I needed to tell someone. Anyone. Because this night was rewriting the laws of attraction as I knew it…
I tiptoed through the passway, my body still humming from Carl's smile. I needed to call Prisca. She had to hear about this madness before I exploded.
As I reached for the phone tucked into the back pocket of my jeans, Jake's voice interrupted me.
"Sidney?"
I froze.
"Yes, sir?" I responded immediately, plastering a fake smile. It was easier to pretend like I wasn't losing my mind.
"Could we get a little more of that lemon drink? My friend's kinda obsessed now," Jake chuckled, gesturing to Carl.
Carl waved at me. "Guilty. It's delicious."
Why was I flattered? It was just lemon and mint with a little honey. I forced a nod, "Of course! I'll bring it right away."
And there went my plans to squeal to Prisca.
Back in the kitchen, I moved like a hurricane. Glasses. Ice. Pitcher. I didn't even realize I was humming until I caught myself.
Focus, Sidney.
But how could I? Every time I blinked, I saw Carl's smile. Every time I inhaled, I remembered his scent—woodsy, masculine, expensive. He smelled like pages of a well-written novel: mysterious, comforting, irresistible.
I returned to the living room. Both men were laughing at something—Jake leaning back casually, and Carl... oh God, Carl had taken off almost all the buttons of his white shirt. His shirt clung to him in all the right places. Veins danced across his forearms. I nearly forgot I was holding a tray of drinks.
As I placed the glasses down, Carl looked up and smiled again.
"Thanks, Sidney," he said softly, eyes dropping for just a second.
To my cleavage.
I caught it.
I saw it.
And I didn't flinch.
In fact, I stood straighter.
Wait—what the hell, Sidney?
What happened to you being obsessed with Jake? The man you used to stalk on Instagram? The man whose hoodie you once fantasized about stealing just to sleep in it?
Where was that Sidney?
Because the girl standing here was suddenly hungry for Carl's attention. Starved for it, even.
"You okay?" Carl asked, and that soft voice snapped me out of my trance.
"Yes! Yes. Just... lemon and ice," I mumbled.
Smooth. Really smooth.
Jake frowned. "You sure you're not tired or something?"
"Oh, no. I'm great." I forced a laugh and turned toward the hallway. "I'll be in my bedroom..." I paused for a while wondering if that would sound like an invitation for something naughty. "...I'll be around if you need anything."
I walked too fast—nearly ran. As soon as I reached my bedroom, I shut the door behind me and yanked out my phone like it was a lifeline.
I called Prisca.
She didn't pick up.
"Come on, Prisca," I groaned, pacing the room, pressing the phone to my ear again. It rang. Finally—
"Sidney? What's wrong? You sound like you've seen a ghost."
I dropped to the bed and exhaled. "I think I've seen an angel, Prisca."
"What?"
"Carl."
"Who's Carl?"
"Jake's friend."
"Ohhh. So Jake's here?"
I nodded, realized she couldn't see me, and blurted, "Yeah, but forget Jake. This Carl guy... Prisca, I'm telling you—he's unreal."
There was a pause on the line. "Wait a minute. What happened to Jake being your dreamboat?"
"I don't know!" I flopped back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling like it had answers. "I saw Carl and—I don't know—my body forgot about Jake."
Prisca snorted. "Wow. That must've been some body."
I laughed, clutching the pillow to my chest. "He's tall, chocolatey, with the sexiest voice I've ever heard. And he looked at me. Like... looked. At. Me."
"Like perv-look or interest-look?"
I paused, remembering that soft glance to my chest, and then the way his eyes met mine after. "Both? But not in a creepy way. Like... like he saw me and liked what he saw."
Prisca squealed. "You better get your flirt on!"
"Prisca! I'm supposed to be professional."
"You're not in a nun's outfit. You're wearing that tight, low-cut dress you told me about, right?"
I bit my lip. "Maybe."
"Girl, this is your time. Anne's not around. The house is yours. Flirt! Tease! Charm!"
I groaned. "You make it sound so easy."
"You're gorgeous, Sidney. Like... curve-to-kill gorgeous. You just need confidence. And maybe a few slow walks past the living room."
I laughed again. "You're insane."
"And you're stalling. Go! I want updates in thirty minutes."
She hung up before I could protest.
I lay on the bed for a few more seconds, breathing in and out like I was preparing for battle.
Then I stood, smoothed down my dress, fluffed my curls in the mirror, and told myself: Carl isn't God. You can handle this.
But the moment I walked out of the room and peeked into the living room, he looked up and smiled again.
And I melted all over again.
Jake was on the phone now, pacing near the window, talking about a business deal. Carl was relaxed, sipping his drink and flipping through the pages of a coffee table magazine.
I hovered by the corner, unsure what to do. Should I offer dessert? More drinks?
Carl looked up. "Is there dessert coming, or do we have to beg?"
I grinned. "Depends. How well can you beg?"
He raised a brow, amused. "Try me."
Okay. Flirting level unlocked.
"Chocolate cake?" I offered, already heading toward the kitchen.
"Only if you join me."
I stopped mid-step.
"Join you?" I turned, a little breathless.
Carl's eyes twinkled. "I hate eating dessert alone. Especially chocolate."
This man was dangerous.
"I'll see what I can do," I murmured, retreating into the kitchen with my cheeks burning.
In less than five minutes, I had plated two slices of rich chocolate cake and brought them to the living room. Jake was still talking on the phone, thankfully. I placed a plate before Carl, who patted the seat beside him.
"Join me?"
I hesitated for half a second and sat down.
"You're really talented," he said, digging into the cake. "I don't usually like desserts this much."
"I've been cooking since I was twelve," I admitted. "It's my therapy."
Carl nodded. "I can see that. It tastes like love."
His words hit me like a hug.
And then he leaned closer. "And you look like heartbreak."
"What?" I laughed, flustered.
"Heartbreak. The kind men write sad songs about after losing."
I stared at him, speechless.
"You okay?" he asked, tilting his head.
"Yeah. I just... wasn't expecting that."
Carl smiled, eyes scanning my face. "I tend to say what I feel. Life's too short not to."
We both glanced toward Jake, who was still on the phone.
"I like that," I admitted quietly.
Carl's voice dropped to a whisper. "Do you like him?"
I froze. "Jake?"
He nodded.
I was caught off guard.
What am I supposed to say?