close for comfort. “Come on, one drink won’t hurt. I’ve been wanting to talk to you for a while.”         

Chloe raises an eyebrow, clearly amused by the situation. I can tell she’s waiting to see how I’ll handle this.         

I sighed inwardly, keeping my tone as friendly as possible. “Look, Ryan, you seem like a nice guy, but I’m just not interested. I’m here to catch up with my friend.”         

He looks a bit deflated but tries to rally. “Maybe we could hang out another time then? I’d really like to get to know you.”         

I shook my head gently. “I appreciate it, but I’m really not looking for anything right now. I’m sorry.”          Ryan’s face falls, but he nods, finally getting the message. “Alright, I get it. Have a good night, June.”         

I release a breath I didn't know I was holding as he stands up and leaves. As soon as he is out of earshot, Chloe starts laughing."June, these guys are drawn to you like a magnet!"I rolled my eyes, amused and frustrated at the same time. "Explain it to me. They seem to sense my lack of interest and see it as a challenge, I swear.Chloe continues to laugh and shakes her head. “You handled that well, though. Maybe you should give him a chance. He seems harmless enough.”         

I snort. “Harmless isn’t exactly what I’m looking for. Besides, I’ve got enough on my plate without adding a hopeless romance to the mix.”          Chloe raises her glass in mock salute. “To hopeless romances and avoiding them like the plague.”         

I clink my glass against hers, laughing. “Cheers to that.”         

Chloe takes another sip of her drink, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “So, June, when’s the last time you had fun? And I don’t mean working overtime or dodging guys like Ryan.”         

I groan, knowing where this is headed. “Chloe, don’t start.”         

She gave me a knowing look. “Come on, girl. You’ve been single for ages. When was the last time you actually let loose and had some… you know, s*x?”         

I shook my head, trying to deflect. “It’s been a while. But I’ve been busy, you know? Work, Felix, life in general.”         

Chloe rolls her eyes. “Busy is just an excuse. You need to get out there and live a little. Trust me, it’ll do you a world of good.”         

I laughed, but it sounds a bit forced. “And where exactly am I supposed to find this mythical good time? Between juggling work and Felix, there’s hardly any time left for myself.”         

Chloe leans in, lowering her voice. “Look, I know you’ve had it rough. But seriously, you deserve to enjoy yourself. Even if it’s just for one night. Find someone, have a fling, and just… let go. Before your virginity grows back.”         

Her remarks hit a chord, and all of a sudden, I saw that arrogant man from this morning. Mr. Hotshot, with his arrogant grin and those annoyingly flawless features.I take another sip of my drink and think about what Chloe said. Before I know it, I'm back in that morning, but this time, things are different. My thoughts begin to roam.Mr. Hotshot catches the door just in time, his smirk turning into a more lighthearted one, rather than slamming it on me. "Need some help with those binders?" he murmurs, leaning close and pressing his warm breath against my ear.     

In this version of events, I nod, feeling a strange thrill as he takes the heavy load from me. We walked side by side to the elevator, our shoulders brushing. The tension between us is electric, and when the doors close, it’s just the two of us, the air thick with unspoken desire.         

His eyes lock onto mine, dark and intense. “You know, I’ve been thinking about you all day,” he says, his voice a low, seductive rumble. “I can't get you out of my mind.”         

My heart races as he steps closer, his hand gently brushing a strand of hair from my face. “I...” I start, but he silences me with a finger to my lips.          “Shh,” he whispers, his lips so close to mine I can almost taste him. “Just let go.”         

He covers the distance before I can reply, planting a moist kiss on my lips. It's intense, all-consuming, and completely intoxicating—everything I didn't realize I needed. As he draws me in closer, I melt into him and tangle my hands in his hair.Our bodies are pushed together in a hot hug as we stagger back against the elevator wall. I get chills from the way his hands move over my back. The world outside is disappearing as I feel his heart beating in time with mine.I buried my lips in his neck and tore open his shirt. He zipped the zipper of my dress down and located my n*ppl*s and licked them hungrily.          Just as things are heating up, a sharp voice cuts through the fantasy. “Earth to June!”         

I blink, the vivid daydream shattering as I snap back to reality. Chloe is waving a hand in front of my face, her eyes twinkling with amusement.          “Where did you go just now? You looked like you were a million miles away.”         

I laugh, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks. “Sorry, I just... got lost in my thoughts.”         

Chloe raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “Uh-huh, and I bet I can guess where those thoughts were heading. Spill it, girl.”          I shake my head, trying to hide my embarrassment. “It’s nothing, really. Just a silly daydream.”         

“You’ve started with your daydreams. Who is it with this time?” she teases, nudging me with her elbow.         

I sigh, giving in. “Okay, fine, maybe it was about him. But it’s ridiculous. He’s the last person I should be fantasizing about.”         

Chloe laughs, giving me a sympathetic pat on the back. “Hey, sometimes the heart wants what it wants, even if the head knows better. Just... be careful, okay?”         

I nod, taking another sip of my drink. “Yeah, I know. Thanks, Chloe.”         

“Should we order more drinks? I think we should!” Chloe suggested.         

“I don’t think I want anything strong, I’ll just do a Virgin Mojito. I don’t want to show up at my second job with a hangover. Thanks.” I said with a grin.        

“A virgin mojito? just like you.” She teased and we both laughed into the night.