HARLEM
I woke up the next morning feeling so refreshed; ready to start this vacation properly. I was almost certain I had a dream that Ezra Roth was here. Worse; we got along. I snort at that and brush my teeth. Almost as if to spite me, the flashbacks start pouring into my head at an alarming rate. I stop brushing and my eyes go wide as I stare at myself in the mirror; that wasn't a dream. Fuck me.
The realization that I found out he isn't getting married anymore, ringing in my head. Also, the gentle way he brushed my hair back and the look in his eyes under the moonlight as he stared into my- Stop! I am NOT going there.
I finish brushing and run back to my bed, face flaming hot. I cannot believe this is happening, I feel so weirdly hot and I press my cheeks between my palms, feeling the heat bloom under my skin. I groan into my pillow as I remember how I burst out my discomfort of him being married and giving me gifts. I'm sure he thinks I got it bad for him. The last thing I want to do is to increase a man's ego any bigger.
I turn and look around my room which is pretty big with its queen-sized bed, floor to ceiling patio doors, jacuzzi, mini walk-in closet and the large LED Television with chairs and tables around it. The warm lights and luxurious aesthetics calm me down; there's nothing to be ashamed of because I'm on vacation and I can always avoid him. I smile to myself, yes that's what I'm going to do. I'm an avoidant and shameless.
I hear a knock on my door and open it to see Briannon staring back at me with a sleep mask on. Her room is beside mine.
"We are going to get breakfast at the restaurant together. You coming?" she says yawning. Hell no.
"Uhm, I think I'll hit the gym actually and order room service. You guys can go on ahead without me." I smile at her and she nods trudging back to her room. Bless the Lord for my excuse reflex and how efficient it is. I realize that maybe going to the gym wouldn't be so bad, especially to avoid Ezra.
I put on my gym wear which is basically my gym spandex shorts and a matching top. I carry my Stanley, my headphones and my phone. After asking a staff member for directions, I find the gym and do my sets. I can work with medium heavy weights so I use them for my glute and arm day. There are not so much people in the gym today but it's still full.
I sit down and drink water when I'm done; noticing how busy I've been since I last did a good workout like this, when Ezra walks in. I sigh to myself and stare at him, he's like attached to me at this point.
He looks around and spots me, he smiles and starts walking up to me. My heart beats rapidly at the sight of that left dimple as he sets his eyes on me. Someone calls out to him and he stops walking and turns. A very tall and handsome light skinned with curly hair and mischievous eyes walks up to him and places his arms around his shoulders laughing at something while Ezra rolls his eyes playfully at him.
I realize I could have escaped a while ago, even though they're standing in front of the exit, and I look around for any other opportunity and come up short.
I look back at Ezra and he and the guy turn to walk my way. The guy spots me and instantly smirks. Uh-Oh, it's giving high school.
They walk up to me while I'm still seated down and I stare up at them as they stand in front of me. I avoid Ezra's eyes entirely.
"Miss Tamrin. A pleasure to meet you, I've heard so much about you; I feel like I know you personally." He says and I stand and shake him. I smile at him. Is that so?
"I highly doubt it. But a pleasure to meet you as well. You are..." I ask awaiting his response.
"Tyrone Usraine, but you can call me Ty. Honestly Miss Tamrin, you are even more beautiful in person and can I just say; your play was exquisite. Such talent is rare to find." I smile honestly at him. Okay he definitely won me over.
"Please call me Harlem and thank you very much, where did you see it?" I ask him curiously.
"Oh, my best friend invited me. Right Ez?" Ty says and tuns to him who is still staring at him. He blinks and clears his throat. "Yeah." He mutters glancing away.
"That's nice. I do wish we could've met on the day though, would've given you my autograph." I smirk and Ezra looks at me again, and is that a smile I see from my peripheral vision?
Ty laughs and smiles. "God, you really are something. Well, I do hope we can meet again Miss Tamrin, but the workouts I came to do are waiting for me and I'm happy we're in the same vacation spirit together. What a coincidence though, wonder how that happened. But as always, the pleasure is mine. Adios." He says shaking me again, winking at 'Ez' and walking off.
Ezra closes his eyes exasperatedly and sighs, then turns back to me. He takes me in slowly and I try not to wither at the heat in his eyes. He steps closer "I met the others in the restaurant. Noticed you weren't there but it's a coincidence running into you Harlem. Again." he says. Uh-huh, sure.
I fold my arms and smirk, staring at him. We stare at each other without saying anything and he swallows slightly.
"What are you doing now?" he asks
"What does it look like I'm doing?" I retort.
He smirks as well and comes even closer to me, lowering his head. Pairs of wings flutter in my stomach and I hold eye contact, not backing down.
"Let's have dinner by 6." He tells me. I pause and I stare at him; he's serious, but it's scary how serious he is because I can't tell what the hell he wants with me. I decide it's not the best idea right now.
"I'm busy by 6." I retort hesitantly again. He sighs.
"It's a vacation Harlem. What are you 'busy' doing?"
"Stuff. Like working out and other things. But you'd know if you didn't interrupt" I lie.
"You're avoiding me, aren't you?" he ignores my comment and states with a smirk. It's my turn to scoff.
"Avoiding you is tedious, and I'm on vacation." I tell him proudly and break eye contact barely brushing him as I bend to pick my things and he doesn't give me space.
"Do you mind?" I ask him. He takes a small step back burning a hole with his green eyes through me.
"Thank you." I make the mistake of patting his arm but literally touch a brick. Christ, that's a lot of muscle.
He tenses under my hands and stays still. I slowly pull my hand away, careful not to give off how affected I am by the feel of his body beneath my palm and quickly walk away. I see Tyrone watching us with a small smirk and he salutes me as I walk out. I give him a small smile and bolt to my room.
Great. How am I supposed to vacate when I keep seeing him everywhere?