Laura

 

 

 

He doesn’t appear to be the least bit surprised when I call him with my answer. It takes twenty-three hours and fifteen minutes after our coffee date for me to finally find the courage to make the call. I didn’t have to work today, and spent all day dwelling over this decision.

I couldn’t consult Layla, even if I wanted to. She doesn’t even know that Ryan Hawkins gave me his card let alone that I met him for coffee yesterday. I know I will have to tell her something, because I won’t be able to keep the money a secret. But that will be future-Laura’s problem.

Luckily, Layla’s not home when I pick up the phone to call him. I didn’t prepare anything to tell him, nothing but “yes.” He was right. His proposal is attractive to me in many regards, more than I’m comfortable to admit. I know all of this would be an entirely different story if he wasn’t so handsome, if his eyes didn’t unsettle me the way they do, if his touch hadn’t felt so soothing and electrifying at the same time.

I never thought I’d be the kind of a girl to have a one-night stand, but as it turns out, I can be under the right circumstances.

I’m about to leave town to start over, he doesn’t want more than one night, and he’s offering to compensate me in a big way for something I’d most likely do anyway if given the chance.

Mr. Hawkins has been haunting my thoughts since the moment I met him, and it’s only gotten worse since we met for coffee yesterday.

He asks to see me tomorrow evening, for dinner.

“This soon?” I reply, a little shock settling in my chest.

“Yes, tomorrow night at seven o‘clock,” he says. “I’ll pick you up.”

“That won’t be necessary, I can –”

“Seven o‘clock sharp,” he interrupts me. “I’ve got your address.”

With that, he hangs up, leaving me dumbfounded.

Tomorrow evening. That’s so soon. And I have to work tomorrow. He never even asked if I’m free or not; he just expects me to be ready for him.

He claims me, just like that.

And I can’t help it, but I like it.

No man has ever wanted me like this before. I know I attract stares from a lot of guys, mostly because of my height and the fact that my boobs aren’t easy to hide, but I’ve never been approached by someone like him. After all, I’m just a destitute waitress serving drinks to the rich and famous.

A wave of embarrassment travels through me as I realize I have nothing to wear for him. I don’t own any fancy dresses, expensive jewelry, or shoes suitable for being seen with a man like him. I know what he’s used to, and I know where people like him go out to wine and dine and how they dress for the occasion.

“Fuck,” I hiss, as I dart over to my closet, frantically searching through my cheap and limited wardrobe in hopes of finding anything that could pass off as a halfway decent outfit for a dinner reservation with Mr. Moneybags.

I’m not left with a lot of choices, ending up with a sheer white blouse that I bought for a job once, matched with the black pencil skirt I wore the night we first met. The skirt caught his eyes once before, so I’m hoping he’ll appreciate the effort.

Canceling out on work didn’t come easy to me. I’ve never done it before because I can’t afford to. I’m paid by the hour and need every cent I can get. This man is associated with a lot of firsts for me. I also had to lie to Layla, another thing I’ve never done before. I told her the same thing I told Angelo: I wasn’t feeling well and needed some rest. I still don’t know how I’m going to explain all of this to her in the end, but I’m pushing the thought as far away as possible for now.

It’s another problem for future-Laura to deal with.

Layla was quick to jump in to take my shift, since she needs money just as much as I do, so she’s not home by the time I’m getting ready for my date with Mr. Ryan Hawkins.

I’m too nervous to wait for him to ring the doorbell, so I decide to wait downstairs in front of the house. I adjust my hair and outfit one more time before hurrying out the door as if I was being chased. I’m early, there’s no need to hurry, but my heart is racing so fiercely that I can’t relax.

I should have downed a shot or something. We always have liquor at home, something cheap and multipurpose that can be mixed with soda, perfect for pre-game drinking and a lot cheaper than drinking at a bar.

Why did I not think of it before leaving the apartment? Then again, he probably wouldn’t be too happy to pick me up reeking of alcohol.

There’s not much time for me to drive myself crazy any longer. Just a few moments after I’ve stepped outside, a black car, a limousine as far as I can tell, drives up in front of the house. I remain glued to the spot, watching as the door to the backseat opens and Mr. Hawkins steps out, looking so magnificent that I want to die of shame in light of my cheap-looking get-up.

He’s wearing a dark gray suit, tailor-fitted and upscale, just like everything else I’ve seen him wear so far. His black hair is not gelled to the side today, but appears somewhat tousled and messy in comparison, giving him a boyish charm. A dimple appears on his left cheek as he casts me a mischievous smile.

I hold my breath when he comes to a halt in front of me, drawing in so closely that I can feel the warmth of his body. He lifts his finger up to my chin and tilts my head back so I’m forced to meet his piercing blue eyes.

I feel close to fainting.

“We haven’t started yet,” he whispers. “But I’m sure you don’t mind if I forget about the paperwork for a minute.”

Before I can ask what he’s talking about, he steals my breath away with a kiss.

A kiss that changes everything.