Starbucks

Wrenly POV

I was so embarrassed by what had happened with Decker. When he whispered those words in my ear, it was like I was back in that car. I know he didn't know what he was doing would trigger me. I treated him so horribly. I'm sure he ran back to Natalia's bed. Truthfully, I think that night was just an alcohol-fueled fluke.

I have done my best to avoid Decker at work. I have seen him a few times around the office, but I can't get the nerve to talk to him. When I see him, I literally run the other way and hide in my office.

I know he must be upset with me for leading him on that night. I seem to have a habit of doing that. I should have been smarter when I met Carter. That was the actual name of the man who I had been assaulted by. If Decker ever finds out about that night, he will never want to be with me again. Alcohol or not.

After Decker and Teddy left that night, I spent the rest of it in Trevor's arms, apologizing for ruining his date and crying myself to sleep.

I was sitting at the Starbucks across the street from the office with Maria.

"So, how have you been? You seem to be keeping to yourself lately," Maria asked, nibbling on her scone.

I took a sip of my Mocha. I wanted to tell Maria the truth. I knew that it would be good for me to share what's been going on with someone else. I shouldn't put everything on Trevor's shoulders.

I mean, my father won't even talk to me about it. Plus, the voice in my head has been more persistent. I don't think I'm going insane. People talk to themselves in their heads all the time. It's not like it's telling me to kill people or to hurt myself. It's the opposite, actually. It's encouraging and quite cathartic.

"I've just had a lot on my mind."

"Ah-huh. Is it that hot, intern? Because I can see how one's mind can be preoccupied with thoughts of him. He is smoking hot. I do, however, think he might be gay."

"Gay? Decker? No. No way."

"I don't know Wren. Not only have I, and many of the other females in the building, tried to catch his attention. Shayla from accounting, her skirt gets a half inch higher every day and her neckline a half inch lower, and she can't seem to turn his head."

"Really? But Shayla is absolutely stunning."

"Like I said, gay."

"Maybe he already has a mate."

"Mate? What is he a werewolf? Please tell me he's one of those hunky sexy werewolves." Maria gave me a wink and a smile. "Have you ever read those books? What if they were true? Would you ever date a werewolf? I would totally date a hunky sexy werewolf."

I squinted my eyes and gave her an Are you fucking kidding me look. "What? A werewolf? How many books a week do you read? No, I'm quite sure he is one of those human hunky sexy guys who isn't a one-woman guy."

Maybe he's waiting for you to come to your senses and give him another chance. He is never going to want to see me again. I bet he thinks I'm an emotional basket case. Not to mention a Cock tease. He's not in it for the sex. Not that it would be a terrible thing to have a little safe sexual activity with him. Yeah, you do have a point.

"I know that he was seeing a girl named Natalia, so he is definitely not gay. Plus, Trevor would have told me. He has the world's most accurate gaydar."

"I wonder if he's got a big cock?"

"MARIA!"

"What? Like you're not wondering the same thing."

We already know, don't we, Wrenly? And the things he can do with his fingers, and holy fuck can he kiss. I'm trying to not think about it.

I let out a sigh. "Well, look at him, he must, but I'll never know. I'm not his type. I'm too short, too fat, too unstable, and too related to the boss."

"You need to give yourself a little credit. You are incredibly beautiful, and guys like short girls; they think that they are super cute, and the two of you would be super cute together."

She's right. You two would produce the cutest pups. Pups? I'm not a Golden Retriever. What the hell?

"Thank you for the compliment, Maria."

"Come to think of it, I have never heard you talk about any guys before. No gossip about dates, good or bad. You don't have a secret husband, do you?"

"I'm not big on dating. I would rather have an arranged marriage. Less work and hopefully a background check. Someone asked me if I believed in soulmates. I really wish that I did. I mean, do you?"

"Hell, yeah, I do. It doesn't have to be a romantic partner, either. I know that mine is my best friend of thirteen years. I mean, it would have been nice if it was a romantic partner, but I know that my bestie will never leave me."

"I never thought of it like that. I guess it's possible."

Maria put her hand on mine. "Do you even want to find yours if they are out there and it is a romantic partner?"

"Honestly? I don't know. I haven't been lucky in love, and I am beginning to think that maybe I should give up and look into the convent."

She threw her hands up in the air. "Oh, come on! Why don't we go out tonight? Me and you, a bar, lots of drinks, and a lot of hot guys. I'm sure there will be one guy worthy of your attention."

"Maria, I don't..." I stopped as my eyes became glued to the door.

"Wren? What's wrong?" Maria turned to see what had caught my attention, and there was Decker. He was wearing a fitted black suit and a candy apple red tie; his hair was messy but sexy, and he had just the right amount of stubble; his lips were full, and they were curled into a smile as he looked at me. "Oh. I see. I guess he's not gay because he is totally eye fucking you."

"Thanks for the coffee, but I need to get back. I have a lot of work to do." I quickly gathered my things and headed for the exit.

"Wrenly, wait, I'll go back with you!"

"Wrenly," Decker said as she tried to push past him, but he stopped her. "Please, talk to me. I need to know what I did or said. I can't stand this silent treatment. I can't sleep knowing that you are mad at me."

I looked up into his eyes. He did look tired.

Tell him we missed him. Tell him that he's all we think about. Tell him Wrenly! I want to be with him and so do you! Shut up. I can't. He must think that I am crazy. Fuck I think I'm crazy.

"I've got to get back to work. Let me by." I was getting embarrassed. We were starting to draw the customers' attention.

He put his hand on my arm gently. "Not until you talk to me."

"Move. Now. I am not going to ask again."

"Wren--"

"Move." I was angry. What didn't he understand? I felt as if all my anger was being channeled into my arms. It was a tingling, burning feeling. I pushed him, but this time, I knocked him into the wall about three feet back.

He looked as shocked as I felt. "What the fuck?" I mumbled. I took this opportunity to get the hell out of there.

Maria had watched the whole situation, and she ran over to Decker. "Are you alright? Did you let her knock you over?"

Decker stood up straight and fixed his suit. "No. I didn't want her to leave. I have no idea what happened. She pushed, and it felt like I had been slammed into by a linebacker."

"Maybe she was just full of adrenaline, like those moms who pick up cars off their children."

Decker rubbed her chest. "I guess that could have happened. Your name is Maria, right?"

"That's my name."

"Maria, I need to talk to her. That's all I need to do. I need to have five minutes with her."

"I don't know what you want me to do."

"I don't know. Can you call me next time she is held up in her office? I know she has been spending almost her entire day in there."

"Yeah, but... I don't want her mad at me. She just threw you into a wall."

"Please. I'll owe you one."

"Really? Can you get me a date with Jordan in accounting?"

"Done."

"Deal. I'll call your desk next time she is held up."

"Thank you so much." He hugged her. Maria stood there, frozen in place.

Maria walked into my office carrying my coffee. "Hey, are you alright? Is there anything I can do? Is there anything you want to talk about?"

For some reason, Maria smelled sweet and like freshly baked bread and red wine. She smelled like Decker.

Why does she smell like Decker? She smells like our Decker. You're right. She does. Why does she smell like our Decker? I mean, she smells like Decker. He's not our Decker. Are you trying to hide your jealousy from me? Haven't you learned that you can't hide from me? Maybe, but I can block you out. Or so you think.

"No. I'm fine. I just realized I was late for an important call."

Maria shut the door behind her. "I know your schedule and you did not have a call set for today. In fact, I know it is an exceptionally light day for you. Now, tell me, what's going on between you and Decker? You... somehow... launched the man into a wall."

"First of all, I have no idea how I was able to do that. Second, stay out of my Google calendar. Third, there is nothing going on between Decker and I."

"Oh, please. I'm blonde, not blind. What's really going on, and are you hitting that?"

"I am not hitting that." I wanted to tell her what was going on. Not about the voice in my head.

Yeah, I wouldn't do that.

"What I am about to tell you isn't for public consumption. I mean it."

"It's that bad?"

"It's not good."

"Okay, the only people who know this are my father, Trevor, and the criminal justice system."

Maria's eyes grew wide. She nodded her head slowly. "Okay. I won't tell a soul. Maybe my cat, but she's not a gossip."

I couldn't help but smile at her. Then I took a deep breath and started from the beginning. "It all started when I went on this dating app and met a man named Carter Burton..." Her facial expressions changed at least a dozen times. I cried at some points; I laughed with her at others. It felt so good to share my story with her. Now. I had a girlfriend to talk to. "...And then he left my apartment. You saw him this morning, and what happened, and that is the entire story from A to Z."

Maria sat there, unable to speak. I knew that she didn't know what to say and that was okay. I'm not sure what I would say if I was in her position. When she did speak, instead of saying I'm sorry that happened to you, she said, "Is there anything I can do to help you? What can I do to ease some of this weight you carry?"

It was then I knew I had shared my story with the right person. Maria was the kindest person I knew. Don't get me wrong; Trevor is wonderful, but there is something different when it's a girlfriend.

"Thank you. I guess if you just let me come to you and talk, maybe get some advice and stuff, that would be great. I could use some womanly advice on things, and maybe we can binge The Masked Singer and eat pizza or ice cream or whatever girls eat when they get together."

"Well, can I give you some unsolicited advice?" Maria asked.

I was a little confused, but-- "Sure. I guess so."

"Talk to Decker. You must tell him why you rejected him so... aggressively, and you may want to apologize for throttling him into the wall. However, the fuck you managed to do that."

I wonder how I did that. Magic or something? "I don't want him to reject me. I am soiled. Damaged goods just like Carter said I was."

"Look, from what you have told me, Decker may have been a dick in the past, but if what you said was true about how he treats you now, he won't reject you. Not because of your past."

I like her. This girl is legit. I have to agree with you on that one. But I still don't know if he will accept me. He will. Trust me on this. Why are you so positive about this? Because I know things.

"I'll think about it. Thanks, Maria." I stood up and gave her a tight hug. "What is that perfume you have on?"

"I don't wear perfume. Why?"

"You smell like cotton candy."

"Really?" She looked at me like she was studying my face. "I swear I'm not smuggling cotton candy."

"Maybe it's your shampoo or something."

She slowly nodded her head. "Yeah, maybe it's my shampoo." She walked back towards her desk. She looked back and spoke. "Talk to him. Do it sooner rather than later."