Lake Larson

I rolled over with my legs pinned under Alex. The hungover blur in my eyes stung to my temples. With one eye open, I saw Alex spread sideways on the bed, lying across me. Her head hung slightly off the mattress, with her wild hair brushing the wood floor.

Pulling my legs out, I stood from the warm sheets and stretched my arms. I yawned, trying to keep my eyes open. My tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth as I glanced around for my water bottle.

Failing to find my water, I strolled into the bathroom. Like a zombie, I dragged my feet with my eyes shut. I leaned over my sink, clicking on my vanity light while I maneuvered my leg to close the door. Sink water would have to do in this dire moment.

The sound of water splattering had me looking through the slits of my eyes. Its miracle liquid drained down the hole while I huffed out, seeing a hand on the faucet.

Smirking, I followed the arm, peeking to the side of me to see Ian. He smiled, leaning on the vanity with his body close to mine. I shook my head and scooped water into my palms, pouring it between my lips.

"How's your head?" Ian asked, playing with the water.

I glanced at him. "Like someone opened my skull and took a hammer to it."

He chuckled before his expression changed to shock. His eyes glanced at his hand while I followed his gaze. Ian's palm filled with water, falling over the edge of his skin.

"Look at that," I said, turning to face him. "Someone is getting pretty good at being a ghost."

He stepped closer to me, not breaking eye contact. I could make out with my side peripheral that his hand kept playing with the sink water.

"The best part," he said, scooting even closer. "I can feel the warm temperature too."

A moan from Alex echoed in my apartment, prompting Ian to step slightly back. I didn't notice how close he was until the air between us warmed up. He smiled sadly while I glanced back at the water, seeing the liquid go through his palm.

"Lake," Alex said, knocking.

"Yeah," I replied with my eyes on Ian. "Just a—" He turned, walking through the door. "Moment."

I spun back to the sink, cupping the water into my palms and splashing the cold water onto my face.

"Alex, I think you killed me!" I yelled before opening the door.

Alex slouched on the frame, barely able to stand. "Yeah, I think I killed myself, too."

I glanced around Alex, seeing Ian shaking his head with a low chuckle. Smiling at Ian, I mirrored his smirk. Alex stumbled forward while looking at what I was smiling at. She caught her feet before bringing her questionable expression to me.

"What time are you leaving?" I asked her, changing her thoughts.

She held the frame. "Probably soon." Alex gave me a sad face. "Sorry, it was a brief visit."

I waved, letting her know I knew she had a busy life. "Don't worry, Alex," I replied. "How are the shop and hometown?" I asked, knowing she was soon to take over the family business of the hardware store. It fell from her brother's shoulders when he signed up for the Coast Guard.

"Hometown?" she questioned me with a brow raised, knowing I mocked the city I grew up in, never wanting to say the name. "The shop is doing great lately," she said, brushing her hand through her hair. "The crappy little town you like to call a hellhole has had lots of newcomers, so the store keeps getting new customers." Her eyes glazed over while she smiled at the ceiling, thinking of someone.

"New customers?" I asked her, reading her thoughts.

She shook her head out of the daydream. "Yes, Larry from down the road hired a guy for the farm, and he moved into the old Heller's house. He's been fixing it up, so he visits the store for supplies." She smiled at the ceiling again. "All the time."

"Awww, what's his name?" I asked with my hand on my heart.

"Cooper." She looked at me, confused by my actions.

Ian chuckled. "Sounds like a name you give a yellow lab."

I glared at Ian, ignoring him. "I will have to meet Cooper when I visit for Thanksgiving."

Alex tilted her head, flinging her hair over her shoulder. "You can meet Cooper once I'm able to meet Ian." She walked into the bathroom to the mirror, adjusting the makeup she fell asleep with.

When I didn't reply, she shuffled into the bedroom, scooping her things off the ground. Alex packed her bag quickly while I cleaned up for the day. With my hair pinned back, I heated a cup of hot water. I poured the liquid into a disposable to-go cup and added a powdered chocolate mix.

"Okay, I'm ready to go," Alex said, wrapping her arm around my side.

"I hate when you have to leave," I replied, handing her the hot cocoa. "But here is a warm drink for the ride."

"You are the best, but next time I need coffee." Alex wrapped all her bags in her arms, leaving me in the silent apartment.

"Okay, time to go," Ian said, killing my one second of silence.

"Where?" I asked, putting my hand on my hip.

He rolled his eyes. "You have that geeky study thing with Hudson tomorrow, and I think you need to practice small talk." Ian walked through the door, disappearing to the other side.

My body heated with fear, realizing Ian was right. I am going to look like a complete moron tomorrow when I'm alone with Hudson.

Ian's head poked back through the door. "You coming?"

I glanced down at my shirt with an older band on it. "But I'm not ready," I said, knowing I had little makeup and hair pulled back.

Ian's eyes scanned down my body. "I think the Sunday look is perfect." He smiled at me. "Honestly, guys don't care about the material items. They only care about what it will look like on their bedroom floor."

I glared at Ian, crossing my arms. "Okay, let's go before you say anymore."

I grabbed my keys, racing after Ian down the stairs. We drove into town of the big city of Spokane, pulling near a curb beside a locally owned coffee shop. The faded red brick had frost crawling up the wall as the windows steamed from the inside.

"Yes, this place is ideal," Ian said, watching the people go in and out of the front entrance.

I hopped out of my car, feeding the meter. "How long?" I asked Ian.

His eyes glanced at me with a smirk. "Gonna take hours."

I deadpanned him, putting in as many quarters as I had in my car.

"What?" Ian asked with his palms facing me. "Practice makes perfect."

I wrapped my arms around my torso as the cold crept up my body. We walked into the coffee shop, filling my nose with a smoky nut smell.

Ian inhaled the air. "Smells like heaven," he said with his eyes closed.

"Okay, weirdo," I replied, standing in line while my eyes scanned the place.

The red brick walls from the outside had patterned into the decor on the inside. A shelf in the corner held books for people to buy with reusable cups. The tables were full of customers while they enjoyed their warm beverage.

"What can I get you?" a man's voice asked, prompting me to spin around and see a warm smile from the guy behind the counter.

"Oh." I glanced at the menu, messing with my fingers. "I would like a—"

"Black coffee," Ian whispered in my ear like he was keeping a secret from the worker.

"Black coffee?" I questioned in a high-pitched voice.

The guy checked behind me, seeing nobody in line. "First time?" He leaned against the counter.

"Yes," I said. "Is it that obvious?"

He side smiled. "Here, I will surprise you with your drink," he said, grabbing a cup and writing on it. "By the way, I like your shirt."

I looked down. "Thank you," I said to my baggie shirt.

"Name?" the worker asked.

"Lake," I replied, bringing my purse to the front of me. "How much?"

He waved a nonchalant hand at me. "On the house." His smile grew. "Let's call it our shop's way of welcoming new coffee drinkers into the addiction." He nodded.

"Thank you."

I walked away to an empty table, sliding into a booth against the window while Ian smiled at me like I was a new toy on Christmas morning.

"That was good," Ian said, sitting beside me.

"What?" I glanced at him, confused.

"The small talk with the coffee guy," he said, pointing at the worker.

"Really?"

"Yes," Ian responded while watching a group of girls.

The guy behind the counter brought me a white cup with a coffee design on the top. His smile stretched as he raised his eyebrows before going back to work.

I pulled out my book from my purse, pretending to read. Leaning over, I sipped the coffee, spitting it back into the cup and setting it back on the table. Ian chuckled as he watched me.

"Him," Ian said, pointing at a guy across the shop on a laptop.

The random had his hair pulled back into a man bun while his scarf hung loosely around his neck. He focused on his computer while the rest of the coffee shop didn't exist.

"What do I even say?" I asked Ian, with my book covering my face.

"Just go up to him and start a conversation."

I exhaled, set my book on the table, and stood up. Watching my feet, I walked over to the random man bun. The guy didn't notice me as he typed on his keyboard. I looked at Ian, prompting him to gesture for me to say something.

"H-h-hey," I stuttered.

"Yes, I am finished," his deep voice replied while he pushed his empty cup closer to me without looking up.

I watched the mug nudge the edge of the table. "Oh."

"No, I don't need another," he said, not pulling his eyes away from his screen still.

Hesitantly, I took his cup and set it down at the front counter as I walked to my table. I sat, grabbing my book to hide my face.

"How did it go?" Ian asked, moving his face close to mine to hide behind the pages with me.

"He thought I worked here." I plopped my book on the table, palming my forehead.

Ian chuckled. "You win some, you lose some." He eyed across the shop. "Okay, that guy."

I shifted my gaze, seeing a tall man laughing with his friend. They grabbed their drinks from the counter as I stood, walking toward them without responding to Ian.

The guys sat at a tall table as I walked with my head high. "Hey." My eyes lingered on the guy Ian said to talk to.

His smile dropped when he glanced at me. His eyes bobbed between me and his friend, unsure of what to say.

"I'm Lake. It's nice to meet you," I said with my hand out.

The guy looked down at my palm with a disgusted face before showing me his fake smile. "I'm gay," he said, which caused his friend to laugh louder than needed.

My face burned with embarrassment as I covered my cheeks with my palms. "Sorry."

They glanced at one another, hackling. The friend grabbed my arm, giving me pity. "Sorry, hun, this tall glass is mine."

I put my head down, racing back to the table. I could hear Ian laughing as I grabbed my book, not looking over at him. With the cover, I blocked Ian from my vision.

"How did it go?" he asked, peeking over the pages.

I glared at him. "He's gay," I said, letting a laugh escape my lips.

"I knew." Ian leaned back into the seat. "I saw them holding hands when they walked in."

"Ian," I said through my teeth.

"Him."

I didn't want to look up at the new victim while I exhaled, gazing up at a man in athletic gear. A sports bag hung on his shoulder while he stood in line to order. His dark hair spiked up in the front while his gaze met mine.

"See, he's already looking at you," Ian said.

When I stood up, the man glanced away. His eyes kept peeking over as I strolled closer.

"Hey," I said with confidence.

"Hey," he responded, shifting his bag more on his shoulder.

"I'm Lake."

"Logan." His voice was low while he watched his feet.

We stood in line while people filed into the coffee shop. I glanced around, meeting Ian's eyes. He brought his hand to his ear, telling me to get Logan's phone number.

"Can!" I yelled, rubbing my hand on my neck. "Can I get your number?"

He laughed at his feet. "Sorry, I'm not interested."

"Oh," I replied, turning back to Ian.

"Not trying to be mean," Logan said, causing me to look back at him. "I'm married." He pointed at the ring on his hand. "And I'm not interested in ruining a good thing."

I widened my eyes. "Sorry for bothering you." Turning away awkwardly, I strolled to Ian, falling into my seat of shame.

"By the look on your face," Ian said while I glared at him. "It didn't go very well."

Ian will be the death of me. This experience had taught me to never talk to guys again.

I set my forehead on the table, looking under. "Married," I muffled out. "This was a bad idea."

"No, this was good," Ian said, tilting his head so his eyes met mine. "Even if the guys were unavailable, this gave you practice interacting with the male species without looking like a dog that did something wrong."

"I feel like a fool."

"Yeah." He smirked at me. "Only a little." Ian gestured his fingers, showing me.

I sat up, swatting his hand away. My fingers wrapped around his warm hand as our eyes widened. I looked from our hand to his hazel eyes, watching him stare at our skin touching. His smile increased as he peeked up at me.

My heart hesitated while his big, beautiful eyes watched me. Ian's warm fingers entangled with mine, causing me to feel my cheeks turn red. I exhaled, pulled my hand away, and covered my face.

"Lake," Ian whispered, sending shivers down my spine.

Ian's expression dropped, showing the sadness in his eyes. He smirked with a chuckle before gazing away from me.

I shifted away from him as the barista guy strolled toward me. He smiled, tucking his pen into his apron.

"Lake, right?" he asked, glancing at my book.

"Yes."

His eyes moved to the barely touched cup of coffee. "I see you didn't like what I made."

"Sorry, I'm not a coffee person." I straight-smiled at him.

"That's alright. I was over here because—" the guy paused, brushing the front of his shirt.

Ian leaned closer to me. "He wants your number."

I perked up. "Yes," I replied. "You can have my number," I said, realizing the guy never asked. "Wait, you want my number, right?"

He smiled. "Yes."

I handed him my phone as he typed on it. "My name is Dylan," he said, returning my cell.

"Perfect." I grinned ear to ear as he turned back to the counter and walked away.

My excited expression moved to Ian as he watched me. Even with Dylan's phone number, I couldn't help but think about Ian's touch. I wondered if he felt the warmth like me. 

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