Page 25 of For the Plot (The Stone Siblings #1)

James

Dress - Taylor Swift

Shaking the drink in my hands, I poured it out for the customer in front of me, handing it over with a wink.

It had been three days since my last lesson with Nikki, and I’d been walking on cloud nine ever since.

It was honestly a little concerning. How I thought about her twenty-four seven.

The way she smelled, the way she tasted, the way her skin felt under my fingertips, my tongue.

How much I couldn’t wait to properly fuck her.

We hadn’t had time alone since then, but when we were in the apartment with Will and Collins, it felt impossible not to touch her or even look at her the way I wanted to.

Sitting on the couch watching a movie and wishing I could put an arm around her shoulder and pull her in close to me.

Passing her in the kitchen, wishing I could place a hand on her waist. Going to our separate bedrooms each night, wishing I could wake up in the morning, holding her in my arms.

It wasn’t real, but god, I wanted it to be. But I knew what this was going in, and just because my feelings for her were growing stronger didn’t mean she had changed her mind about me. If all she wanted me for was the lessons, I would take it.

Forcing myself to stop thinking about Nikki at work, I got back to slinging drinks until it was break time, and I could head to the back office. When I opened the door, Sasha was sitting at her desk next to mine.

“What’s up, boss-a-roni?”

She rolled her eyes at me. “You know I hate that.”

Instead of responding, I blew her a kiss, flopping into my chair and pulling my phone out to doom scroll my fifteen-minute break away.

A few minutes passed in silence before she turned to me.

“Oh, by the way, I thought more about if I wanted to step back and hire a manager, and I’ve decided that’s definitely what I’m going to do.

I’d love to have your help going through applications with me once it’s time to hire.

” She went back to typing whatever it was she’d been working on.

I froze, taking in her words. It was time to make a decision.

I used to think I was perfectly fine where I was, that I didn’t want more than this.

But I was beginning to understand just how much I needed a change at work.

I always tried to be happy and easygoing, but I was sick of staying quiet for fear of rocking the boat.

Sick of being afraid to ask for more. And now was the time, before it was too late and Sasha hired someone else.

“Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that,” I clicked my phone off, shoving it back in my pocket, and turning towards her.

She stopped what she was doing, no doubt hearing the serious tone of my voice. “What’s up?”

I took a deep breath, telling myself I needed to be brave and ask for what I wanted, just as I'd asked Nikki to do with me. “I’ve been thinking, and I actually want you to consider me for the position.” I held my breath after I was done speaking, waiting to see how she would respond.

It’s not that I necessarily thought she wouldn’t be happy about it; I just had no idea how she would respond.

And I was so used to going through life never asking for more, I had no idea how to not fear that asking for me would be met with rejection.

Her eyes widened in surprise, but she didn’t look upset or anything. “I didn’t think you’d be interested? You always say, and I quote, ‘fuck paperwork, it’s stupid.'”

“Damn, woman, do you always have to remember the things I say?” She threw a wadded up napkin at me, and I ducked out of the way, laughing.

“OK, seriously, though,” I let the laughter die out from my voice, so she knew I was taking this seriously.

“I’ve realized recently that maybe I wasn’t as happy staying where I am as I thought I was.

I’ve felt kinda stuck for a while now. I think this could be a good change of pace for me.

And you know I work hard. I know this bar better than anyone besides you.

I think I could do it. No, I know I could do it.

” I straightened in my seat, my words growing more confident.

Sasha appraised me.for a moment. “OK.”

I blew out a relieved breath, “OK? You’ll let me apply for the job?”

Sasha rolled her eyes. “No, dumbass, I’m offering you the position. But hey, if you would rather apply and go through a full round with other applica—”

“Nope, no, that’s good. Yes, of course I accept!” I jumped out of my seat and picked her up in a tight hug. Relief and elation washed through me.

“OK, that’s enough of that now." She reached up and patted me on top of my head after pushing me away. I was too happy to do anything other than continue grinning at her. Damn, maybe I should try this “asking for what I want thing” more often.

Sasha immediately got started on training me, and the next five days passed in a blur. We figured if she was ready to step back, and wasn’t trying to train a new person from scratch, we might as well power our way through it so Sasha could get right into spending more time with Lauren.

It had been five days of paperwork, computer training, more paperwork, backend learning, and oh, had I mentioned paperwork? But it had also been five days of not being stuck at the bar talking to annoying people and flirting for tips. And honestly? Worth it.

When I had told the roommate group chat that I was going to be manager, they’d responded in a range of support from heartfelt congratulations (Nikki), to confirmation that this still meant free drinks for life (Will), to playful ribbing if I even knew what a manager did (Collins).

I’d responded to Nikki and Will, and ignored Collins.

It was Saturday night now, and for the first time in what felt like forever, all four of us were home together. We were in the living room watching a Netflix romcom, shouting encouragement and derision in equal measures at the couple on the screen. It was one of our favorite roommate pastimes.

We were all laughing at the hero inevitably saying something dumb to upset the heroine when my phone buzzed.

Lifting my hips from the couch, I reached underneath me to pull it out of my pocket.

Out of the corner of my eyes I swore I saw Nikki’s eyes on my hips as I did, but when I looked over at her, her eyes were on the screen.

I pulled it out to see Nikki’s name, and at first I assumed she was sending the roomie group chat a meme or something. I nearly choked on my own tongue when I opened it and read the private message, just between us.

So, when are you gonna fuck me?

I tried to school my face in case Will or Collins decided to look over at me.

Nikki and I were at opposite ends of the couch, the guys between us.

There she sat, feet curled up under her, her face carefully blank, he body leaning on the arm of the couch so Will next to her couldn’t see her phone screen if he looked away from the TV.

Damn, you could warn a guy next time

But it’s more fun to see how you react *smirking emoji*

You suck

Is that a request?

Fuck . Whatever she was trying to do, it was working. As subtly as I could, I picked up the couch pillow wedged between me and the arm, settling it over my lap.

Careful, Nikki

Or what?

Babes, don’t threaten me with a good time

Did you just quote Taylor Swift at me?

Ngl, the fact that you knew that was kinda hot

LMAO

Where is this coming from?

(Not that I’m not enjoying it)

You haven't touched me in five days

And I'm horny

Are you not?

Do you not see the pillow I had to put on my lap you she-devil?

*cry laughing emoji*

When do we have the apartment to ourselves again next?

Great question

I need to do some mental math on Collins’s schedule

I looked up from my phone, hoping it hadn’t been too obvious. I honestly had forgotten where I was, only thinking about Nikki. That was happening more and more often lately, and I really needed to be more careful. I was going to end up breaking my own heart, ruining our friendship, or both.

I had no idea what had been happening in the movie, too engrossed in my flirting with Nikki. At the moment the couple was having a fight in the rain. And then the hero grabbed the heroine by the face, kissing her passionately.

There was a sigh from the other end of the couch and I looked over to see Nikki watching the scene with a dreamy look on her face. She must have sensed me looking at her because she glanced over.

“What?” she asked on a laugh.

“You’re just cu— funny.” I caught myself at the last second. “Big fan of the rain kiss, huh?”

“It’s just so romantic!” she exclaimed defensively, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Do you not like a kiss in the rain?” Collins turned to me incredulously.

“Dude, come on,” Will chipped in. “ Spider-man ? The Notebook ? It’s literally a classic.”

“Hey!” I held my hands up in defense. “I never said I didn’t!”

Will shook his head at me. “Mm, mm, mm, mm, mm.”

“Damn, why are you coming after Nikki like that?” Collins pretended to glare at me, crossing his arms over his chest.

Nikki copied him, pouting at me. “Yeah, James, why’d you come after me?” She put the slightest emphasis on "come" when she spoke, a teasing glint in her eye, and I sent her a dirty look.

“You’re all assholes,” I grumbled, sulking into my seat and looking away so the guys didn’t see the grin I couldn’t hide.

Remembering that I was supposed to be figuring out when Collins would be on shift, I did some mental calculations.

The next time he went back on shift was October first and second.

A few episodes of our favorite reality dating show, and a few sneaky questions later, and I got it out of Will that he’d be covering a game late on the second.

I pulled out my phone and shot Nikki a text.

October 2nd. You, me, this dick, that pussy

You’re a fucking dork *cry laughing emoji*

Emphasis on the fucking *winking emoji*