2. Coffee with Friends

Xenia

I watch him walk away while I stand there confused. "Demetrius," I repeat aloud in a whisper. I kind of like that name. The way he kissed my hand, it was different. No one had ever done anything like that to me before. Usually, I would find that kind of gesture cheesy, but from him it was just sexy. The way he took up for me and the fact he walked me home and didn’t expect anything also added to my confusion. Was he really just a gentleman? Maybe the bar for men was set so low I didn't know what it was like to be around someone who wasn’t a dick.

It was weird I even let him walk me. I didn’t let just anybody know where I lived, and he was a complete stranger, but there was something about him, something in his eyes that made me think I could trust him. I don’t know. Honestly, in my current state, if he would have tried anything, I would have probably had sex with him just to make me feel better. There was no denying he was really attractive. Way more than just attractive. He was a whole snack. Nothing like getting under a new man to get over an old one. Yeah, right. That never actually works. I sigh thinking about my life situation and turn to walk into my house.

Something is irking me though. He knew my name. I was almost positive I hadn’t given it to him, and I don’t remember Aiden saying it either. I don’t know. Maybe I’m just drunk. I don’t even like to drink that much, but for some reason I let Aiden talk me into going to a bar with him. I should have known better especially with his wandering eyes. That was one of the reasons we broke up. Stupid Aiden.

I strip out of my clothes that now reek of alcohol then climb into bed feeling sorry for myself as a tear falls down my nose to the side of my cheek. Another night alone feeling like nobody cares about me.

* * * * *

The sun peeks through the window screaming at me to wake up. I groan feeling the headache and other hangover symptoms that accompany it. And this is exactly why I don’t drink. Another reminder that Aiden is no good for me. I check the group chat and see some messages from my girls asking how my night was. They knew I was going out with him and of course they want all the details. I message them back saying we should meet at the local coffee shop not wanting to discuss anything over the phone. I don’t want to go back and forth with them. I just want to get it all out, one and done.

I roll over and pop some pain meds after chugging a bottle of water and hop into the shower. After putting on sunscreen and moisturizer on my face, I decide to keep it fresh with no makeup. I throw on a crop tee, sweatpants, and Converses before giving myself a once over. I guess I look okay.

I slither into a booth and sit there for a few minutes when I see my two friends walk by through the window. My heartbeat quickens thinking about telling them what happened. They didn’t like Aiden or want me to be with him, so I have a feeling an “I told you so,” moment is about to take place and I’m dreading it.

“Hey, girl! So tell us how was it,” Brittania questions me wriggling her brows. Jezebel stares at me with a grin on her face, elbows on the table and her chin resting on her hands as if she's so interested. They both sit across from me anxious to hear about my night and I’m feeling irritated now. I wish I hadn’t even told them. I should have known that would have solidified my doom.

“It was how you expected it to be. At first everything was fine, but a couple drinks in and I walk out from the bathroom to find some whore all over him. Of course he says she was just drunk and he didn't do anything, but he had his freaking hand basically on her ass and she was whispering in his ear. I guess he thought I was drunk too, and he would just be able to talk his way out of it, but I'm done with him. He wasted my time once again. I hate him.” I’m barely able to get the last part out as I’m starting to get emotional thinking about how much he's hurt me. Brittania jumps out of her seat squeezing into my side of the booth embracing me.

“Don’t you dare cry over that asshole! You are too good for him, Xee.” I know I am, but still... it hurts.

“Yeah, seriously, fuck him.” Jezebel chimes in, but her words don’t sound as sincere.

I don’t have time to ponder it much because suddenly I hear the door open, and my eyes widen at the sight before me. My heart skips a beat as I see Demetrius walking in. We were sitting in the corner in the back so I’m not sure that he notices us, but I can’t take my eyes off him as he walks up smoothly to the counter picking up his order. I know I shouldn’t be thinking about another guy so soon, but damn, he looks good. He’s wearing jogger pants and a tight t-shirt that’s clearly damp from sweat. With his physique, there's no question he was working out or something. I can see his bulging arms and chest in the tight tee, something that wasn't as visible last night. His dark wavy hair is tousled and messy, but that only adds to the appeal. Just when I think he’s about to walk off, he turns his gaze to my table, and I immediately look down as my cheeks start to blush.

Jezebel turns around following my eyes. “Damn, who is that?” She asks with a smirk.

“I don’t know, but he’s coming our way.” Brittania adds and my heartbeat picks up again. I hadn’t been able to tell them about my interaction with him, and I wasn’t planning on it. I wasn’t expecting to see him again, but why am I so worked up? Now I’m regretting coming out without an ounce of makeup on looking as if I don’t care about my appearance at all.

My head tilts up automatically as I hear him approaching and I force myself to play it cool even though my heart’s beating out of my chest for some reason.

“Xenia, how lovely to see you again,” he smirks and even though my cheeks flush, something about his words calm me down. It’s like no one else is in the room but me and him.

“You too,” I reply as I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. His eyes follow my movement. “What are you having?” I ask nodding to his cup.

“My usual, a quad latte.” He takes a sip, and my eyes go to his Adams apple when he swallows. I feel Jezebel staring at me and I look to see her giving me a look that says, ‘introduce us.’

“Oh, sorry. These are my friends, Brittania and Jezebel. Guys, this is Demetrius. He basically saved me from Aiden last night.”

“Oh, really? How so?” Jezebel asks looking up to him flirtatiously. I roll my eyes feeling a bit territorial. This girl wants everyone. I feel a little bad for thinking that way. It’s not like I have dibs on Demetrius or anything. In fact, I’m done with men. Maybe I should set them up together just to prove a point. But just thinking about that made my stomach tighten.

Demetrius nods smugly as if he’s proud of his actions before the waitress comes up to take our order.

“Well, I must take my leave. It was nice to meet you ladies. And Xenia, always a pleasure to see you.” He turns to the waitress putting a hand on his shoulder as he speaks to her. “Steph, put their order on my tab, please.” My eyes widen and he turns away without another word.

We order coffee and breakfast and as soon as Stephanie walks away the girls flood me with questions.

“Um, hello. Leave a bit of the story out from last night?” Jezebel asks and I smile looking into my cup of coffee.

“Yeah. I guess I hadn’t gotten to that part yet.”

“Okay. So, what the hell happened? You said he saved you. What did he do?” Brittania asks curiously and I sigh. I guess there’s no keeping it from them now, so I tell them about what happened leaving nothing out.

“Xee, you’re dangerous. How could you let a stranger walk you home? Even if he is a freaking hot one,” Brittania asks worriedly, and I know she's right.

“I know. I know. I just had a good feeling about him. Plus, he was no more dangerous than Aiden in that moment. I don’t know what his problem was. Anyways, it doesn’t matter. I’m done with Aiden, and Demetrius is no one to me, just a cute stranger that I probably won't ever see again.” Saying the words didn’t even sound right, but I couldn’t just come out and say I was crushing on some random guy. This town wasn't that small, and even though it was weird running into him two days in a row, the chances of me seeing him again were slim. Honestly, I wasn’t really sure what I was feeling. If I was to analyze myself, I’d say I was just hyper-focusing on someone new. But I tried not to do that to myself. Being a psychology major will have you thinking you’re crazy.

“Well, he doesn’t seem like he’s nothing to you. He barely even looked at us. I think he’s into you, but if you don’t want him…” Jezebel trailed off, but I knew what she was saying.

“Sure, go ahead,” I shrug wanting to sell my disinterest. “He’s all yours.” Her big grin annoys me in that moment, but I push those feelings aside. I shouldn’t be jealous of my friend.

We eat our food and finish our coffee before parting ways. Today was day one. Day one of me officially cutting Aiden off, day one of me starting over, and day one of no men. I would at least give myself a month or something. Start small.

But the whole way back I can’t help but think about Demetrius and how we just happened to run into each other in the way that we had, and also even though I had just sworn off men, how I wanted to see him again.