Lucky Chance at Love: Sofia and Mark's Story

Chapter 3

Chapter 3 

While checking my emails in line at my favorite coffee shop, I hear the barista yell: “Sofia” 

Instantly, my eyes dart toward the pickup area and holy f**k, she’s here. I haven’t been able to get Sofia out of my mind. I cannot waste this opportunity. 

She’s in a cream, tight-fitting pencil skirt that hugs her hips nicely, and a striped cashmere sweater shirt tucked in with some very high stilettos that make her calves firm and her ass look relentlessly succulent. Her hair is in a low bun, sitting at her neck. I kind of want to let her hair loose and run my hands through her hair. 

I time my steps for us to coincide at the sugar and cream station. 

“Must be my lucky day,” I say out loud. 

Sofia does a double-take and flashes a smile when she notices it’s me. I feel her eyes wander down my body -she’s checking me out! When she takes notice, I have caught her sizing me up, Sofia blushing slightly. I’m so glad I have on my crisp white oxford shirt and grey slacks. My signature attire for work. Thankfully, she can see a different side of me - the professional side. 

“I could use some of that luck this morning,” Sofia says quietly. Maybe to herself, than to me. If I wasn’t paying close attention to her. I possibly would have missed it.

“What’s that?” I ask her, wanting her to elaborate. 

 “I present my research proposal to the Ferguson Grant committee today.” Sofia mentions. That explains why she’s a ball of nerves this morning.

She’s one smart cookie. I like that. The Ferguson Grant is a prestigious fund that awards research leaders the necessary funding for their proposals - it’s highly competitive. 

“Color me impressed, Ms. Sofia,” I reply, smiling widely. She smiles genuinely when I call her Ms. Sofia. Which I think it’s an appropriate nickname considering how she’s dressed. All she’s missing are the glasses for any teenage boy fantasy. 

“I’ll gladly share my luck,” I tell her in an effort to try to ease some of her nervousness.

“Why don’t you come tonight?” she asks/blurts out at me while stirring her coffee. I raise an eyebrow at her. I had the intention of asking her what her research was about but got sidetracked. 

“You want me to come?” I ask her, my smile turning mischievous. Sofia’s cheeks flush at the slip of her tongue. I don’t imagine that wasn’t her intention.   

“Now, where did your mind take you, Ms. Sofia?” I say, openly flirting now, but I drop my voice, becoming huskier. 

She lifts her eyebrows with a knowing glance. “Same place yours took you.” Sofia looks straight at me, then lowers her gaze to my lips and licks her bottom lip. 

I bark out a laugh. Sofia’s meeting me tit for tat.

“Nikky planned a drinking thing for me this evening. If I win the grant, it’ll be a celebration. If I don’t, then at least I can drown my sorrows.” Sofia continues. She looks at her watch: “I have to go. I don’t want to be late, but I expect to see you tonight.” 

“Text me the details,” I tell her as I give her my phone so she can input her digits. 

“Wish me luck… Mr. Mark.” Sofia kind of sings as she walks away. 

Internally, I groan. She’s trouble, I tell myself while shaking my head. 

*

I look up at the door. I can’t believe I’m actually here. I can’t believe I let her talk me into coming to this celebration - planned by Nikky, who clearly hates my guts. God knows why. I like Sofia more than I care to admit, but I don’t really know her, and it’s not like I’ll go somewhere. I feel coming here alone is an intrusion on my part. 

As I walk into the bar, any insecurities I had about coming tonight vanish when a radiant grin appears on Sofia’s face as she spots me. She immediately yells: “Mark, Mark,” waving her hand as I approach her. My heart skips a beat when I look at her. She looks stunning and her happiness is contagious. She changed her outfit from this morning. Now she has on a short dress with an open back. It sits just above her ass and hugs her hips nicely. Every asshole in this place will look at her tonight. 

“Hey, you came!” she says as she hugs me.

“Of course, I came. This is big. I wouldn’t miss celebrating with you.” 

“Well, the celebration part wasn’t a sure thing,” she shrugs. 

I lean down next to her ear and put my hand on her bare back - I feel her breath catch. She’s affected by me. I whisper, “Sofia, you should be very proud of your accomplishments. Winning that Ferguson Grant is a tremendous deal.” 

She looks at me with those big doe eyes that could bring any man to their knees, and I swear they wander down to my lips again, longingly. Very much aware that I still have my hand on her bareback. 

“Thank you,” she answers. “Come on, let me introduce you to everyone.” 

After meeting more of her friends and classmates- of course, getting the stink eye from Nikky again. Pete and Frank are here. We decide to play some pool. It’s a great distraction from the fact that I can’t seem to be able to keep my eyes off Sofia. My eyes keep wandering off to her. 

Marge, one of her friends I just met, says to the girls, “Let’s dance!” 

From the snippets I heard here and there, Marge’s a law student that has just gotten out of a messy relationship. 

Most of the boys are talking in a semicircle while the girls are kind of dancing together in front of us. Swaying their hips to the rhythm of the music. I notice there are a couple of guys around the bar hunting for someone to take home tonight. All of us fellas can see these guys eyeing the girls, but when they see us staring back at them, they get the idea: no way, José. Of course, I have no claim over her, but I still feel the need to make sure she isn’t uncomfortable. Well, at least that’s what I’m going to say to myself. Or so I think. Suddenly, I don’t know if it’s out of boldness or sheer stupidity. A guy approaches them:

“Hey, wanna dance?” He specifically asks Sofia. 

I can see her shaking her head no, but he persists. The guy tries to put a hand on Sofia’s lower back, almost on her ass, but Nikky–being the spitfire she is- smacks it away and yells, “Hey asshole, she said no.” 

Without thinking about it, I find myself approaching them. Sofia’s turning to walk away - she looks pissed - when she runs into me. I catch her shoulders to steady her. Sofia’s rattled; I would be too if I were her and some random guy thought he could just put his hands on me. Her eyes dart to mine and they soften. 

“You okay?” I ask her. Sofia nods. 

I step around her, place her behind me protectively, and face the guy.

“The lady said no, pal,” I say firmly, towering over him. 

“What the f**k man? What’s your problem?” he scowls. “I wasn’t asking you. I was asking her.” 

“From where I was standing, she already said no. Take a hike. I won’t ask again.” I stand straighter. I’ve got about 5 inches on him. I’m sure I can take him if need be. 

I feel my arm being tugged, pulling me out of a stare-down with this persistent imbecile. When I look over, I see it’s Sofia who’s attempting to pull me back. I need to reel it in, it’s her celebration night, and it sure as hell won’t make for a pleasantly memorable one if a brawl breaks out.  

I suddenly smile brightly. “How ‘bout a shot?” I ask the girls, knowing I need to lighten the mood. 

“Hell yes!” Marge says, doing an exaggerated air fist bump, and the others agree. I see relief -and if I’m not mistaken, a slight hint of admiring arousal- flash across Sofia’s face.