TWELVE

Today happened to be free for me, I had enough time to do my laundry, clean a little and finally get some good books to read. Just when I was beginning to run out of things to do, my doorbell rang. I wasn't expecting anyone, so I walked down to the door, I wondered who it could be. I smiled seeing Wade through the intercom adjusting his looks outside my door.

"Is he trying to look good for me?" I shook my head after the weird question I had just asked myself. I blamed Char for putting thoughts in my head. Opening the door, Wade greeted me with a wide smile. "Wade"

"Wendy, hi" he greeted, still smiling. He must have been in a good mood, I guess.

"You need something?" I asked him, wondering why he was here.

He went silent, his gaze fixed on me, a playful smile on his face as he said in almost a whisper "You". I blinked a couple times, taken aback by his response. What did he mean by he needed me? "Calm, was fooling with you. I was just bored, thought I'd use your company"

"Ah" I said, but why was it getting hotter in here? He really shouldn't play around with things like that. Good thing was I was beginning to get bored and Wade had always been the best person for that so yeah "Sure, come on in".

Fun? We had loads of it, from board games which he had to go back into his room for to video games which we had to go play in his apartment because I had almost nothing at mine. Right now, we were playing a drinking game and he's really good at this.

We were both sat down on the floor in his living room, his round glass table separating us, alcohol on the table and a shot glass. My head was spinning but I still managed to continue, I couldn't bear to be the loser here.

"Let's try the two truth one lie game, you fail, you drink". He suggested, his head moving in circles or was it just me? A smile appeared on his face as his voice grew distant, was I falling asleep? I shook my head, trying to open my eyes wider no wanting to fall asleep yet.

"Fine!" I replied, my words sounded like they were slurred but I doubt that.

"I like you" he said out of no where, I almost got sober immediately. What was he saying to a drunk person right now? I smiled, stupidly. "I love the color black, I hate cheese". Oh, it was the game.

"Aha, you almost caught me there… of course it was the first". I replied, bending my head sideways, my eyes dim.as I awaited his response. He was quiet tho, instead of talking, he got up making me look up at him. Had he always been this tall? He walked over to me, crouching down to my height, his face inching closer to mine.

"Does it look like I don't like you?" He asked me, his tone serious. He held my face in his hands, inching even closer. Was he going to kiss me? Why am I not moving? Do I want to kiss him too? I'm sure I don't… there is no way I want to kiss Wade Spelman, my lead actor and friend. But why was my heart beating really hard in my chest?

Suddenly, everything went blank!

The morning sun pierced through the curtains, searing my eyes open to an unfamiliar room. Panic surged through me as fragmented memories began to piece together. My breath hitched when I saw Wade sprawled out on the floor. I clamped a hand over my mouth to stifle a gasp.

What the hell happened last night?

I scrambled out of bed, my heart racing as I scanned the room. The haze of alcohol was lifting, but I still couldn't remember everything clearly. I recalled the games, the laughter, the intensity in Wade's eyes, the way he had looked at me. My skin tingled with the memory.

I needed to get out of here, and fast. I tiptoed towards the door, each step a careful, calculated move. I couldn't afford to wake Wade. I couldn't face him, not after last night.

I reached the doorknob, turning it slowly, praying it wouldn't make a sound. But just as I began to open the door, a loud creak echoed through the room. I froze, my breath caught in my throat. Wade stirred on the floor, a soft murmur escaping his lips.

No. No, no, no. Please stay asleep.

Wade's eyes fluttered open, and I stood there, rooted to the spot, caught like a deer in headlights. His gaze locked onto me, first with confusion, then amusement, and finally, something deeper and more intense.

"Wendy," he murmured, his voice husky and edged with sleep. "Leaving so soon?"

I stammered, "I—I just... I need to go."

He pushed himself up from the floor, his tall frame looming over me. "Running away?" His voice was lower now, a dangerous allure in his tone that sent shivers down my spine.

"I... I don't know what you're talking about," I managed, my back pressing against the door, desperate to create any distance between us. The air between us was thick with tension, memories of last night swirling in my mind.

Wade took a step closer, the warmth of his body nearly touching mine. His eyes never left mine, searching, intense. "You were enjoying yourself last night," he murmured, his tone challenging.

"I... I was drunk," I whispered, but even to my own ears, my voice sounded uncertain.

A slow, knowing smile spread across Wade's lips as he closed the final inch between us. His breath mingled with mine, and I could feel the magnetic pull between us. "But were you really?" he whispered, his voice sending a thrill down my spine.

My resolve wavered. My heart pounded as I found myself leaning closer to him, drawn in despite my better judgment. Our lips were inches apart, and the air crackled with the promise of what could happen next.

Suddenly, the sound of his phone ringing broke the spell, and I jumped back, startled. Wade blinked, the intensity in his eyes giving way to confusion. Seizing the moment, I slipped out of the room, my pulse racing.

I darted out of his apartment, not daring to look back. I could hear Wade's footsteps and his voice calling after me, but I didn't stop. I couldn't. I reached for my apartment door and glanced over my shoulder one last time. Wade stood right there, his gaze fixed on me with a mixture of frustration and something else I couldn't quite place—longing, maybe, or regret.

With a shaky breath, I slipped through the door, leaving behind the heat of our almost-kiss and the unanswered questions that now hung between us like an invisible thread.

My mind raced with thoughts of Wade, Ivan, and the mess of emotions tangled between them. I knew I had to face everything sooner or later, but the idea was daunting. My phone rang, breaking my train of thought. Charlotte's name flashed on the screen. I picked up, eager for her familiar voice.

"Hey, Char," I said, trying to sound normal.

"Wendy! Spill. What happened last night? I know something did because I have this feeling," she demanded, her voice full of excitement and mischief. "You weren't picking up last night."

I hesitated. How could I explain the whirlwind of emotions from last night? "It's complicated, Char. I went to Wade's, we played games, got drunk, and... things got intense."

There was a moment of silence before she squealed. "Intense? How intense?"

I sighed, recounting the night's events, including the almost-kiss and my escape this morning. Charlotte listened intently, her occasional "oh my god" and "no way" punctuating my story.

"Wendy, you have to decide what you want. Ivan is head over heels for you, Wade is clearly smitten, and your career is booming. But you can't keep running from your feelings," she advised, surprisingly serious.

Her words struck a chord. She was right; I had to figure out my feelings, not just for Wade, but for Ivan too. And then there was my career.

Just as I was about to respond, my phone buzzed with a text from Ivan. *"Can we talk? I need to see you."* My stomach flipped. I couldn't keep avoiding him either.

"Ivan just texted," I told Charlotte, feeling a mix of excitement and dread.

"What did he say?" she asked.

"He wants to talk."

"Good. I tell you babe, I'm rooting for the rich, hot boss," she said, laughing. "But honestly, you can't keep avoiding this."

Before I could respond, my phone buzzed again. Another text. This time from Wade. *"Can we talk today? It's important."*

I groaned. "Wade just texted too. He wants to talk."

Charlotte's laugh was loud and infectious. "Oh my god, Wendy, you've got two guys after you. This is like one of your movie scripts! But seriously, go with your gut. And remember, if it were me, I'd totally go for the boss. There's something hot about a man in power."

I chuckled despite the tension. "Thanks, Char. You always know how to make things crazier."