Warning: This is a slow burn novel that doesn't have much sex in it, especially at the beginning. Though there are temptations at the beginning, the actual sexual themes don't really get going until later on in the story. It's a bit different from one of my normal stories. If you are wanting really raunchy sexy, this probably isn't your story. This is much more of a love novel.
I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 1
As the winds came in, the leaves that were already losing their color fell from the trees before swirling through the air. What had been a warm Autumn was finally starting to change as a crisp smell in the atmosphere set in. But just like any other day, the sun rose and spread its rays on all the plants, roads, and buildings. And just as the sun awakened, so too did a young woman and a young man, to start another normal day in their separate lives.
Two souls, so close yet so far away. They both lived in the same city, yet had never met each other before. Their paths had probably crossed once or twice, but they were both so consumed with their own lives, they had no idea the other even existed.
The girl pulled herself out of her tent to stretch and take in the surrounding nature, despite her messy hair and her morning breath. The boy rolled around in bed a few times, hitting snoozing his alarms until he got the last bit of satisfaction he could achieve from staying under the covers.
She went into a public restroom in the park to wash her face with water and to throw her hair into a neat ponytail. He stumbled his way through his studio apartment until he made it to the restroom to shave and shower.
After making it back to the tent, she played some music on her phone while packing a couple of items for the day. Putting on his tie, he listened to some audio notes he had recorded that would help him with his work projects.
While she drank the lukewarm coffee she saved in a thermos from the previous morning, he drank the fresh coffee he brewed from his cheap machine. And while he decided to skip breakfast because he felt he was more alert on an empty stomach, she pulled out a half-eaten burger from her backpack that she had also been saving from the day before.
She walked to the burger restaurant, where she found a seat and popped open her laptop. He drove to his office, where he took a seat at his cubicle and turned on his computer. She pretended to smile as she posted selfies on social media, making it look like she was studying for class. He pretended to smile as others distracted him from his work so he could help them with theirs.
When she was done playing pretend on her computer, a small frown came over her face as she checked her bank account. She used her last few dollars to pay down one of several loans that were bearing down on her shoulders. She then let out a sigh as she went to the restroom, washed up a bit at the sink, and then put on her uniform so she could start her shift.
Once he was done pretending he didn't mind helping others with their projects when he had his own to worry about, an empty look came over his face as his supervisor asked him to stay late. He just nodded his head before letting out a sigh as he returned to his desk.
He and she lived close to each other, but he and she had never met. And even though they both thought they had things figured out, HE and SHE had no idea what was really missing from their lives.
***
Finally, back at his computer, the man took a seat and let out a deep breath before trying to figure out where he left off. However, after spending so much time helping others, he was having a difficult time getting refocused.
Suddenly, he became distracted once again as a pretty woman from the office walked past his cubicle. He tried not to stare too hard, but his coworker that sat closest to him noticed the way his eyes locked onto her.
"Hey, Dan... are you still interested in Jamie?" his friend, Todd, asked, grabbing his attention." You haven't really been talking about her lately."
Quickly taking his eyes off the woman, he now focused on his male coworker. "I'm still interested... but I doubt she is..."
"Do you guys even talk?"
"Yeah, but it's mostly work related... I'm actually staying late to help her today."
"I thought you were staying late because the boss told you to look over our stuff."
"Yeah, that too... but Jamie needs extra help. She asked me yesterday and I agreed."
Todd laughed for a second before rolling his eyes. "Man, you have to stop doing that."
"Doing what?"
"You need to stop being so nice to people. That's why you get taken advantage of. Start saying no every once in a while."
Daniel sat there for a second and contemplated the suggestion. Then, shrugging his shoulders, he responded, "No, it's fine. It's not like I had plans today, anyway."
"That's exactly the attitude people take advantage of," Todd pointed out. "And that's probably why Jamie isn't that interested in you."
Suddenly, Daniel's eyes lit up. "Wait... did she say she wasn't interested in me?"
"Not exactly. I've just heard that she and Chaz have been talking a lot lately."
"Chaz?" the man repeated with a confused look. "That can't be right. Isn't he married?"
"Not everyone has the same moral code that you do. Unfortunately for you, girls are more interested in dirtbags like him than they are pushovers like you."
"Thanks, Todd," Daniel quietly responded as he nodded his head. "You really know how to cheer a guy up."
"I'm only telling you what you need to hear. Come on, Man. You're thirty-years-old and you're single. You also do the most work around here and you've never been promoted. Isn't it possible that
you're
the one with the incorrect line of thinking?"
"I guess... but maybe my fortune will change someday..."
Suddenly, the woman they were just speaking about, Jamie, stopped at Daniel's desk, almost startling him. Playing with her long dark hair, she looked down at him and smiled.
"Uh... hi, Jamie..." Daniel greeted, rotating himself in his chair towards the voluptuous woman.
"Hey, Daniel... I have a question for you."
"Yeah, what's up?"
Still twirling her hair, she smiled at the man as she made her request. "I was just wondering... would you like to go out for dinner tonight? You know, since you're going to be helping me with my work and all, I figured I could treat you."
"Uh... treat me?"
"Yeah, it's the least I can do after all the help you've given me."
"Um... sure... That sounds great, actually."
"Great! There's this awesome sushi place nearby. Would you like to check it out once we are done?"
"Yeah, I like sushi..."
"Okay, great!" the cute woman responded before waving goodbye and heading back to her cubicle.
Todd, who had watched the whole thing unfold right before him, needed a moment to gather his thoughts. "Well, that was quite surprising," he started, chuckling to himself. "Maybe you're not hopeless after all?"
Although Daniel was a little red in the cheeks, he just shrugged his shoulders and spoke nonchalantly, "Yeah, we'll see how it goes."
"Don't fuck this up, Man," Todd said as he quickly changed his demeanor. Pointing straight at Daniel with a serious look in his eyes, he continued, "No more Mister Nice Guy tonight, okay? This might be your one shot with Jamie."
"So what does that mean? Do you want me to be a scumbag?"
