THIRTY SEVEN After Dakota

Shantel let out an annoying groan upon hearing the ring. She shot Luke's name on the caller ID, a scowl, reluctant to get off my desk. Her hands that were wrapped around my neck were still tangled like poisonous snakes.

"I have to take that, bellissima!" I told her, my voice was clothed with sweetness, something I hadn't used to her for a long time. Yet, she insisted on staying this way, like a sloth hanging tightly on a tree branch. My phone's ringing non-stop, which only meant one thing. The call was very important. "Bellissima, why not get me a cup of coffee for a while? You know how much I like the way you make my coffee!" giving her a light kiss on her cheek if this still wouldn't work, boy, I might as well just forget I was just feigning and push her to the floor.

"But tesoro mio!" she even swayed her shoulders while pouting her lips, acting cute but not even close to someone I knew. Shantel was always the serious business-type woman. Playing sweet and adorable didn't suit he