Fermented Desires

First Meets

Ashton groaned as the sharp chime of his phone disrupted his dreamless sleep. Squinting against the glow of the screen, he read the message:

Cameron: Mall. 11AM. Don't make me drag you.

"Fantastic," Ashton muttered, his voice heavy with sarcasm. He dropped the phone back onto his nightstand and rubbed his face. Why Cameron insisted on doing anything that early was beyond him, but skipping out wasn't an option. The last time he bailed, Cameron held it over his head for weeks.

Dragging himself out of bed, Ashton shuffled through his morning routine at a sluggish pace. Coffee first, shower second, then a grudging attempt at finding something presentable to wear. By the time he was ready, Cameron was already waiting by the door, tapping his watch for emphasis.

"You move slower than a snail on a lazy day," Cameron quipped, shoving his phone into his pocket. "Let's go, or the line's gonna be around the block."

"You're lucky I like you," Ashton shot back, though his tone lacked any real bite. Cameron's excitement over shoes was mildly endearing—if not mildly irritating.

By the time they reached the mall, the parking lot was packed. A telltale sign of weekend chaos and shoppers desperate to snag the latest drops. Sure enough, the line outside the store was a testament to Cameron's poorly calculated timing—and Ashton's slower pace.

"See? This is what happens when you're late," Cameron grumbled, glaring at Ashton as if he'd intentionally slowed time.

"You'll live," Ashton replied, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his jacket. He followed Cameron to the back of the line, where they stood amidst a crowd of buzzing conversations and restless shuffling.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally made it to the front. Cameron's shoulders relaxed as the clerk pulled out the last box in his size. Ashton smirked at the sheer relief on his friend's face.

"Crisis averted," Ashton teased as they exited the store, Cameron clutching his prized shoes like a trophy.

"You're lucky I'm in a good mood," Cameron shot back, though his grin gave him away.

The rest of their shopping trip was a blur of clothing racks and Cameron's running commentary on style—half of which Ashton ignored. When they finally got in line for food, Ashton's attention was pulled elsewhere. A striking figure stood just ahead, her deep brown skin glowing under the fluorescent lights and her auburn curls cascading down her back, bouncing slightly with her movements. She was slim-thick, her curves perfectly highlighted by a fitted crop top and high-waisted jeans that hugged her figure. The effortless confidence in her posture contrasted with the slight sway of her hips, as though she wasn't entirely aware of the attention she commanded.

Ashton's gaze trailed down, taking in the sleek sneakers she wore—a mix of casual and stylish that completed the look. She reached up to adjust a gold chain around her neck, her delicate fingers drawing his attention to the way her collarbone caught the light.

His admiration lingered a moment too long. Her head dipped slightly as if she'd been caught, and a hint of color bloomed on her cheeks. She tucked a curl behind her ear, the small, nervous gesture pulling a smirk to Ashton's lips.

She'd been checking him out—and she knew he'd noticed.

"Couldn't help but notice me, huh?" Ashton said, his tone playful, a smirk tugging at his lips.

Her cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red as she stammered, "I... I was just..."

"It's okay," he cut in smoothly, leaning slightly closer. "I'd probably stare too if I were you."