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“It’s not just an exhibit. They are seriously considering turning it into a full-time social mediaclubor something asinine like that. The whole place looks like a unicorn threw up on a spoiled child’s birthday party. It’s terrible and I hate it, and—Ugh, oh God, I’m sorry, I’m rambling, and in the middle of your class!” She ducks her head and looks around to see if we’re bothering anyone.
“It’s okay. If you don’t have anywhere to be, stay back for a bit after class? I’d like to get caught up on what’s happening with the gallery.”
“Uh, yeah, sure.”
After class, she stays behind and we chat about the gallery while she helps me clean up and reset for the next day. Before I know it, we’re laughing and talking effortlessly about anything and everything, to the point that we’ve completely lost track of time.
It’s not until my phone pings that either of us realizes how late it is.
“Oh my god, I’m late for work!” Beth gasps, jumping up off the edge of my desk. Under the guise of leaning onto my desk to reach for my phone, my hand lands in the same spot she was sitting, soaking in the warmth her body left behind.
“I’m late too, actually. I was supposed to meet Cal at the gym, but I think that ship has sailed. I’ll text him.”
“I’m sorry,” she says sweetly, giving me an apologetic smile.
“I’m not,” I say quietly. My heart is pounding at her proximity. “I really enjoy talking to you, Beth. You’re… You’re really something special.”
She looks away from me, but not before I notice the emotion behind her eyes. “That’s kind of you to say.”
“That came out awkwardly. I apologize if I’m making you uncomfortable,” I say, mentally grasping for some lifeline, some way to backtrack and return to the lighthearted, friendly conversation we were having.
Beth's gaze snaps back up to mine. “No! You’re not at all. I’m… Okay, I’m admittedly not great with compliments. But that really means a lot, especially from you.”
There’s a heavy silence for a few moments.
“You probably need to get to work?”
Beth pushes her shoulders back and lifts her chin. “You know, I think maybe not. I’ve actually never been late before. There’sa very large part of me that wants to go for gold and call out, and let them figure out their own friends and family walk-through.”
After pressing her lips together thoughtfully, she nods and pulls out her phone. She sends a text and promptly sets the phone down on the desk.
“Who knew you were such a rebel?” I say, laughing at the matter-of-fact way she just made up her mind to do something that goes completely against her nature.
She grins back widely, but cuts her eyes toward her phone. After watching her stare at the phone for a few moments, I lean over and take it from her, powering it off and tossing it into her bag.
Her eyes are wide, but amused. I guess we’re both being bold today. “Are you planning to do anything with your unexpected free time??”
“N-no,” she replies, the end of the word sounding more like a question. She tilts her head and looks back at me.
“Since we’re breaking all the rules today, would you like to see something?” I ask cryptically.
A curious grin stretches across her face, lighting up her gorgeous blue eyes. “Absolutely,” she agrees, without even asking me what it is. Whether that’s because she trusts me, or because she’s feeling especially adventurous, I love it.
Smiling so hard my face aches, I grab her hand and pull her quickly through the hall and into a stairwell before the security guard comes around. Giggling like teenagers, we try to keep our footsteps from echoing down the stairwell, but ourattempts at being quiet just make us laugh more.
Finally, after three flights of stairs, we make it up to the roof access. I punch in a key-code that I may or may not have sweet-talked off the receptionist a few years back, and the heavy door unlocks so I can push it open. With my hand on her back, we walk out onto the roof.
The setting sun paints the sky in vibrant pinks and oranges, the glow radiating off Beth’s perfect skin as she takes in her surroundings.
“Oh, wow. Ezra, this is beautiful!”
She’s looking at the sunset, but I can’t take my eyes off her. “Absolutely breathtaking,” I say under my breath.
Beth’s eyes cut towards me, catching me staring at her. One side of her mouth turns up in a shy smile.
“How often do you come up here?” She asks, cocking her head towards me.
“A few times a week maybe, depending on my schedule.”
