Page 12 of Everything She Wanted

“Perks of asking to take on more work at the same pay rate.” I say as I take a bite of galbi. “After all, experience is invaluable on the fast-track to promotion. Who needs money?” I don’t bother to hide the sarcasm in my voice.

“I would say that’s faulty logic, but in this case, at least you get to work with him. Consider it part of your benefits package.” She winks, and I roll my eyes.

She continues. “No fair that you get to spend your evenings and weekends with sexy Shaan and then your days with dreamy Nick and all I get are crappy dates with online creeps.”

“What happened this time?” I relax, grateful for the change in subject.

“You don’t even want to know. It’s so cringe, but I’ll tell you anyway.” She smiles as she settles into her seat and regales me with her latest dating escapades. I do my best to listen, all the while trying desperately to suppress my thoughts of Nick, and the way he looked me up and down over jazz and gin and tonics.

4. Unforgettable

Nick holds the coffee shop door open for me, and my heart leaps a little. It doesn’t feel forced, just a simple reflection of who he is: thoughtful and kind when no one is watching. Things with Eshaan sometimes feel like a display, like he’s putting on a show for others. He plays the perfect attentive boyfriend when my family and friends are around but leaves me to do his own thing when they’re not. Honestly, Eshaan has never made me feel like this. I hope that the way Nick is around me is something more than him just being polite. I step past him and linger for a second too long as I breathe in his warm sandalwood cologne. It reminds me of the wisps of incense my mom would burn every day after her morning prayers. I resist the urge to lean closer to him as we approach the counter.

“Extra-sweet matcha latte, right?” says the barista.

I smile. “That would be great.”

“Is that all?”

“And whatever he’s having.”

The barista turns to Nick.

“An Americano, please.”

I pull out my purse, but Nick beats me to it.

“My treat, as a thank-you for bringing me here.”

I’d bring you anywhere.

“Thanks.”

I’ve replayed the night we first met in my mind so many times, and each time, I envision a different ending. In the first scenario, I go home with him because #YOLO. In another, I give him my number. I’ve thought about what I would say and do if I ever saw him again, but now that it’s really happening, all thoughts flee my mind, and instead I’m drawn in again by the light of his presence.

“Do you want to sit while we wait?” he asks.

“Sure.” I walk toward the only available booth, the one from the other day, where Mom told me I’d better set a date for the wedding, and fast.

I put the feelings of inadequacy out of my mind and let myself enjoy the moment.

Nick slides in across from me. His pin-striped shirt is rolled up at the sleeves, exposing his tanned forearms. I force my gaze to his face.

“So, where were you before this?” I ask casually.

“I worked for a telecom corporation for a while. It was good, but this is more interesting.”

He emphasizes interesting and looks at me with a smile playing on his lips, and I try to remain calm and unaffected—a near-impossible feat.

What did he mean by that?

“How about you? Have you been working here for a while?”

He rests his arm on the table, and I catch a glimpse of his watch, the same Omega Seamaster, then I quickly glance away.

“Just over a year. So not too long.”

Right around the time we first met.