RYAN
''Stop glaring at me like that!'' says Taylor, uncomfortable under my gaze as I continue shooting daggers, making my annoyance very clear.
It's a Thursday night. I've got a shit ton of work to do but what am I doing? I'm sitting across the city's two resident Romeos' as they boast about their latest conquests like it's some kind of competition. And then my third friend beside me has his eyes glued to his phone, clearly answering work emails.
I know I'm being a wet blanket as I see my friends making small talk and taking jabs at each other, laughing without a care in the world.
I accept my fate and try to settle in the congested booth we four have settled in for the evening and take in my surroundings. Soft jazz music plays in the background of the intimate, dimly lit restaurant. The space is filled with booths attached to walls, wooden tables, and mismatched chairs. Warm, amber lighting casts a gentle glow over the patrons who sit, chat, and laugh. A few whines, cries, and giggles can be heard from kids as they chase each other around the space.
There's a savory undercurrent in the air, with the aroma of roasted meats, herbs, and spices mingling together. It's a tantalizing scent that makes your mouth water, promising a delicious meal ahead. A warm and welcoming atmosphere envelopes the room.
In the heart of Queens, amidst the eclectic bustle of the borough, tucked away from the skyscrapers of Manhattan, Haven. It's no upscale Micheline restaurant but is a hot spot bustling with people coming and going. And just like its name, it provides refuge, away from the hustle of our lives.
Taylor sits across me with Liam to his right, while Noah sits to my right. We've got beer on our table and just ordered our food. And I continue to send faux glares at Taylor, just enjoying watching him squirm in his seat.
''Oh, come on man! You were going to rot in there, under the piles of all those papers if we didn't come to get you. Let loose!'' Taylor exclaims, finally having had enough of my glower.
''Don't even say we, I still have emails to reply and I'm here sitting in front of you, while you gawk at every girl that comes in,'' Noah grumbles, still focused on his phone screen.
Liam sits there nonchalantly, chuckling at the sight of me moving in my seat, trying to get comfortable. This booth is not the ideal spot to sit for four grown-ass men.
I pick up my bottle to take a swig as Liam speaks up to defend Taylor. ''The last time we saw each other was at that charity gala two weeks ago surrounded by snobs. Definitely not my favorite spot to catch up with friends. Cut him some slack, alright?''
Taylor leans towards Liam, wrapping his arm around Liam's neck, and exclaims '' See! He gets my point.''
''To most people, we are one of those snobs,'' I tell him as I lean back in my seat. Liam expression contorts as if I spat on his face.
''Oh please, I'm nothing like those conceited assholes.'' He tells me clearly offended. I know he's not but can't miss out on a chance to mess with him.
''Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night.'' I tip my bottle towards him and bring the bottle back to my mouth, trying to hide my smile while he looks like he's ready for a fistfight.
''Aren't you talkative for a person who was just brooding about not being in his office.'' Liam mocks me. I shrug and pick up my tablet.
Good thing I picked it up before they literally dragged me out of my office. I focus my gaze on the screen and scroll through files.
''Where'd you pull that out from?'' Taylor exclaims as if I just performed a magic trick.
''His ass,'' Noah answers, his eyes still glued to his screen. As if he's one to talk.
''Well, that makes one of the things stuck up there,'' Liam adds to this nonsense conversation.
I keep my eyes on the screen with Liam and Taylor's banter as background noise. The two continue with easy conversations and I engage when needed as I go through one last document for the night.
The only thing other than my friend's voice that takes away my attention are a few kids, as they chase each other, giggling and playing tag. They zoom past us every few minutes oblivious to their surroundings, absorbed in a world of their own.
But this time through the screams and giggles of the children a low but high-pitched squeal catches my attention.
I look up to see a body flailing and failing miserably at keeping its balance. Acting on instinct I toss my tablet aside and reach out to steady the person as they fall right in my lap.
I'm still stunned as I turn my attention to observe the body. It's a woman.
I move my head back to free myself from her dark strands that cover my face.
Her scent envelopes me. Roses. She smells like roses.
She smells nice.
And my mind comes to a screeching halt at this thought.
What the hell am I doing?
I shift my focus from the most random and absurd thought— I've ever had in my whole life— back to the woman who remains still and rigid, probably awaiting her union with the cold, hard marble.
Her warm presence surrounds me as she relaxes a bit, looking around, trying to figure out the situation she is in. Her eyes open wide in shock, lock with mine and right at that moment everything and everyone around me is nothing but a blur. Our proximity is intimate as a subtle spark of connection passes between us.
I'm pulled out of the trance as I feel her wiggling in my lap, trying to free herself from the grip I unknowingly had on her waist. Registering the situation, I loosen my grip and she jumps up with a squeal as if my touch burnt her.
''Oh my god, I'm so sorry!'' She gasps out as I stand up cursing at the fact that I got a hard on by such a situation.
''It's alright,'' I assure her as I take in the rest of her features. My breath is stuck in my throat the moment my gaze focuses on her.
A pair of almond eyes framed by long, dark lashes add depth to her gaze. They are a mesmerizing shade of deep hazel, with hints of green and brown that seem to change with the light. A small and elegant nose. High and gracefully sculpted, her cheekbones lend a subtle contour to her face. Her lips are naturally full, soft, and inviting, painted in a deep red shade.
Every feature is delicately balanced and harmonious, creating an effortlessly captivating visage.
The piercing sound of a whistle reverberates through the space, gaining my attention. In that moment, I realized with a start that we'd unwittingly become the focal point of everyone's attention. It's as though every person in the room is engrossed by the unfolding scene before them, their interest far surpassing any concern for their own meals.
I clear my throat as I notice the slight blush on her cheeks as she looks everywhere but at me.
''Are you alright?'' I ask amused by the reaction. My lips twitch, threatening to spread into a full-blown smile.
''Ahh, yes. Thanks to you.'' She breathes out and offers a small —almost invisible— smile as she finally looks up at me.
The waitress coughs catching our attention. ''May I lead you to your table, miss?''
''Oh, of course.'' She turns to the waitress and the waitress starts to take the lead.
''Thank you, again.'' She says and follows the waitress.
As everyone resumes their activities, I sink back into my seat, my gaze fixed on her retreating figure. She's draped in a sleek black overcoat, her long raven hair cascading down her back, nearly blending into the shadows. I track her movements as she follows the waitress to an empty booth not far from ours, positioned at around 2 o'clock from my perspective. The back of her head nods in acknowledgment as the waitress departs, leaving her alone in her secluded corner.
Despite knowing I should avert my gaze, but for some inexplicable reason, I find myself fixated on her every move. As she removes her overcoat, revealing her silhouette, I can't help but trace the lines of her figure. A white turtle neck sticking to her body, tucked into her black pants cling to her frame, revealing her silhouette.
My eyes slide over every dip and curve of her body. The body that was in my lap just a moment ago. A feeling of loss runs through me.
I inwardly groan feeling ridiculous.
Get a grip, Ryan.
I focus on my table and see three pairs of eyes filled with too much interest.
''Waohhhhh!'' they holler and surprisingly it's not too loud. But just enough to annoy me.
''Enough.'' I tell them and pick up my discarded tablet, trying to ignore the inquisitive gazes thrown my way.
''Oohh, he's so bothered, he can't even look us in the eyes.'' Taylor starts. Making me wonder if I'm friends with kindergartners.
''I am not.'' I bite out still not looking up as I discreetly move in my seat trying to adjust the hard-on.
Totally not bothered. At all.
''Hell yeah, you are.'' Liam chimes in.
''Stop it.'' I finally look up and see two faces grinning like idiots. And the mute guy to my left is looking too amused. I narrow my eyes at them trying to get them to quit it.
The two in front of me raise their hands in surrender but the glint in their eyes tells a whole different story.
Despite my best efforts, I struggle to keep my eyes to myself for the next few minutes. It's as if they have a mind of their own, constantly drawn back to her. My gaze slides across the room. I watch intently as she lifts the glass of water to her lips, her attention fixed on her phone.
It's infuriating how I can't seem to tear my eyes away from her. I don't know how long I've been blatantly staring— a few seconds, a minute, an hour? — until Taylor's hand waving in front of my face snaps me back to reality. His smug grin only adds to my irritation as I swat his hand away, shooting him a warning glare.
What the hell am I doing?
I force my attention back to the tablet, attempting to immerse myself in the document I had left off on earlier. Yet, despite my efforts, the words on the screen blur together as my mind refuses to cooperate.
With a frustrated sigh, I give up and the conversation of the two players at my table infiltrates my thoughts. Their remarks about her appearance and their desire to have been in my spot grate on my nerves, causing my jaw to clench in annoyance.
These comments don't sit right with me. I don't know why and it's annoying as hell.
One of my friends blows out a low whistle only audible at our table and see their eyes following a tall and slender woman as she struts past our table and straight to the stranger.
Both the women hug and settle back in the booth. And somehow the stranger who had attracted all my attention from the moment she fell into my lap is now sitting in a direction from where I only see the back of her head and slight glances of her side profile.
She changed seats. Her decision to change seats sparks an irrational urge within me—to stride over and insist she reclaim her original spot. The absurdity of this impulse catches me off guard, yet its allure is undeniable. My mind becomes fixated on the prospect of observing her reactions, her expressions evolving as she chats with her friend, all the while unaware of my intense gaze fixed upon the back of her head.
I come out of my thoughts as I hear ''You're on!'' and see Taylor sliding out of the booth followed by Liam.
Confused, I glance at them. He winks at me and nods towards the table —I'd been not so discreetly eyeing moments earlier— leaving me momentarily stunned. With no further explanation, they make their way to the booth. Leaving me with an unexplainable feeling growing inside of me.
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