Chapter 2

I sat at my desk reviewing some work. It’s been six years since I moved to New York, and I’m still only an assistant. My novel is nowhere near finished, at least. However, my best friend and boss, Jesse Owens, have read my drafts, and he loves them! I only wish I thought it was half as good as he says it is. “Sophia, can you come here, please?” I hear Jesse call. I got up and walked over to his office, 

“Yes?” I said; he motioned for me to have a seat, then turned his attention to me, 

“How’s the book?” He asked; I smiled and gave him a look,

“Jess, is there anything important you need from me?” I asked, making sure to emphasize the important things. He smiled, cupped his hands, and leaned forward, 

“Yes,” he replied. I sat up as I waited to hear what he needed me to do, “I need to know about the book!” I mentally slapped myself in the face. How did I not see that one coming, I asked myself; sighing, I pulled out my phone and emailed him the latest draft. When his computer dinged, he turned to it. 

“Anything else?” I asked him; Jesse shook his head and then shooed me away. I laughed a bit as I headed back to my desk. 

After work, I picked up dinner and then walked home. The busy streets were packed even more because of the evening traffic. Since I only live a few blocks away, I walk to work and change my shoes when I get there. Truth be told, almost everyone walks to work. We only drive when we have to. For me, that’s when it rains. 

Once I got into my apartment, I set my things down and went straight for the shower. The feeling of the water trickled down my body, over my breasts as the steam rose up, engulfing me completely. I washed my hair and then my body; for a moment, I felt good. As long as I stood right here, I wouldn’t have to return home this year. For the past six years, Mom has stayed with me over Christmas, but she put her foot down this year. 

I got dressed and threw my hair up in my towel. I situated my food before heading to the couch to watch a movie and write. I sipped my wine as I watched my show; I love watching Bones! The characters are incredible, and the story is heartwarming. I’m glad I have a strong stomach, or else I wouldn’t be able to eat and watch the show. My phone rang, so I picked it up, “Hello?” I answered, 

“Hey, Snowflake!” I rolled my eyes at my mother’s nickname for me during December, 

“Hi, Mom,” I say, “what’s up?” 

“When are you coming home?” She asked, “I want to have your bedroom straightened up and have some towels set out for you!” I smiled, 

“Not sure yet.” I answered, “I need to see how much time I can have off, but what I will be able to do is work from my laptop while I’m there.” Mom squealed, bursting my eardrum,

“That sounds great!” She beamed, “I’ll plan for you to be here by the end of the week.” I sighed, 

“Okay, Mom.” I said, “I’m eating dinner right now, so I’ll talk to you later. Love you.”

“I love you too, Snowflake.” She told me, and then I hung up. No getting out of it now, I thought.

I took my dishes to the kitchen and washed them before pouring another glass and wine and sitting down with my computer. I’ve been working on my third draft for three months, and still, the ending doesn’t work. “And they flew off into the sunset and lived free forever,” I repeated the line and thought about it for a moment, sipping my wine again. Something about the ending didn’t sit right with me. Why? What could be better than that? Feeling frustrated, I walked away from the computer. I was throwing my cheap laptops as a kid, then turning around with my babysitting money and buying a new one. 

Needless to say, I would go through three, sometimes four, per year. Mom finally had to set me down and work with me about getting up and walking away from the situation. So, I didn’t have to buy a new computer. I drank some more of my wine before going back to the computer. I then remembered something my English teacher told me once after reading one of my short stories, ‘The problem can sometimes be further back.’ And with that, I began rereading the whole manuscript. 

The buzzing of my alarm stirred me awake. I got up and did my routine before heading out to work. I threw on my sneakers and packed some gym clothes for later this evening. I walked into a little cafe and waited in line. When it was my turn, the barista smiled at me, “What can I get you, beautiful?” I felt my cheeks flush red before saying, 

“A large caramel macchiato with extra caramel and a large mocha Frappuccino,” I replied; his smile grew wider,

“What’s the name?” 

“Sophia on the macchiato, Jesse on the frap,” I answered. He wrote the names on the cups and then sent them down the line, “How much do I-” 

“It’s on me.” I bit my lip a bit and smiled,

“Thank you.” I stepped out of line and waited for the coffee. When they were ready, the same guy wrote something on one of the cups,

“Pick up for Sophia.” He announced; I walked over to him and took the cups, “Have a great day.” I winked at him before saying, 

“You too.” And I walked out the door. 

When I got to the office, I took Jesse’s coffee to him. “Good morning,” I told him as I handed him one of the cups, 

“You’re awfully chipper this morning,” Jesse stated. He asked, trying to investigate my good mood. I shook my head with a smile, “Did you figure out your book?”

“Somewhat,” I answered, “I’m rereading it to see what I missed that’s making the ending feel so weird.” He nodded; I turned to walk away, 

“Who’s Blake?” Jesse asked; I stopped dead in my tracks and looked at the cup of coffee. The name on it was ‘Jesse,’ I had given him the wrong cup! I walked over, and we swapped cups. As I tried to get out of the office as fast as possible, he said, “You didn’t answer my question.” I sighed, knowing I’d been defeated, and turned back around, 

“He’s the barista at the coffee shop.” Jesse leaned forward with a smirk plastered on his face, 

“And?” I rolled my eyes, placing my hand on my hip,

“And nothing. He flirted with me; I may have flirted back then I left.” I told him. Jesse groaned, 

“You’re no fun.” He stated as he crossed his arms over his chest. 

“Sorry, but that’s all you’re getting.” I teased as I headed for the door,

“Are you at least going to call him?” Jesse shouted after me; I ignored him as I sat at my desk, sipped my coffee, and started work. 

I sat there for a while as I worked on an edit for a client before sending it to Jesse. I looked at my coffee. The barista’s name, Blake, and his phone number sat right under my name on the cup with a bit of heart about the I in my name. I smiled at how adorable that was. Sighing, I took out my phone and put the number in my phone and texted him; within two minutes, my phone started ringing. I didn’t know what to do, so I answered, “Hello?” I said, then the deep voice of Blake, smiling even though I couldn’t see it,

“Hi, is this Sophia?” I giggled,

“It is.” He sighed with relief,

“Oh, thank God. I was worried that you had tossed the cup, and someone else found it.” I giggled, 

“I see.” I said, “Well, you’ll be happy knowing I did not do that.” He laughed,

“Yeah.” He replied, “So, I know this is sudden, but what are you doing later tonight?” I was shocked by his question but decided to tell the truth. 

“I’m planning to head to the gym to get a run-in after work. Why?” I heard his voice get high before he cleared it,

“I was wondering if you were free for dinner tonight.” I blushed as I tried to think. I didn’t bring any date clothes with me, 

“Sure, but nothing fancy; I didn’t bring any spare clothes.” He chuckled a bit, 

“Yeah, I know this great place with the best tacos.” 

“That sounds great!” I told him, “Text me the address, and I’ll meet you there.” 

“Okay, I’ll see you around six?” 

“That’s fine.” I said, “I need to get back to work, so I’ll see you tonight?” 

“Okay, see you tonight.” And with that, I hung up the phone and tried to work, but I was too excited to work! 

As soon as I was off the clock, I ran to the bathroom to change. I put on black leggings, a white crop top, and red and black flannel. I braided my hair and touched my makeup best before ensuring I looked alright. I grabbed my bag, bolted for the door, and went toward the address. The second I got there, I saw a sign that read, ‘The Taco Brothers’. I saw Blake sitting at one of the tables, “Hey.” I said; he looked up from his phone and smiled at me,

“Hey!” He said as he walked over to me and kissed my cheek, “I’m glad you could make it.” I smiled, 

“Me too,” I said. We ordered our food, sat at one of the tables, and talked. More like he talked. I smiled and tried to enjoy myself, but I knew that this would be the only date with this guy that I go on. 

Hours passed as Blake walked me home, which was sweet. He’s sweet but way too full of himself. When we were almost to my building, I stopped at the steps of another one. “Well, this is me,” I told him, 

“Oh, okay.” He said. He stood there, waiting for me to invite him in, which I definitely wasn’t going to do. 

“I had a nice time.” I lied; he smiled,

“I’m glad! Maybe we could do it again sometime?” I cringed a bit, which he overlooked, 

“I’ll call you,” I told him, trying not to let this go further. He kissed me on the cheek and started walking away, and I pretended to go towards the door to the building. When I saw he was gone, I made a run for my building and hurried inside before he could have the chance to see me. I sighed; relief washed over me as I locked my door. Why do I keep attracting jerks? They either talk about themself too much and hardly ask anything about me, use me for sex, or even cheat on me. Why can’t I find a regular guy?

Pulling out my phone, I went straight to his number and was about to text him when I got a message from Jesse saying to block Blake. He sent me a picture of Blake with his arm around a girl; I looked at the time stamp. It was last night. The jerk had a girlfriend and tried cheating on her with me! I sent Blake the photo and told him never to contact me again, or I’d message his girlfriend. 

Once again, within two minutes, he tried calling me. Jesse sent me another picture of him kissing the girl, fueling the burning flame. I sent the photo to Blake but didn’t hear a word afterward. I screenshotted the messages between him and me and proceeded to find the girl on F******k. Seeing her, I sent her the messages and told her about her boyfriend. After that, I blocked Blake. I sighed and went to pour myself a double shot of Crown Royal; I was going to need it.