Before I wake

I woke up to the sun shining in my eyes and illuminating pretty gold stripes over my brown skin through the blinds. Mornings weren usually my favorite, but I had a feeling that today was going to be great. I started my day off with a long hot shower before fixing myself a stack of blueberry pancakes and black coffee for breakfast.

Two days have passed since Ive been over at Leahs house only because shes been so busy with college and Ive been busy decorating and job hunting. My rent was paid off for the next month, but I know how fast the days seem to pass in a blur when you
e not paying it any mind, so I needed a job and fast.

I got comfortable on the couch and turned on Family Guy to keep me entertained while I ate my food.

My apartment was starting to come together after I deep-cleaned the entire thing and unpacked all of my stuff. Well, everything except for my art supplies in my second bedroom.

I know, Im insane for paying double the rent just to have an extra room for my supplies alone, but I just have so much that theres no way it was fitting in my bedroom.

My art is such an important thing in my life. Its one of the many hobbies that I picked up in Virginia that distracted me and I enjoyed doing it. Whenever I had free time I always spent it painting or reading spicy romance books, but mainly painting. I quickly finished up my food and went to start fixing my art room.

Half an hour later and I was done organizing everything to my liking so I fixed my canvas on the stand to start sketching. Most of the time I don even know what Im gonna draw yet, I just let my hands do the work and in the end, it all comes together.

Id been working for about half an hour when there was a knock at my front door. The only people who knew where I lived were Leah, Zane, and the delivery men. Fingers crossed that its the delivery men; I really needed my packages. I dusted my hands off and rushed to the front door. I peeked out of the peephole, and standing on the other side was Ryan.

What the hell?

He dropped me off at my place last night, but he didn come inside the building so how does he know where I live? I stepped back and fixed my clothes before unlocking the door and opening it.

”What are you doing here? ”

His eyes scanned over my body before gazing at my chest for an uncomfortably long time. I glanced down and realized my nipple piercings were visible through my white tank top.

I glared up at him and crossed my arms over my chest. ”Can you stop being a perv long enough to answer my question? ”

He chuckled and leaned against the door frame, ”So, Ive been thinking and I want us to start hanging out again like old times. Theres no reason to act like strangers when we
e anything but. ”

I cocked a brow and turned to let him inside. ”How did you even find my apartment? Don tell me you followed me upstairs without my knowledge. ”

”I went knocking on all the doors. Did you know you had a hot neighbor on the second floor? Tall, blonde, and huge- ” he gestured to his chest and did a squeezing motion.

I gave him a warning glare and he immediately stopped talking.

”Ok, I understand we
e not there yet, sorry. ”

He shut the door behind him and glanced around the half-empty living room. ”Youve been here a few days and it still looks as if you just moved in. ”

”I ordered some things online, itll be here soon. ” I opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water, tossing it to him.

”Thanks. ” He took a sip and placed it on the counter, ”So whatcha been doing all day? Just sitting in your apartment doing nothing? ”

”I was actually in the room drawing before you interrupted me. So what plans do you guys have for us today? ”

”No one else is tagging along, so itll just be me and you. ” He replied. I furrowed my brows and just stared at him in silence. Yeah, we hung out alone since Ive been back, but we were also surrounded by our friends, so not 100% alone. This would be different and…weird? At least for me.

”Ok, I guess we can hang out as long as you leave drinking out of it, I don think I can do that again this week. ”

I went to my room to put on some jean shorts and sneakers, then I met him at the front door to start our day together. I wonder what he had planned for us.

Our first stop was Rubies Smoothies. A new restaurant a few blocks away from my apartment that served brunch and smoothies. We both ordered the three-meat breakfast platter then we found a booth near the windows in the back.

Ryan dropped into the seat beside me and I couldn ignore the jolt of electricity that spread throughout my body when his arm brushed against mine.

”So I don think you ever told me why you decided to come back to New York of all places. Not that Im complaining at all its just I thought that once you left you would be gone forever, ” He placed his arm across the back of my seat, getting comfortable.

”This was the only place I ever felt at home. My friends and family are here- ”

”Im here. ” He cut me off and flashed me a smile.

”If Im being honest you weren even thought about when I decided to move back. ” I chuckled.

His smile dropped as he moved his arm back to his side of the booth, ”Ouch. ”

”I didn mean it in a bad way its just- ” I placed my hand over his large one and he glanced down at it confused. ”Thinking of you hurt, so I learned to shut you out to move on. Thats not a problem anymore. ”

”Well, Id love to be among the other people that consume your brain again. Only good thoughts this time, I promise. ” He pulled my hand to his lips and pressed a kiss against it.

Empty promises.

The waitress came over and placed our food on the table and we thanked her before getting lost in a long conversation about the past and things we missed out on. I was pleased to learn that he was starting to take things in his life more seriously, such as his dreams of becoming a chef. Even when we were younger I always loved his meals, he could make something so simple taste as if it belonged in one of those fancy restaurants. Thats why I made him promise to cook me something someday.

After we were done eating we got back in his truck and made a quick stop at the mall. He swore it was to help me get some extra things for my apartment, but I think he just needed an excuse to do a little shopping for himself.

”You think this looks good on me? ” I turned around to find him holding a yellow sun dress over his body and striking a pose.

”With long legs like those it better look good. ” I raked my eyes over his body and turned back to the clothing rack to continue scanning. By the time we were done getting what we came for it was starting to get late outside, so we picked up some food before we left.

”So…where are we going next? ” I climbed into the passenger seat and buckled up.

”I have somewhere we can go eat unless you
e ready to go home now. ”

I nodded my head, ”So lets go. ”

I watched the sky as he drove for what felt like forever. As the minutes passed by I started to think he was taking me somewhere to kill me and dispose of my body. We were way past any homes and civilians.

The truck finally came to a stop and we both climbed out. I scanned my surroundings carefully when he startled me by grabbing ahold of my hand and led me over to the edge where I could see everything much clearer.

We were pretty high up and down below you could see all of the tiny lights coming from the buildings and the cars driving by on the streets. Such a beautiful sight, especially with the midnight sky and the stars up above. I looked around and began to get inspired.

”Where exactly are we? ” I stepped closer to the edge but was yanked back to his side.

”Watch where you step I don wanna be responsible if you fall to your death. ”

I glanced at him and laughed, ”Calm down, Ryan, Im not gonna jump or anything. ” I pulled him closer to the edge with me and took my phone out to snap a picture of us with the beautiful view.

”I never said thank you for taking me out today. My day wouldve been me stuck inside either drawing or sleeping the day away, it was much better hanging with you. ”

”I should be thanking you for even giving me the time of day. I really missed you. ” he smiled.

We went back to his pickup truck and sat in the back to eat before heading home.