My phone buzzed again that night, the screen glowing against the dim light of our small living room. Nia raised a brow at me, tossing another chip into her mouth.
"Your phone again," she said with a knowing smirk.
I didn't even reach for it. "No, it's not mine. Nobody texts me anymore."
But she grabbed it before I could stop her, and the way her face froze told me everything.
"Oh my God," she whispered. "It's him."
My stomach twisted. I snatched the phone from her hands.
Adrian: Hi baby girl, you stood me up two weeks ago, and you didn't even bother apologizing or checking on me. I realize you don't even like me at all. Guess I'm ugly after all.
I bit my lip so hard it hurt. Baby girl. My heart fluttered at the words even though the message stung. He was right. I had stood him up.
Nia leaned closer. "So? What are you waiting for? Text him back!"
But my fingers froze over the keyboard. What did I even say? Sorry? Excuses?
Finally, I typed:
Me: No, it's not like that. I just don't like going out much.
His reply came fast, almost too fast.
Adrian: You should have told me. I was waiting for you. I booked a nice restaurant, and you just… didn't show. It wasn't nice, Serena.
A lump formed in my throat. He had waited for me. And I had left him there, alone.
Me: I know. I'm sorry. I really don't like going out much.
I paused. Then added:
Me: Please don't stop talking to me. I really want to be your friend. I deleted it before I could send it. Oh God my head keeps messing with me.
Adrian: God, I miss talking to you. Two weeks without your voice hasn't been fun at all.
Something in me cracked. I missed him too, though I wouldn't admit it out loud.
"Oh my God, you miss him too," a voice whispered.
I jerked, looking around the room. "Stop it, Nia."
Nia blinked at me, startled. "I didn't say anything."
Heat rushed to my face. Great. Now I was arguing with my own mind.
"Whatever," I muttered. "I need to get back to what I was doing. I'll give you details later."
She shook her head, amused. "You're so gone for this guy, Serena."
I ignored her and turned back to my phone.
That night, Adrian and I slipped back into conversation like nothing had happened. We joked. We teased. He asked about my day. I asked about him. Part of me wanted to stay guarded, but another part, an annoyingly loud part craved his attention.
The next evening, my phone buzzed again.
Adrian: I'm around. I know if I ask you to come over, you won't. So, why don't I come check up on you later?
My pulse jumped.
Me: I hope you know I don't stay alone. I live with my friend. We don't really bring guys over. Boundaries.
Adrian: That's fine. We can just sit outside in my car. No pressure.
By 9 p.m., his headlights glowed outside our apartment. I almost didn't believe it was real until I stepped out and saw him leaning against his car, casual but sharp, dressed in dark jeans and a crisp shirt that clung to his frame just enough to make my thoughts run wild.
Nia tagged along, eyeing him curiously.
"Adrian," I said, motioning. "This is Nia. The friend I always talk about."
She smiled politely, giving me a subtle nudge before heading back inside.
When she was gone, I finally looked at him properly. His cologne reached me first warm, musky, almost intoxicating.
"You look… good," I admitted softly. "And you smell nice."
He smirked. "Thank you. I needed that."
We climbed into his car, the hum of quiet music filling the space. My heart pounded so hard I hugged myself, trying to calm down.
He glanced at me, eyes playful. "Your lips are wet again."
I gasped, covering my mouth. "Stop saying that!"
But inside, my mind screamed louder: Why does he look so sexy tonight? God, I feel like devouring him.
"Serena?" he asked, confused. "You talking to me?"
I snapped back to reality. "No, no. Sorry. Just… talking to myself."
His laugh was soft, but it made me blush harder.
Finally, I took a deep breath. "I'm sorry about the other day. For standing you up."
He shrugged. "Let's just forget it. No use dragging it out."
Relief washed over me. We slipped into an easy rhythm again until he turned to me, suddenly serious.
"Serena, can I ask you something?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you in a relationship?"
The question caught me off guard. "No."
"Me neither," he said, leaning closer. "So why don't we just… be cool friends?"
I frowned. "We're already friends. And we're cool."
He shook his head. "Not that kind. I mean… you give me what I want, and I'll be there for you whenever you need me. Financially, emotionally, anything. A no-strings thing."
My eyes widened. "Are you saying… friends with benefits?"
He smirked. "Something like that. I call it being cool friends."
The word tangled in my chest. My first instinct was to slap him, to storm off. But another part of me, darker, curious whispered: At least it's not love. You won't fall. You won't break again.
"Cool friend, huh?" I whispered. "I could… try it with you. I guess it's nice."
His eyes gleamed. Slowly, he reached for my hand, his thumb brushing against my skin. And instead of pulling back, I let him.
My lips betrayed me, wet again, aching.
He leaned closer. His breath touched my cheek. He was going to kiss me.
"No." I jerked back. "You should go. It's getting late."
He blinked, surprised. "Why are you asking me to go? I thought you accepted the cool friend thing."
"I did," I said firmly. "But that doesn't mean you can treat me like I'm easy."
His eyes softened. "Serena, I don't think you're easy."
Just then, his phone lit up on the console. A message. One word.
Baby.
My stomach dropped. I didn't even need to open it.
"I guess you really have to go now," I whispered.
He frowned. "What? Why?"
But I was already opening the door, stepping out into the night.
By the time I reached inside, Nia was waiting.
Her eyes widened at my expression. "What happened?"
I swallowed hard, my chest burning. "You won't believe what just happened."