Chapter Two

The smell of bacon and coffee wafted through the air and my stomach grumbled. Hunger pangs. 

Steve waved at me from the counter with a big smile. He was a worker at the Sunrise cafe I frequented most times, probably has been even before I came to this school.

When I first stepped foot into Oustanding heights college, he was the first friend I ever had. It surprised me that he became friends with me. He was so handsome with his intimidating dark looks, dark short hair done in spikes and athletic build in contrast to my lower than average look. Yummy? No, I think Berth understated. He was more. Our love for sports was actually our first talk which grew to friendship. I was into Soccer and track sports while he was basically a basketball player.

I always felt guys like him rolled with super hot girls with sexy looks— slim and straight long legs, perky breasts and super hot curves, and not a plain old me. I was too curvy, you could even say fat. Most girls who visited this place always flirted with him and it annoyed me. Berth was right. Truth be told, I came here so much because of him since I wished we wouldn't just be friends. It was still early so the place was almost empty and I was super psyched their claws were off him for now. 

He was fixing espresso for the customer that was there before me and I couldn't help but imagine what those lips smiling that customer-friendly smile would actually feel like on mine. Would they taste as good as they looked? Shaking my head slightly I forced my mind out of the gutters just in time as he placed a paper bag and a plastic cup on the counter which the customer took and left the cafe. Moving forward as it was my turn next, I noticed a look pass in his eyes as they landed on me but as quickly as it came, it vanished so I couldn't quite explain what it was.

"If it isn't little miss sunshine." he said beaming at me.

"Good morning Steve." I smiled back

"You're quite early today I must say. What can I get ya?" he asked with that sexy drawl of his that I had come to enjoy listening to. I opened my mouth to reply but he cut me off. "Don't tell me. The usual." 

"Yes please. Morning Stacy." I greeted his colleague. She was at the other side of the counter, smiling, and writing down something on her notepad. 

"Morning Nadia. Trust you had a good night's rest?" she asked still not taking her eyes from her notepad. She was still smiling. 

…I never see her frown…

"Yes, I did, thank you." I replied smiling back. I waited for my order while Steve fixed it for me. I couldn't help but follow his every move with my eyes. With his tanned skin, one - sided dimple when he smiled and even talked, his muscular build topped with a firm ass, he was so dangerously handsome. He wore an apron over khaki shorts and black short-sleeved t-shirt that covered little of his tattoo. His muscled arms were covered in ink making him look exactly like the guys my dad would sternly tell me to stay away from. His confident strides as he rummaged through the tiny kitchen to fix my order was a view to look at. 

"Here you go." He placed my order of coffee and French toast topped with bacon, banana and maple syrup in a tray before me and I placed my bill on the counter. He pushed it back to me. "It's on me."

"Really?" 

"Of course. We are friends, remember? That's what we do. Go on. I'll be right there."

Moving away from the counter with my tray I walked over to my seat at a corner close to the glass wall of the cafe. I always called it my seat because funny enough anytime I came here, it was always empty. It felt like it was meant for me.

I brought out my books and laptop and put on my headphone to study a bit as I enjoyed my breakfast. I was so engrossed in what I was doing I didn't know when Steve refilled my almost empty cup of coffee and sat on the seat beside mine, watching me, until he tapped me.

Startled a bit, I relaxed when I saw who it was. "Oh. Steve. Thanks." I smiled sweetly at him indicating with a tap at my refilled cup. Putting down my headphone, I took a sip of my coffee. I saw through the rim of the cup that he was still there watching me, studying me with an intense look and a slight smile tugging his lips. I actually became more aware of my looks. First time I ever tried make up, did I not do it right? Did it actually look weird on me? Or is it the dress? I loved the dress and whenever I wore it, it made me feel good. Was my taste that bad that I didn't know it wasn't actually fitting on me? Nonsense! My dad bought the dress for me and actually loved it on me. 

So I cleared my throat and asked. "Is there anything on my face? Do I have food stains on my face or do I look so beautiful you can't take your eyes off me?" I teased wryly.

He continued staring at me. Strange. I took a huge bite into my food to concentrate on something other than his eyes. "Are you sure it's okay to sit here? Your boss might get mad at you." 

"Not to worry, He is always mad." I stared at him confused. "Don't worry. There aren't a lot of customers anyway and Stacy is there too. So… what's new?" he asked wiggling his eyebrows and breaking the somewhat uncomfortable silence.

I closed my book and laptop because there was no need to deceive myself. I know what Steve was trying to do. He always complained my nose was always stuck in books, reading. I never 'test the waves' as he called it. He won't let me study, not while he was here. 

"Nothing much. Just school work that's all."

"Oh. So no guy sweeping you off your feet yet?" he winked

I laughed and it made him blink repeatedly. At the moment, dating was the last thing on my mind. Okay. It wasn't the last thing on my mind. It was the second. The first was one person, the second was dating that one person but there was just one problem. 

"I seem to chase them off because I always looked down at books instead of them and my looks. I've come to figure out guys don't like smart girls after all."

…Like you…

"Nonsense. That's not true. I like smart girls."

…Then its just me…

"You are different." I teased. 

He laughed. "Are you trying to say I'm not a guy? Because if you are, I can show you the hard facts." he teased with a smirk. 

"Ewww… That's not what I'm saying. Of course you are. It's just you are… you know… Steve." I bit back a smile as I tucked an errant hair behind my ear which still escaped again. 

"Believe me I don't understand what you just said but one thing I know is, you are a beautiful and intelligent woman and any guy would be so lucky to have you. Beauty without brains is my major turnoff. That I'm sure of." he tucked the errant hair which doesn't stay no matter how I tried, behind my ear. His fingers lingered a bit on my cheeks as he locked eyes with mine, staring into my soul. 

A warm feeling spread through my stomach. I looked away, which made him drop his hand. I wasn't surprised about the fact that I felt the loss of his hands on my face. 

Clearing his throat, he stood up. "Well little miss sunshine. I'm going to go now before he strangles me with his eyes." he grinned and gestured with his head for me to see who he was talking about. I laughed out really loud when I saw his boss's wait-till-i-get-my-hands-on-you look at the open office door facing me. 

…If eyes could kill…

"You should really laugh always. It brightens the room." My laughter died down and I looked up at him. He was giving me that look again and this time I looked too. Unable to tear my gaze. He was standing really close to me, leaning down slowly and I really thought he was going to kiss me. Huge goosebumps erupted on my skin as shivers raced down my spine. 

…What if he does? I've never kissed anyone before…

"I'll…uhm…see you around then sunshine." he said suddenly and winked at me before he darted towards his duty post.

…What the…?

I ate my breakfast in a hurry, packed my stuff and practically ran out. I didn't want to see him because he might see what I was feeling inside; disappointment, huge ball of it.

As much as I wanted to deny it, the friendship zone was not what I wanted anymore. I was almost falling down a cliff, in love with him and if he had kissed me then, God forgive me I would have let him have his wicked ways with me regardless of where we were. 

Did he find me attractive now or was I mistaking what just happened now? Didn't I see hunger in his eyes? With Steve, one couldn't be so sure. 

Heaving a long sigh, I glanced at my watch. There was still a little time left. My school wasn't far from here anyway. I'll make it even before most people. Adjusting my shoulder bag, I walked to Outstanding Heights college.