Page 13 of Mark Us Little Bear
“No need, Bradley will take you home. Get a nice shower andbreathe.“ The last word rings different. He smiles while caressing her cheek with the pad of his thumb. “I’ll make it quick.”
“Okay. Thank you.” She skips on her little feet toward the trashcan, throwing away her finished beverage. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.” She murmurs.
“Admit it,” I whisper in Ronnie’s ear, “You wanted her to say yes but you had to play a little tough. Good cop bad cop style.”
He grins at me. It’s wicked. Sexy. Inviting. And fucking sweet. “I’ll text you later.” He backs away, getting on his bike in slow motion.
“Text me when you get there.” I correct him with a smirk.
They say that bad things come in threes… we shall see.
Amber
After a short ride, we turn off the engines at the curb of their place. My eyes trail the medium-sized, creamy, brick building—a little different than the rest with arched windows and a dozen fire escapes. It looks a little old but classy.
A sense of peace settles within me and I take it as a good sign.
“It was renovated a while back—they went for a modern look but kept traces of its history. Luka’s parents owned it to my knowledge.” Bradley explains, signaling me to follow him. “They broke the wall between two apartments to expand it so Ronnie expanded the living room and the kitchen, kept one room, and turned the rest into a big bathroom with a bathtub. But you still have a shower on our side. His room is on the opposite side.”
Stepping inside the cozy lobby, I pass a few plants and a wide canvas painting on one of the walls. The elevator dings as it arrives and a family steps out with a teenage girl and a little brother in the mother’s arms, hurrying outside. It’s super late but it seems like an emergency.
Bradley stares at them, his features pinched tight. Seconds pass before he refocuses his attention on me. “After you.”
It’s a short ride to the third floor.
This is probably the best night I’ve ever had in New York. Thanks to them. Coming here a year ago was a big decision for a twenty-eight-year-old with no other set of skills other than doing hair. I guess I’m pretty damn good at it because it landed me a job at a salon but I’m not sure that this is what I want to do. I love seeing people smile when they walk out with a fresh haircut or fresh dye job, but when it comes to the long term, I’m still unsure.
But for now, I unplug that doubt, it’s a chore for another day.
Unlocking the door, he pushes it open and signals me to go in first. “Welcome home, Amber.”
It’s an open-concept apartment with a nice-sized kitchen on my left and a wide living room farther inside. But what catches my attention is the stunning view of the city outside, the endless buildings—it looks like a million stars peeking through their windows.
I gape at it until my eyes sharpen on a little head peeking from behind the backrest of their cozy couch. I close the distance between us to say hello to this little creature. He’s an adorable French bulldog with a beige fawn and a white trail along his belly. “Hey, you’re so adorable.” I pet his head, giving him a few good scratches behind his ears and he presses his head to my palm, asking for more.
“Teddy, meet...” Bradley calls, pauses, and mulls something in his head, “Am… ber.“ I can tell his gears are turning. “Bear this is Teddy, he’s a certified couch potato.” His eyes dance from mine to the cute dog. “Your name sounds like the word bear, I couldn’t have planned it better. Maybe you’re kindred spirits.”
He is quite entertaining with his witty comments and endless confidence.
“We shall find if you are my kindred spirit.” I stare at Teddy and pet him one last time before I follow Bradley down the hall.
He asks for my number and I give it to him. His fingers fly on his phone screen, “I just opened a group chat for us called Roommates.”
“Awesome.”
“So, the last room in the hall is yours. It has a bed and a few other things. If you need anything let me know, but I bet you’re tired and want to sleep.”
“Yup! That’s a great idea.”
He mirrors me as I nod my head. “I need a shower but go first if you want to.”
I bare my teeth with a silly smile and my nose crinkle, “I’ll make it super quick.”
“Knock yourself out.” I skip to where he instructs me after he brings me one of his t-shirts and a towel I can use since I have nothing of my own here yet.
What a wild night with two exceptionally handsome men. I still think it’s a dream and I might wake from it soon. I pinch my forearm as warm water cascades down my body.
Nope!
