Love at First Stoplight
Loafers
Cami
My steering–what?
I turned to my side to see a man on a motorcycle pointing to his forehead. I brought my hand up to my own and glanced at the rear-view mirror. Indeed, there was a red mark from where I hit the steering wheel.
“Rough day?” he asked, his deep voice immediately catching my attention. I turned my head to take a good look at his face, but only a portion of it was visible from the helmet he had on. Even though this was the case, his striking green eyes stood out. Have I ever seen green eyes as piercing as his?
My eyes briefly trailed down towards his body and holy smokes.
His wide shoulders and muscled arms stood out from the plain black shirt he was wearing. I could see the outline of his well-toned body even in his relaxed posture. His thick thighs and long legs were casually outstretched as he balanced his big bike effortlessly.
“A picture lasts longer, sweetheart,” he said with a smirk and I felt my cheeks heat up.
“I—uh, sorry,” I dropped my head once again on my steering wheel, embarrassed about what just happened. I was openly checking him out! The guy chuckled at my response, and leaned forward on his motorbike. He has got to be doing this on purpose.
“I’m kidding,” I could hear a small chuckle amidst the revving of his bike. “Drive safe,” he finally said as he winked and drove off.
“What the hell just happened?” I muttered, staring at his figure disappearing into the night. I tried not to dwell so much on the embarrassing interaction and went on my way. I stopped by my favorite 24-hour Chinese restaurant and ordered the classics—a warm bowl of wonton soup, dim sums and of course, orange chicken.
But these weren’t enough. I needed my fix, and going to the two men I knew would never hurt me was my utmost priority.
It was a bit dark when I pulled up into an almost empty parking lot. I made sure to roll up the windows and lock the doors. I headed towards the only well-lit building and heard the familiar chimes of doors opening. I was welcomed with a pleasant breeze and I straightaway walked towards my boys.
Ben and Jerry.
Yes, Ben and Jerry, the two guys I know won’t ever hurt me. Okay, maybe my weight will be in question, but that’s beside the point. I was in the middle of grabbing a pint of cookies and cream cheesecake and brownie batter when my phone suddenly rang. Answering it without checking, I placed my phone on my ear while I was busy balancing the tubs of ice cream.
“Hel—”
“WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU RIGHT NOW? YOU BETTER NOT BE IN SOME BAR DRINKING YOUR ASS OFF BECAUSE I SWEAR—” Hugh shouted from the other line.
Wincing at the loudness of Hugh’s voice, I immediately brought my phone away until I heard him calming down.
“Oh my god, Hugh! I’m not at some bar so chill! I’m just buying Ben and Jerry’s, okay?” I explained. I was about to leave the frozen aisle section when I spotted another flavor I couldn’t believe I almost forgot. Chocolate Therapy.
“Hello? Helloooo? Cami, what the fuck, are you still there?” he bombarded, momentarily forgetting that I was still on the line with Hugh. I was kind of preoccupied with my ice cream.
“Yeah, sorry, I was choosing flavors...” I was on my way to the cashier when the doors opened and a tall guy with his helmet on entered.
“No way,” I halted in my steps. He was so tall I could clearly see him without the shelves blocking my view. He took off his helmet and it was the motorcycle guy from earlier.
I knew he was handsome, but finally seeing his face without any obstructions…
“Wow…” I breathed out.
His dirty blonde hair was tousled to perfection even though he just removed his helmet. His chiseled jawline was complemented by his facial hair, rosy lips, straight nose and thick eyebrows. What is this guy? He’s literally a Greek god!
“Cami? I swear to god if you forget me one more time...” Hugh threatened.
“Sorry!! It’s just that this guy I saw earlier is here—” I whispered.
“What guy? Is he hot?” my best friend asked. I rolled my eyes at him but I forgot I was only on my phone.
“Very...” I said unconsciously, staring at the motorcycle guy. Maybe he sensed someone was staring but the moment he turned his head to my direction I instantly took cover.
Wait a minute, why am I hiding?!
“I mean no—yes, ugh, I’ll talk to you later Hugh, okay?” I whispered on the phone, ending the call. I heard the door open and took a quick peek. When I saw he was gone, I dashed towards the cashier, balancing the tubs of ice cream with my hand and chin.
Knowing my weird quirk of wanting something salty then sweet and vice versa, I quickly grabbed some plain salted chips, and placed it on the counter as well. The cashier was a lanky teenager who eyed me and my three tubs of ice cream. I can feel his judgment radiate off of him but I honestly don’t give a damn anymore. Any adult can purchase this much ice cream after midnight. He proceeded to scan the items and placed them in a plastic bag.
I paid for it and mumbled a ‘thanks’. Pushing the doors open I was instantly greeted by the cold wind, but before I could take another step, a familiar deep voice piped in.
“Definitely a rough day”
Startled, I let out a small yelp, almost dropping my precious cargo. I snapped my head towards the voice and it was the same guy I saw from earlier, leaning so nonchalantly on his motorcycle, a can of beer in his right hand.
“You startle so easily. Like a red panda” he said, his mouth quirking up, trying not to laugh.
“I’m glad you find me amusing,” I said, rolling my eyes at him.
“I do, actually,” he said, smirking.
“Excuse me?”
“So, what happened?” he asked, paying no mind to my reaction. He was eyeing my tubs of ice cream and I felt my cheeks getting hotter by the second. Why me?
Instead of answering, I crossed my arms and pointed to his hand.
“I could say the same for you,” I bravely said, raising an eyebrow whilst eyeing his can of beer.
“Touché, sweetheart. Although I think mine wouldn’t compare to yours judging by the number of tubs in that bag,” he said teasingly.
“Irrelevant,” I bit back. “And none of your damn business”
The guy just laughed at me, laughed. Wow, I’m on a roll, I’ve been making a fool out of myself every time I see him.
“You’re feisty, I like you. What’s your name?” he asked straightforwardly.
My eyes widened at his statement and my ability to comprehend his words kind of started buffering after the word ‘liked’. I must have stared too long because he had that smug look on him again.
“Cami,” I answered unsurely. “And you are...?” I trailed.
“You don’t know who I am?” he asked, surprised at my question.
“And I’m supposed to know you because...?”
“You really don’t know who I am?” he asked as he looked lost in thought.
“You know, asking it for the second time won’t make me suddenly recognize you,” I replied.
Should I know this man? He looked and sounded genuinely baffled when he realized I didn’t know him. I’m trying to rack my brain for clues on where I might have seen him but nothing comes to mind. Have I seen him on some random ad modeling for Gucci or something?
I’m trying but ultimately came up short. And maybe the fact that I’m kind of preoccupied with the whole cheating and break up doesn’t help my situation at all.
He mumbled something to himself but I couldn’t catch anything from what he just said.
“What did you say?” I asked.
“I’m Nick,” he introduced himself, ignoring my question again. He was looking directly at my face, probably gauging my reaction.
“Yeah... no, doesn’t ring a bell,” I concluded. He just smiled and I swear I saw a glint of humor flash by in his eyes.
The brief silence between us was disturbed by none other than my grumbling stomach. I swear, the universe is out to get me.
“Well, it’s nice to meet you and all, Nick, but I have to go,” I quickly said. I have definitely made a strike of embarrassing moments with this guy for today.
“Of course, those ice creams won’t eat themselves, right, sweetheart?” he asked as he hopped on his bike and gave me a charming smile.
“Har har,” I grimaced at him as I offered a sarcastic laugh at his remark. I opened the door of my car and leaned inside, placing the bag on the passenger seat. Nick suddenly cleared his throat and when I looked back, he was blushing and was looking elsewhere.
Realizing what happened, I quickly fixed my booty shorts. I left the house with no thoughts on my clothing whatsoever.
“It’s nice to meet you, Cami. Until next time?” he offered.
“Yeah, sure...” I answered unsurely. Next time? Maybe he only said that to be polite. Yeah, that’s it.
Before I even got to hop in my car, his voice suddenly interrupted.
“By the way,” he said.
“Yeah?”
“I like the slippers,” he grinned, eyeing my footwear.
My slippers?
I looked down to my feet and my face instantly heated up. Lo and behold, instead of wearing my Nike calm slides, I wore my wacky bread slippers that Hugh jokingly got for me when I started culinary school. Just my luck that the shape and feel are the same.
“Ah, my loafers…” I said.
A snort followed by a full-blown laughter made me look up at Nick. His eyes crinkled in laughter and his dimples were showing. The guy even has dimples?!
“You’re funny. I really do hope we meet again,” he told me, chuckling as he put on his helmet.
With one final look, he winked at me and drove away from the parking lot leaving me behind, blushing like an idiot.
“UGH. Why me?” I face-palmed myself as I made my way home.
Continue to the next chapter of Love at First Stoplight