Dayne
"Come on we can't afford to be late." He guided me with his hand on my back. His hand felt warm and his touch gave me butterflies in my stomach. I just stared at him still in shock as he ran to his side of the car and got in.
I was still staring at him all baffled when he said, "Seat belt." I heard him say it but my thought processes are lagged due to shock and is still in "buffering" mode to decipher anything right now so I continued to stare blankly at him.
"What?" Was the only word I could get out. My brows furrowed, not understanding anything.
He turned to me with barely hidden amusement then he leaned closer. I could almost swear my heart was going to jump out of my chest any second with his closeness. What is he going to do now? My thumbs began their wrestling match again, as they usually do when I get so nervous. Is he going to kiss me? Oh, my! What will I do if he kissed me?
Then I heard a clicking sound and realized what he actually did. "Safety first. Can't drive without you strapped in your seat securely now, can I?" He said still leaning close to me. I can smell his cologne and his minty breath the ones that are distinctly Brian, fresh and clean and masculine. He smells so good, I can't think straight. I did not even notice when he started the car but we were already moving when I glanced out the window.
"So, did you sleep well last night?" He asked glancing my way, flashing me his sweet and genuine smile. Thumb wrestling still in progress here. How can this guy act so cool and nonchalant and relaxed while I am in shambles, with my neck muscles so stiff that I could almost swear it would break if I tried to move it? I can't seem to meet his eyes for long, afraid they'd be able to see what my heart has been trying to hide and deny even to myself.
"Uh, yes. Yes, I did," smiling self-consciously I answered him keeping my eyes on my thumbs as they wrestle non-stop. Then I felt my face blush as images of him carrying me to bed flashed in my head but had to muster the courage to thank him somehow. "Uhm, I just want to say thank you for last night, Brian. What could have been a tragedy ended out differently. You helped me when I should be the one helping you. So, thank you." I finally mustered enough courage to raise my eyes to him to show how sincere I am.
"It's my pleasure, Dayne. It was nothing compared to what you agreed to do for me. I'm just happy that I have you now as my friend. It used to be just me, you know. Now there's you, too." He glanced my way briefly smiling. Then he went on to say, "And so, I have decided, to show my gratitude to you, by being the best boy friend in the world. From now on, I will give you a ride to and from the office. Make sure you eat decent meals and on time. Help you escape Double S's radar to enjoy your coffee breaks. We could also play scrabble every night and I'll even let you win sometimes," he wiggled his brows and chuckled teasingly. "How does that sound?" He once again glanced my way briefly. Looking like he was really serious about his proposition.
"You want to be my.... boyfriend?" I asked dumbfounded and wide-eyed.
"Out of the many good things I just said, that's the only thing you got, Dayne?" He asked acting as if I hurt him. "Yes, why not? I want to be your boy.... friend," he paused in between the two words for emphasis. "As in your male friend. But if you want me to be your boyfriend, we could work on that as well. I'll let you woo me, no problem with that. I'm not picky." He was very much amused at my presumptuousness that he was grinning like a dog.
I felt so stupid and utterly embarrassed. How can I even think that Brian would want to be my boyfriend when I am helping him practice for some other girl he is so much smitten with? Stupid, stupid, Dayne! Why is there no eject button here somewhere so I can just be gone with just one push. Ugh!
I tried to laugh at myself but which sounded forced and fake even to my ears and threw my arms in the air. "What can I say, a girl can dream, right?" Brian just chuckled at my quip, sparing me from further embarrassing myself by not pointing out my fake laugh which he surely noticed. "But seriously, you don't need to do the things you just said to be my boy...friend, Brian," also pausing for emphasis between the two words while smiling. "Being there when we need each other is enough. You fed me, brought me home, entertained me, comforted me, cleaned after me and put me to bed last night. And I can't even thank you enough for turning my awful day around. If that isn't being a great boy friend, I don't know what is." I told him matter of factly.
"Yes, doing that would indeed make me a great boy...friend," the emphasis again. "But you forget, I don't intend to be just a great boy...friend. I want to be the best boy...friend. There's a world of difference between the two. So, no, I cannot agree with you, Dayne." He finished while he parked the car in the underground parking in the office building. "And we're here girl...friend." He said in an amused tone as he pulled on the hand brake. I laughed and thanked him for the ride. We both got out of the car and headed for the elevator and to the office.
As soon as I sat on my desk, a stack of documents with a list of things to do in Double "S's" handwriting was already waiting for me. "Okay, okay. I'm on it, Double "S"," I muttered to myself as I sat down to start my once again toxic day. I was still buried in work when I heard someone clear his throat. I looked up and found Brian leaning on the door frame with arms across his chest. His brows furrowed. "Oh, is it lunch time already?" I asked having lost track of time. Jeez, what else is new?
"Yes, usually it is for normal people like me." He eyed me as I remained on my seat. "Do you want me to bring lunch here instead? 'Coz I can do that, if you want." He straightened as he said this ready to bolt out.
"Oh, no. You don't need to do that, Brian. I'm coming." I said as I stood up and headed in his direction. "Sorry, I lost track of time again." I said as I was already walking beside him.
"It's okay, girl... friend. That's what this best boy... friend ever is here for." He said as he turned to look at me and wink. I chuckled at his playful antics. Seeing this side of this man, his sweetness and thoughtfulness plus his sense of humor, make him that much more endearing, and it scares me to think that we'll get even closer with the way things are going now. I can almost be certain that I'll be a heaping mess when all this comes to an end.
But you know what, I think I'll make the most of this while it lasts. At least I'll have these beautiful memories of our time together when it all ends. "Come on now, best boy... friend. Ever. Sorry, almost forgot that last bit of your job description." I giggled, which made Brian laugh. "Feed me. I just realized I'm famished." I said as I pushed all the disturbing thoughts of earlier aside and walked alongside Brian, who took my hand in his, finally allowing the happiness in my heart to seep through my veins and light up my entire being.