Page 17 of The Status Situation

“I don’t have issues with you,” I mumble. I hate how exposed and vulnerable I feel right now. I didn’t know I was that transparent.

“Yeah, well, I’m not trying to get into your pants,” He throws back at me.

“I don’t understand,” Chase states thoughtfully. “Why are you conflicted? You like him. Yes?”

I nod because there’s no point in denying it when Darius basically outed me. “I do. Probably way more than I should after knowing him such a short time.”

The old man raises an eyebrow. “Then what’s the issue? Seems to me you are making this way harder than it needs to be.”

“The issue is: What if he turns out to be like all other guys I’ve dated?”

That’s why I am so damn conflicted— What I’m afraid of. I do like Mark a lot, and I’m worried that he’s going to end up hurting me like all the others. I’m worried that he’s just being nice to me and telling me what I want to hear to get me to sleep with him. Then he will disappear like every other guy I’ve been with.

Darius’ face softens, and he gently grasps my arm. “Oh, honey. You don’t know that’s the case.”

“Don’t I?” I ask. Tears burn the backs of my eyes, and I blink them away angrily. I’m surprised, though. I didn’t realize this bothered me so much.

For the first time since he began frequenting the shop, Chase rises from his seat and steps behind the counter to take me into his arms. I never pegged him as a hugger, but it’s sweet, and I’m even more surprised that I let him hug me. It feels like a line that isn’t supposed to be crossed, but Chase is one of my closest friends.

I smile as I take in his scent of Old Spice and cigars.

After a few moments, he pulls back, but keeps hold of my shoulders. “Maria, did he hurt you? Did he do anything to set off any alarm bells?”

Shaking my head, I smile softly. “No, he didn’t. He was a perfect gentleman.”

“Well then, give him the benefit of the doubt,” he chastises. “It’s not fair for you to punish him for something he didn’t do.”

I can’t bring myself to respond because I know he’s right, but it’s not like I do it intentionally. I have been hurt so many times now; being guarded is just second nature. It’s how I protect myself.

Chase briefly cups my cheeks in both of his hands before poking my nose and then going back to his seat. “Now,” he says, taking a sip of his coffee. “How did the two of you meet?”

I don’t even get the chance to open my mouth to explain that insane story to him before Darius is excitedly beating me to it. He’s all too eager to tell Chase about my social media blunder, which turns out to be a good thing because my phone vibrates in my back pocket.

Normally, I wouldn’t pull it out while on the floor, but since it’s so quiet, I decide to make an exception. A smile breaks out across my face when I see who the text message is from.

Mark: Thought about you last night.

Maria: Did you now?

His response comes quickly, leading me to imagine him sitting at his desk in his fancy office, swinging back and forth in his chair. I cross the floor and lean my ass against the counter by the sink. Darius and Chase don’t need me for their current conversation, and I don’t want or need an audience while I text Mark.

Mark: I did. More specifically, about that kiss.

Maria: Kiss. Right.

Mark: Don’t play coy. You know you were thinking about it, too. You’re probably thinking about it now, even.

Well, I’m sure thinking about it now. It’s still mind-boggling that he has such an effect on me. No one has had that kind of control over me before.

Maria: Maybe

Mark: We should do it again.

Maria: The kiss or go out?

Mark: Yes.

I laugh out loud, causing both Darius and Chase to look over at me. Thankfully, though, they stay where they are.