"ADMIT IT. YOU MISSED ME," Lester teasingly sang in my ear as he hugged me close from behind, holding me in his arms.

I laughed loudly and unwrapped his arms from around my body. "No, I didn't. Now, stay away from me before you get me sick," I warned him as I backpedaled out of the kitchen.

Lester followed my footsteps tauntingly with a devious smirk on his face, letting me know he was up to no good. "C'mon, it's not like I have cooties or anything," He said while inspecting his fingers. "Or do I?"

I raised my eyebrows at him as if I was actually contemplating his statement before my face broke out into a grin. It was true. I had missed Lester. Working my shifts just wasn't the same without him here, and I had no idea what I was going to do to entertain myself when he went to the Marines and Sia moved to Georgia.

"You may or may not have cooties, but you still have germs that could get me sick," I claimed as I leaned back against the counter where all the seasonings and trays were located.

Lester raised both of his hands up before saying in a more serious tone, "Listen, I promise I'm not sick anymore, Florence. I wouldn't have risked coming back to work if I were," He told me with a sad look in his eyes.

My smile instantly fell. I can't believe he thought I was being serious. I believed him the first time he told me he was well, and I made sure he knew that. Lester jokingly scoffed after I made my confession before biting his lip. He was staring at me with an expression that I wasn't used to seeing on his face. His blue eyes gazed into my brown ones adoringly, and I felt my heartbeat quicken just the slightest.

The trance we found ourselves in ended with the sound of the door jingling and a group of chatty middle schoolers entering the pizzeria. They pressed their hands against the glass case that contained the food on display as they decided what they wanted to order from our menu.

I offered Lester a smile before telling him, "You should get back to work."

He nodded his head and replied, "Ay, ay captain."

"Hey, you never know. Someday, I might be the next Captain Phillips," I jokingly remarked, making Lester laugh before going into waiter mode.

The rest of my shift went by smoothly. I only had to make two deliveries, and I spent the rest of the time helping Lester bring food to our customers and cleaning down the booths with Lysol. When nine thirty rolled around, I walked behind the counter to retrieve my bag so I could leave. Before I could make it to the door, I stopped and turned around upon hearing my name being called.

"Hey, I wanted to ask you something before you left," Lester informed me once he got from behind the counter.

I stared at him skeptically before saying, "If you're going to ask me to close tonight, I can't. I have a Physics test that I need to cram for tomorrow and–"

He shook his head, cutting me off with a chuckle. "No, I wasn't going to ask you that. I promise."

I breathed in relief and nodded my head for him to continue.

"I was wondering if you wanted to be my running buddy," Lester rushed out before screwing his eyes shut and taking a deep breath. "I need someone to train with, and I wanted to do it with someone I trust."

I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks as I processed his request. Of all people why me? I don't have an athletic bone in my body. I thought to myself.

"Lester, I'm honored," I began before taking a deep breath and continuing, "but I don't think I'm fit for the task. Trust me, I'd only hold you back."

However, he continued to persist. "C'mon Florence. It'd be a great opportunity for you to get fitter if that's what you're worried about–because let's face it, you are already fit–and we'll get to bond with each other." When he gave me that puppy dog pout, I was a goner.

I tried to hold my ground for a minute longer but eventually sighed before giving in. "Okay. I'll be your running buddy, but that's it," I sternly told him, fighting back the smile threatening to spill across my face. "No other physical activity shall be required of me."

Lester smiled so wide that lines formed around his mouth, and his eyes beamed with joy. The next thing I knew he was pulling me to his chest in a bear hug, nearly squeezing the life out of me with his massive arms.

"You won't regret this," He spoke into my shoulder, hugging my body even tighter.

"I-already-am," I squeaked out with what little oxygen my lungs managed to obtain.

When Lester realized he was crushing me, he released me with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I didn't mean to crush you," He told me sincerely. "Um, so are you free this Sunday afternoon?" Lester asked while stuffing his hands inside his pockets.

I nodded my head. "Yeah, swing by my house at 1pm, and we can go for our first run then," I assured him with a smile. "Have a good night Lester."

"Take care Florence," He sweetly told me.

On the bus ride home, I had my Spotify playlist on shuffle and silently jammed out to "Cheap Thrills" by Sia and "Alright" by Kendrick Lamar. I managed to gain a few strange looks from the passengers aboard the bus, but I was too busy in my own little world to care.

Right as I proceeded to get off the bus, I received a text from Harry that almost made me lose my balance and caused me to stumble onto the sidewalk.

Harry: Hey sexy. What are you up to?

My cheeks became hot as I read over his new nickname for me before typing my reply.

Me: Walking home from the bus stop. You?

Harry: Make sure you're careful. It's dark out.

Harry: And just laying in my bed, texting you.

I smiled when I received both of Harry's texts but waited until I was inside the comfort of my home before sending my response.

Me: Made it in safely x

Harry: Good ;)

Harry: Lemme know when you get to your bedroom.

I furrowed my eyebrows as I read over Harry's text while ascending the stairs. He's taking this safety thing to a whole new level. I thought to myself before opening my bedroom door.

Me: Okay, I arrived there safely too.

Harry: Are you gonna change into your pjs now?

"Ahh," I hummed to myself when I realized what he was getting at. "Cheeky bastard."

I set my book bag down on my desk and walked toward my dresser while typing away on my phone.

Me: Maybe...why? Did you want a peek?

Harry: Well, since you're offering...

Harry: Fück yes.

Harry: I mean–please x

I proceeded to remove my work shirt from my body, leaving me only in my bra and jeans. I undid the snap on my pants and slid those off my body too, discarding all articles of clothing in the laundry bin before opening my dresser and searching for something cute to wear.

I selected a black undershirt with gold writing on it and a pair of blue shorts before unclasping my bra and changing into the shirt and pants. I tied the end of the shirt just above my belly button with one of my hair ties and then sent Harry a picture of myself.

Me: Picture message delivered

Harry: Holy shït. Babe you look so hot

I giggled when I read Harry's text and walked over to my bed before getting under the covers. I adjusted my body until I was laying in a comfortable position and contemplated how I should reply.

Me: Thank you <3

Me: I want to see a pic of you now ;)

I bit my lip in anticipation as I waited for him to reply. Not even a few seconds later my phone was vibrating in my hand, signaling I received a text, and I opened the picture message.

I covered my mouth to mask the sound of my gasp as I eyed the image closely. I couldn't believe Harry had gotten an erection just from the picture I sent him.

Harry: Like my loaded gun?

Me: Wow, it's really pointing up there

Harry: Yeah, I wish a certain someone was here to take care of it ;)

Shït. I squeezed my eyes shut as I tried to calm down my fast beating heart. I'm never going to be able to get any sleep at this rate. I opened my eyes again and sent him two texts before locking the device again.

Me: Maybe that person will one day

Me: Goodnight Harry x

My phone vibrated on my bed again and I turned it over to read the text message on the message preview system with a tired smile.

Harry: Night lovely <3

Author's Note:

Hey everyone. I hope you all had a lovely weekend. School has been exhausting lately because the quarter is coming to an end, but I will be on Spring Break from April 10-18. Hopefully, I can bust out some more chapters and get this story rolling faster.

As usual, feel free to vote, comment, share this story with a friend, or follow me. Also, slip into my Wattpad DMs if you ever want to chat because they're dry af.

Question for my readers: On a scale of 1 to 10, how excited are you to hear Harry's solo song on April 7th?

Oh lordt, as soon I saw his soaking wet body and green eyes, I was a goner. I cannot freaking wait until the single drops because his song is going to give me the momentum I need to win my debate at the Thurgood Marshall Courthouse. I just have a feeling that it's going to be a ballad.

—
Kaylandia