Marcus

Well, that's... unfortunate timing.

Cursing under my breath, I drop my head in frustration. The moment with Melanie was so close, the anticipation hanging in the air, and then the damn doorbell ruins it. I wanted to kiss her, and I knew she wanted it too. "Damn it," I mutter, feeling the frustration build up. Reluctantly, I pull back, creating a respectable distance, and give her space to hop off the kitchen counter.

Melanie gracefully jumps down, her eyes locking onto mine, and she bites her lip. The desire in her gaze mirrors my own, and I grunt, knowing that we were so close to sharing that kiss. Trying to shake off the disappointment, I gesture towards the door. "You should get that," I say, my tone slightly strained.

Melanie nods, exhaling sharply, and walks out of the kitchen. Left alone, I throw my head back and mutter a frustrated curse. Adjusting my hardening arousal discreetly, I mutter another curse under my breath. This timing couldn't be worse.

As I follow Melanie to the door, I try to cool the simmering desire that still lingers from our almost-kiss. Opening the door, we're greeted by the movers, ready to bring in Melanie's new appliances. My initial frustration is momentarily forgotten as I focus on the task at hand. The movers bring in boxes containing the refrigerator, dishwasher, and other appliances. Melanie, with a mix of excitement and impatience, directs them on where each item should go.

I assist in unloading the boxes, unpacking the appliances, and helping the movers set them in their designated spots. The kitchen begins to take shape, transforming from an empty space to a functional, stylish area. Melanie beams with joy, her eyes lighting up as she envisions the final result.

"Here for the fridge, right?" one of the movers asks, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand.

Melanie nods enthusiastically. "Yes, right there. Thank you."

As the movers diligently work on installing the appliances, I steal glances at Melanie. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and I can't help but appreciate the way her face lights up with each new addition to her apartment.

With the kitchen appliances successfully installed, we move on to the laundry room. The delivery guys bring in the washer and dryer, carefully maneuvering them into place. Melanie and I collaborate effortlessly, ensuring everything aligns perfectly with her vision for the space.

Once the movers finish their work, Melanie and I express our gratitude, watching them leave with a sense of accomplishment. The apartment is now equipped with essential appliances, bringing it one step closer to becoming a cozy haven for Melanie.

With the movers gone, Melanie turns to me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Thank you so much for helping, Marcus. This means a lot to me."

I smile, genuinely happy to have been a part of this process. "Anytime, Melanie. I'm glad I could help. Your place is coming together beautifully."

Melanie blushes, the compliment clearly touching her. "Well, I couldn't have done it without you."

"I think you would have managed just fine on your own, but I'm glad I got to help," I say, feeling a sense of satisfaction in being there for Melanie. Her smile in response warms my heart, and I can't help but admire her as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. She's so damn beautiful, and I'm falling deeper every moment.

As Melanie drops her gaze, I find myself lost in the simple act of watching her. I wish I could just pull her into my arms and kiss her, but the timing seems off now. Glancing at my watch, I realize that the day has progressed swiftly. "Are you hungry?" I ask Melanie, trying to redirect our focus.

She looks up at me, her eyes meeting mine, and nods. "Yeah, I am."

I suggest, "How about we grab something to eat? Celebrate the successful installation."

Melanie agrees, and we both grab our jackets, preparing to leave the apartment. Walking side by side, we leave the apartment, the door clicking shut behind us and we get in the elevator.

"Do you know what time your furniture is arriving?" I inquire, as the elevator starts descending.

Melanie looks thoughtful for a moment before answering, "I'm not sure."

Melanie shakes her head. "No idea."

"Alright then, what time do you want me to come over?" I ask.

Melanie looks up, contemplating for a moment. "I'll be at the apartment around nine. You can come over whenever you want, or I can give you a call when the furniture arrives."

"Sounds like a plan," I say, my mind already looking forward to spending another day with her.

As Melanie and I step out of the building, I suggest a nearby burger joint. "You've got to start learning all the good places now that you'll be living around here," I say, grinning at her. Melanie agrees, and we begin walking, with me leading the way. I've already decided that tomorrow, I'll be at her apartment at nine sharp. I want to get as much time with her as possible.

We reach the burger joint, a cozy spot filled with the savory aroma of grilled patties. We place our orders, and as we wait for our food, the conversation flows effortlessly. Melanie's laughter is like music to my ears, and every time I make her laugh, it feels like a small victory.

Once our burgers are ready, we grab our trays and find a cozy spot to sit. The atmosphere is lively, yet our little corner feels like a world of its own. We talk, we laugh, and we share stories. It's so easy spending time with Melanie, as if we've been together for years. Well, we're not together at this moment, but with every passing second, I become more certain that we will be together again soon.

We finish our meal, and as we clear our trays, I suggest walking Melanie back to her apartment. She agrees with a smile, and we make our way through the lively streets.

As we approach her building, Melanie shares, "Adam and Mallory will be here on Sunday."

I grin, responding, "I know. Adam gave me a heads up a couple of days ago."

Melanie grins, excitement evident in her voice. "I can't wait to see Mallory." I can't help but smile wider; I know how close they are.

We arrive outside Melanie's building, and we come to a stop. She turns to face me, glancing at the building and then back at me with a smile. "I would invite you in, but there's no furniture to sit on."

I chuckle. "That's okay."

Melanie looks at me, a hint of hesitation in her eyes. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

I nod. "You got it."

After a brief pause, Melanie steps closer, surprising me with a kiss on the cheek. Our eyes lock for a moment as she pulls away. "Goodbye," she says softly.

"Goodbye," I reply, watching her walk towards the building. She reaches the front door, glances back, and smiles at me. I return the smile, and with a wave, she disappears inside.

I take a deep breath, a mix of contentment and longing lingering in the air. With a satisfied smile, I start my walk home, replaying the day's moments in my mind. It's absurd how quickly I find myself missing Melanie, just moments after we parted ways. Her absence feels like a void, and I can't shake the anticipation of seeing her again tomorrow.

Entering my home, I head straight for my bedroom, ready to unwind from the day. However, as I open the door, I'm met with an unexpected sight. Karla lounges on my bed, a mischievous grin on her face. I scowl, my impatience shifting to irritation. "What are you doing here?"

Karla pouts, pretending to be hurt. "Aren't you happy to see me?"

I repeat, annoyance evident in my voice, "What the fuck are you doing here?"

Ignoring my question, Karla swings her legs and hops off the bed, approaching me. She runs her fingers on my chest and coyly asks, "Why did you ask Natalie to tell me to stop texting you?"

I push away her hand, irritation growing. "Because I'm not interested, and you're annoying me."

Her playful demeanor falters for a moment, replaced by a hint of disappointment. "Is it because of that girl I saw you with the other day? Melanie, was it?"

I shoot her a stern look. "What I do and who I see is none of your business. You need to leave."

Karla bats her eyelashes and coos, "Marcus, you don't really want me to leave, do you?"

I raise an eyebrow. "Actually, I do."

Undeterred, she reaches out to touch me again, but I push away her hands. "Come on, Marcus," she purrs. "We could have so much fun."

I sigh, growing increasingly frustrated. "Fun for you, maybe. Look, where's Natalie?"

Karla smirks. "At class. Why?"

My eyes widen at her audacity. "So, you decide to show up here when she's not around? That's low, even for you."

She shrugs, feigning innocence. "I wanted to see you. What's the harm in that?"

I shake my head, my patience wearing thin. "You don't have a reason to be here, Karla. You should go."

Karla rolls her eyes, putting on a fake smile. "Fine. But if you change your mind, you know where to find me."

I shake my head, not wanting to engage in any further conversation with her. "Just leave, Karla."

She huffs, clearly displeased, but eventually heads towards the door. As the door clicks shut behind her, I let out a sigh of relief. I can't believe she showed up here, waiting for me on my bed. Karla is trouble and I need to find a way around it. I can't let her get between me and Melanie.