It's time to start my new job and I'm super excited. I considered texting Lucas to see if we could go together, but things have been weird between us since the day I helped him with Nate.

I've texted him to check on Nate and although he has always been friendly, I feel like he is ignoring me. 

Or maybe I'm the one ignoring him. I don't even know anymore...

He has opened up about his past but I don't know anything about him, like where he works, his family, friends... Things with us are always too intense, too carnal... maybe I should take a step back. Even if all I want is to kiss him, to be near him.

Why aren't things easier? Why can't I feel as confident as I felt before Greg broke up with me? I wonder as I get to school.

All the teachers are already by the door waiting for their students, and I keep a smile on my face as I wait for the kids to arrive.

I came here last Friday to get the final touches for my class today. However, even though I'm early, butterflies are having a party in my stomach.

I have to take a deep breath as I make my way to my classroom.

"You seem like you're about to have a panic attack," John says, chuckling from behind me.

"Oh, my God, John! I'll be teaching for the first time today!"

"You're adorable." He laughs. "Just wanted to wish you good luck. I'm heading to my classroom now."

"Thanks. That means a lot." I smile at him.

"Alexia!" I hear someone shouting and turn just in time to see Nate running towards me. "Are you my new teacher?"

"Hey, Nate! So nice to see you're feeling better. No, I'm afraid Mrs. Davis is your new teacher," I say and kneel to give him a hug. When I stand up, I see Lucas is approaching us, his eyes fixed on John.

"I wish you were my teacher..." Nate says with a frown on his face.

"Me too! But guess what? I get to be your friend and your neighbor, remember?" I say as I show him my hand, reminding him of our pact.

"Yeah." He gives me a shy smile, and I stand up to greet Lucas.

"Hey," Lucas says, rubbing his neck.

"Hi, how are you guys doing?" I ask.

"We're good. Nate is feeling much better..." he says and his eyes dart to John, who is standing by my side.

"Well, that's great!" I clear my throat. "John, these are Lucas and Nate. They're my neighbors. Guys, this is John. He's a teacher here, too."

Both men shake hands but say nothing, just keep staring at each other. I don't know what to say, so I'm glad when Nate pulls Lucas's shirt. "Dad, can I go talk to Julia before class starts?" he asks.

"Sure, buddy, but be quick. Your class is just about to start," Lucas says, and before he is done, Nate is already running through the hall.

"Well, Alexia, I'll talk to you later. Maybe we could grab something to eat after class?" John asks.

"Sure." I nod.

"Great! I'll find you when classes are over. Nice to meet you again, Lucas." John says before walking to his class.

I turn to Lucas, whose eyes are fixed on John's back, and clear my throat. "Are you there?"

"I haven't realized how close you two are?"

"We're not close. We work together."

"I see. Well, uh.. I wanted to apologize for the other night. I feel like I haven't seen you in ages."

"Nothing to be sorry about. It's not like we're dating, so you and Clare can do whatever you want together." I cross my arms and take a step back.

"We're not together anymore. I broke things off."

"Oh?"

"Yeah..." He gives me a small smile.

"Okay." I clear my throat, not sure about what to say.

"Look." He takes a deep breath. "Would you like to go on a date with me?" he asks, his eyes so full of emotion, I realize in this split of a second, it's the first time he has asked someone out since Monica.

"Lucas..." I whisper, taken aback by the vulnerability I see.

"Please say yes." He smiles, looking right into my soul.

Unable to control my own giddy smile and my silly heartbeat, I don't have time to think and when I see it, I'm already freaking nodding yes.

"Sure. Call me later." I say before heading to my classroom, making sure to put a little sway on my hips.

*****

If someone told me teaching kids was the equivalent to running a marathon, I would say they were overreacting. But they'd be right. I'm mentally and physically exhausted. However, I couldn't be happier. The students responded well to the activities I prepared, and they were very warm to me.

For my first day, I couldn't be prouder of myself.

"Hi there." I hear John knocking on my door. "So, how was it?"

"It was great! Exhausting, but great! What about you?" I laugh as I finish organizing the room.

"My students were not so excited to be back to school, but I love those kids, so I guess it was all good." He leans by the door and puts his hands in his pockets. "So, are we still up for today?"

"Yes, I'm starving." I smile and take my bag.

"Won't Lucas mind if we go out together?"

"Of course not," I say, but wonder if I should text him.

"Well, let's get going then." He opens the door for me.

*****

Lunch with John was great. We have a lot in common, so we talked for hours before we realized it was already evening.

As soon as I get to my floor, I am surprised to see Clare and Lucas talking in the hall. My eyes go to Lucas and he doesn't even try to cover how surprised he is to see me.

"Clare, how are you doing?" I force a smile.

"Alice, right? I'm great, and you?" she asks, and I don't bother to correct her.

"It's Alexia," Lucas says, frowning at her.

"Oh, yeah! Sorry! Well, I have to get going. Lucas, see you on the weekend." She kisses his cheek and smiles at me before leaving.

I ignore his eyes as I open my bag to look for my keys, but I can feel the weight of his gaze on me. "She just showed up at my door. I didn't even invite her in." He stops in front of me and raises my chin, so I can look into his eyes.

"I thought you said you had broken things off... Why are you seeing each other this weekend?" I ask, hating how jealous I sound.

Yeah, guess this guy really found his way through my broken heart.

"We work together."

"What?" I gasp. I don't even know what he does for a living, and she freaking works with him?

"There is a company party this weekend I'm forced to go. She came here to ask if we could go together, and of course, I said no."

"I don't share." I hear myself saying, and he raises his eyebrows.

"Oh yeah? Good!" He presses his body to mine and slowly kisses behind my ear. "Because I don't share either." He bites my earlobe, making me sigh. "So tell me, Alexia, how did you spend your afternoon?"

"That's not fair... John is just a friend." I push his chest a little so I can look at his face.

"He wants you," he whispers.

"Are you jealous?" I smirk.

"Are you?"

"Touché!"

"It's been a long time since I asked someone out on a date; since I wanted to be with someone, to get to know her, to let her in..." He closes the distance between us until our foreheads are touching.

"I just got out of a relationship, maybe-"

"No maybes... I know I'm not alone here, right?" He touches his nose to mine, and all I can think about is how this feels.

Nope! He's definitely not alone here.

*****

It's the night of our date and I'm waiting for Lucas to pick me up. He didn't tell me where we're going so I had no idea what to wear. Lucas doesn't seem like a fancy guy, so I opted for dark jeans, a silk creamy blouse, and my favorite pair of red pumps.

I'm applying one more coat of mascara when I hear the bell.

Taking a deep breath, I enjoy the refreshing feeling of a first date.

"Hey, neighbor." I smile as I open the door.

"Wow! You look stunning."

"What? This old trap?" I smirk, looking at my clothes, and he chuckles.

"Your hair is different." He pulls me to him.

"Did you like my curls like this?" I hug his neck.

"Very much." He leans into me, touching his nose to mine. "I can't wait to kiss you," he whispers.

"Then don't," I whisper back, closing the small distance between us.

The moment my tongue touches his, he groans and grips my waist, pressing me against him. I shamelessly rub myself all over him and the primal sound that comes from his mouth is pure torture.

"Fuck." He stops the kiss but keeps his forehead on mine.

"Lucas..."

"You have no idea what you do to me, do you?" He holds my face, forcing me to look into his eyes. "I want you so much I-" He takes a deep breath. "But I'm doing this right. I'm taking you on a date. We'll talk... Get to know each other a little."

"What if I want more from this date?" I bite my lower lip, and his lusted eyes go to my mouth.

"Then... later..." He kisses me softly but way too fast for my liking. "I'm taking you to my bed and not letting you go until I've had my way with you."

"Deal." I let out a soft chuckle.

*****

"You really won't tell me where we're going?" I say as soon as I enter his car.

"Nope." He smiles.

"You're stubborn." I cross my arms but deep inside I'm as excited as a kid going to an amusement park.

"Yeah, says the girl who refused to pay for a car accident she created." He winks at me and I gasp, mocking him.

"What? How many times do I have to remind you you hit my car from behind?" I shove his shoulder playfully, but he just laughs.

"You know what I thought the first time I saw you?" he asks.

"No idea." I smile at him.

"When you opened the door of your car, I could feel how pissed you were. But then you got out and I thought: Wow, this girl is hot!" He laughs.

"You're such a man." I snort, shaking my head.

"And then you opened your mouth and that I-take-no-bullshit attitude was so refreshing, I just couldn't stop thinking about you since then. Not one day has passed since I met you, that I haven't thought about you." He blushes and I just want to go back to my apartment and be with him, but then I remember Clare and how they were kissing just a little after we met.

Am I ready to throw caution to the wind?

"I saw you and Clare kissing in the park that day I met her for the first time. Then she's at your place and you guys..." I look at him and he sighs, his eyes fixed on the road.

"Alexia..." He pulls over. "I'm not lying to you. Since Monica, I was never interested in a relationship, but it doesn't mean I was celibate." He takes a deep breath before continuing, "Clare is a nice girl... funny... but there was nothing more than sex for both of us. The moment I really got to know you, I thought I couldn't give you more than my friendship, so I did all I knew to forget how good you made me feel." He looks down.

"We were not together... You don't owe me an explanation, I just... I'm still mending a broken heart. I'm a bit insecure, I guess."

"But I want to give you one. I knew what I felt for you that first day we met was not simple. And I needed simple to keep sane. I didn't want to be thinking about you... But then the day you knocked on my door and saw her inside just wearing my shirt was like a kick in the gut, and I hated the disappointment I saw in your eyes." He looks back at me, and I see how sincere he is being.

"I hated seeing her there," I say.

"I know we don't know each other well, but I want you to give us a chance. I know the way I feel for you is different from anything I've felt before and..." He searches my eyes. "Say something," he whispers after a moment of silence.

"Let's get this date started, neighbor." This time I don't hide my smile.

I'm tired of overanalyzing every little detail of my life. He's a good guy. We're into each other. I'm not allowing a failed relationship to mess with my life anymore.

"All right." He chuckles before starting the car.

_____

A/N: Are you guys excited about their date too? 😍 Do you remember your first date ever? How did you feel? Let me know it all in the comments! 😃

Please don't forget to vote for this chapter and make sure you're following me here: CelesteABrook for news and updates. ❤️

xoxo

Celeste