Chapter 63 - On to Something

I woke up on the couch with a stiff neck. My back ached from sleeping there all night, but I didn’t complain. I managed to convince Stephanie to use my bed, and it only felt right to let her rest there alone.

The apartment was quiet. For a while, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, wondering if she was awake. Eventually, I stood and walked to my bedroom door. I knocked. No response. I knocked again, louder this time. Still nothing.

I hesitated, then pushed the door open.

Stephanie was still asleep. Her body curled into the sheets, her hair falling over her face. Part of the blanket had slipped, leaving one side of her body and breast exposed. 

My eyes lingered longer than they should have, something pulling at me, but I quickly looked away. She didn’t need that kind of attention from me. Not now. Not ever.

I closed the door gently behind me and headed for the shower.

The cold water woke me up fully. I tried not to think about what I’d just seen, tried not to think about how complicated this whole thing was or could get.

By the time I came out, towel over my shoulders, Stephanie was already up. She sat on the edge of the bed, her expression softer than I’d ever seen.

“Thanks… for letting me stay,” she said quietly.

I shrugged, grabbing a shirt from the drawer. “It’s nothing. Just take care of yourself, alright?”

Her lips parted as if she wanted to say more, but I didn’t give her the chance. I pointed toward the kitchen. “There’s food in the fridge. Don’t go out. Stay in until I’m back.”

She nodded. “Okay.”

That was enough for me. I left for work.

********

Our office was its usual chaos. Phones ringing, papers piling up, people walking around like they were doing things that actually mattered. Marcus spotted me the moment I walked in.

“How’s Stephanie? She good?”

“She’s fine,” I answered simply, loosening my tie. “Resting.”

Marcus studied me, as if waiting for more. I gave him nothing, just headed to my office.

Later, my phone buzzed. Maria’s name flashed on the screen.

I leaned back in my chair before answering. “Hey.”

Her voice came soft, familiar. We talked about nothing important at first, little things, day-to-day stuff. I didn’t mind. Hearing her voice was enough.

Then I asked, “So why’d you really call?”

There was a pause. “I’m looking for a good spot for the bar,” she said. “Thought you might have ideas.”

I smiled faintly to myself. That wasn’t the whole reason. I could feel it.

“I might have a place in mind,” I said. “How about I take you there? We could check it out together.”

She didn’t hesitate long. “That sounds good.”

We hung up, and I sat there for a moment, the phone still in my hand. I told myself this was about helping her, about the bar. But deep down, I knew better.

I wanted more time with Maria just like I believe she wanted more time with me. And maybe this was how I’d get it.

I was about to head out when Marcus walked in and dropped the news.

“There’s a meeting. You’ll have to join.”

I muttered a curse under my breath. Perfect. These meetings always dragged on for hours, and I knew there was no way I could ask Maria to wait.

Reluctantly, I pulled out my phone and dialed her number. When she answered, I tried to keep my tone light.

“Maria, I’m sorry. Something came up. I won’t be able to make it.”

There was a pause on the other end. Even through the silence, I could sense the disappointment in her voice when she finally spoke.

“It’s fine,” she said quietly.

I hated that tone. So, I teased, my voice dipping into something more playful than I intended.

“Don’t sound too heartbroken. We’ll still see each other. Maybe next time, I’ll even buy you a drink. You know, as an apology.”

I wasn’t sure how she’d take it, if she’d laugh or brush it off, but she chuckled softly.

“We can meet some other time. Besides, I planned to head somewhere first anyway.”

Her words eased me a little, but when the call ended, I sat there with my phone still in hand. She wasn't just looking for bar locations, she also wanted to see me.

The realization of that hit harder than I expected. Maybe… just maybe I might be on to something.