"I can't help it
I get starstruck around you"
December 18th, 10:00am
Syd's POV:
It has been a week. A full week since I have seen spoken, texted and touched Ryder Madden. He hasn't texted and neither have I. I am too afraid of the conversation, or the lack thereof, that may follow.
I am currently at work. Snow coats the cafe windows and the holiday music drifts through the empty booths. The only other person here is an old man in the corner, enjoying a morning coffee and the paper.
Coffee stains my apron as I continue to wipe down a table covered in sprinkles from our donut of the day.
I go back around the counter, my converse soaked from the walk over here. My shift started an hour ago but I am already tired and want to go home.
I sneak a peek at my phone secretly hoping Ryder has finally texted but just like the last 15 times I checked, he hasn't.
I sigh as I go through countless messages from our girls group chat.
Jas: You guys should come over for drinks tn :)))
Maeve: I wish!!!! I have to study :( exam szn is upon us ladies
Seph: Going to a concert with the gf. Maybe tmr?
Jas: Boo u whores
Jas: Syd wbu????
Syd: I'll check if I can :)
I slid my phone back into my pocket as the bell above the door rings signalling someone has entered.
"I'll be with you in a second," I mumble, bending down to the counters to pick up some fallen napkins.
"I'll just get a coffee, black," the voice speaks out.
Hey, I know that voice. I would recognize that voice anywhere. That voice whispered dirty things in my ear and makes my stomach flip like it is on a rollercoaster.
My mind is racing a million miles a second and when I finally get up from my crouched position on the floor and get a look at those beautiful deep eyes I almost faint.
"Jeez Pierce I know I am gorgeous no need to stare," Ryder smiles at me with those signature dimples popping out of his cold tinted cheeks. He sits atop one of the barstool seats in front of the counter. Dressed in all black he looks so gorgeous. His wavy brown hair tousled from the wind and snow is lightly covering his soft locks.
"How d-d-id yo-," I stumble over my words, almost starstrucked by this beautiful specimen of a man.
My words die out of my mouth and a silence coats the air. We stare at each other before Ryder speaks up again. I can't even ask him the questions I have been dying to know. Where has he been for the past week?
"You know when I said text me I meant it."
I stare blankly at him before responding, "How did you know where I work?"
"Deflecting the question Sydney, but I'll bite," He stops for a moment picking up the menu in front of him. "Maeve," is all he says and I put the puzzle pieces together.
I am gonna have a talk about privacy with her when I get home.
"Now answer my question," He says as I turn to put the coffee pot on to fulfil his order.
I turn around and refer back to his earlier question about texting. "You didn't text either you know."
I wasn't just going to text first and put myself on full vulnerability. Besides, if he was so hung up about it he should have just texted first.
"I don't have your number babe. You never texted I don't have it," Ryder says and my lips roll into my mouth. Oops forgot about that factor.
My mouth forms an 'O' and Ryder shakes his head knowingly.
"Text me right now," He says pointing at my phone tucked away in my apron pocket.
"You're kidding right?"
He raises an eyebrow at me almost to say "do I look like I'm kidding?"
"Fine," I huff and pull at my phone. I bring up the contact labelled 'Ryder' the contact has not been texted yet. I send a 'hey' to the number and a few seconds later a buzz is heard from Ryder's pocket.
"Happy?" I ask, pouring his coffee into a mug. Who even drinks coffee black? Yuck.
"Immensely," Ryder says, smiling as he takes a sip of his coffee. If it is burning hot he doesn't even show the emotion, he just lets the liquid run down his throat, his face neutral the whole time.
I turn back around and smile a bit. Why does he care that I text him? Does he even like me? Who fucking knows nowadays?
"Oh one last thing," Ryder says and I turn back around. "You free the 23rd?"
I nod my head slowly. What is he up to?
"Great, pick you up at 6 for my office Christmas party. Wear a dress," He whispers the last part before slapping down a couple of bills on the counter, downing the rest of his coffee and walking out.
Dear Lord, what have I gotten myself into? Did he just demand I go to a party with him? And I liked it?!
And for the second time today I am left starstruck.
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YOU ARE READING
That One Night
RomanceThey both will never forget That One Night. The lights are dim, the music is loud and the smell of alcohol and sweat is in the air. What could possibly go wrong? Sydney Pierce is 23 years old and has recently suffered the most devastating heartbrea...
