Y/N's POV
I wake up in my cramped Brooklyn apartment, half-dazed, my face getting smacked by a tiny furry paw. Missy, my cat, has zero respect for my boundaries-or my sleep schedule. Apparently, breakfast is non-negotiable. I groggily stumble out of bed, throwing a half-hearted glare at her as if that'll stop her from treating me like a personal waiter.
As I pour her food, she stares at me with an intensity that would make any HR rep nervous. We end up sitting on the couch together, her chomping down on her expensive gourmet salmon pâté while I nibble on leftover pizza from two nights ago. Because who needs a proper breakfast when you can have a carb-induced coma in front of Love Island? The show's a mess, but it's my mess, and I can't look away.
After an hour of watching people pretend to "find love" while plotting their next dramatic exit, I throw my hair into the most tragic messy bun I can muster. It's more of a "was this inspired by a raccoon?" than a cute 'effortless chic' moment, but it'll have to do. I grab my keys and head out the door, just in time to see my neighbor Maria-who's the literal definition of warmth-walking out at the same time.
"Morning, Y/N! You off to class?"
"Morning, Maria! Nah, no class today. Just pretending I've got my life together while I run errands and avoid any real responsibilities."
She laughs, the sound warm like fresh-baked bread, and I swear if she offered me one of her empanadas again, I'd sell my soul. I still dream about the ones she brought over when I moved in.
"Does Jess need a ride?"
"Nope, she's got classes later. You know how it is, all of us trying to pretend we have our lives figured out," I reply, a half-grin on my face.
"Well, you girls take care of yourselves. And tell her I said hey."
"I will, Maria. See you later!"
I wave as I head down the block to the corner store. The essentials: pads, ice cream, and-fine, I'll admit it-a few extra bags of chips because I'm an emotional eater. Don't judge.
The store's got that dim, flickering fluorescent light vibe that screams "dangerous decisions," but today, it's got something else... him.
There's a new guy working behind the counter, and let me tell you, I didn't know a human being could look like that. He's tall, with black hair that falls in all the right ways, like it's naturally messy but also perfectly calculated. And his hands? Jesus. They're big-dangerously big-and I already know he could snap me like a twig, but I wouldn't even mind.
I'm trying to pretend I'm not staring, but let's be real: I probably look like I've never seen a guy before. I mean, who is this guy? He's the kind of guy who'd ruin your life in the best way, the kind of guy you'd let ruin you just for the story.
I grab my things and head to the counter, trying to act cool. He looks up, his eyes locking onto mine for a moment that feels too long, and when he speaks, his voice is low-like gravel, like it's been drenched in something dark and dangerous.
"You find everything okay?" he asks, his eyes lingering on me for just a second too long.
My brain short circuits. I swear I was about to answer him, but instead, I just nod, hoping it doesn't look like I'm about to pass out or spontaneously combust on the spot. I probably said "yep." Maybe I whispered. Hell if I know.
All I know is, this man could either be my best mistake or the start of something way too messy for me to handle. Either way? I'm in. I'm all the way in.
I hand him the money, and he doesn't take it immediately. He just holds my gaze for a second longer, his fingers brushing against mine when he finally grabs the cash, sending an unexpected jolt through me. My heartbeat stutters, and I hope to God it's not that obvious.
He raises an eyebrow, a slow smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "You sure you got everything?" he asks, his voice a little too smooth. Like he knows he's got me hooked, and he's enjoying every second of it.
I bite my lip to keep from smiling like a schoolgirl. "Uh, yeah. I think I'm good," I reply, trying to sound casual-like I didn't just have an out-of-body experience because of his touch.
He leans against the counter, looking me up and down in that way that makes it feel like he's studying me, evaluating me. "You don't seem like the type to get ice cream just because, you know. Something's on your mind?" He doesn't say it like a question, more like a statement.
It hits me then. He's not just flirting. He's reading me. Something about the way he observes me feels sharp, calculated... almost dangerous.
"Maybe," I say, my voice quieter than I intended, and then I can't help but laugh awkwardly. "I mean, who isn't thinking about ice cream at least once a day? But yeah, maybe I'm avoiding something, who knows."
He gives me a look, eyes narrowing slightly as if he's trying to figure me out. Then, just as quickly, his gaze softens, and he leans forward, his face closer now. "You know," he says, his breath just warm enough to send a shiver down my spine, "if you're looking for an escape, I might know a place... where you can forget your worries for a while."
My stomach flips, and I swear I just blinked twice before I realized he wasn't talking about the ice cream.
I don't know what to say. My mind races, wondering if I should be terrified or excited, or both. But then, out of nowhere, I hear a familiar voice.
"Y/N!"
It's Jessie, walking into the store, completely unaware of the scene unfolding. She gives me a questioning look, then glances over at the guy behind the counter. I swear I see a flicker of recognition in her eyes before she raises an eyebrow.
"Uh, what's going on here?" Jessie asks, her voice a little too loud, almost as if she's teasing.
I glance at the guy, who's now looking at Jessie with that same smug expression, and then back at her. "Nothing. Just getting some... essentials."
Jessie doesn't buy it. She smirks, but then her expression softens when she notices the way this guy's still looking at me-like he's not going anywhere. Like he knows something I don't.
"Right," Jessie says, clearly amused. "Well, don't let me interrupt."
I shake my head, embarrassed now, but somehow I can't bring myself to look away from him. He's still leaning there, relaxed, like he knows exactly what he's doing, and I hate how much I don't mind it.
"Maybe I'll see you around," he says, his voice low, almost a challenge, as if he's daring me to make the next move.
Jessie shoots me a look. "You two have fun," she says, before picking up her own items and heading to the counter. But not before she adds with a sly grin, "He seems... interesting."
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding, then grab my bag. As I turn to leave, I hear him call out, just before I hit the door:
"Hey, don't forget to take care of yourself."
That's it. That's the last straw. I'm not sure what just happened, but I know one thing for sure-I'm going to be thinking about him for a long time.
I'm already planning the next trip to the corner store.
