CHAPTER 3 BECOMING A PROBLEM
1273 Words
Pierce had just gotten home when his phone buzzed.
Unknown Number: Hi, thanks for tonight.
A slow smile curved his lips.
Pierce: No problem.
The reply came almost instantly.
Unknown Number: I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Emily. And you are?
He said her name aloud, quietly, as though testing it—Emily. The sound settled easily on his tongue, warm and right in a way that caught him off guard.
Perfect.
Pierce: I’m Pierce.
Another message followed without hesitation.
Emily: Okay, Pierce… I’d like to meet you tomorrow.
Her bluntness surprised him. Most people circled cautiously, hiding behind politeness and hesitation. Emily didn’t. And for reasons he didn’t fully understand yet, he found that refreshing.
Amusing, even.
Pierce: Sure. What time?
He set the phone down, staring at the screen long after the conversation paused, a strange sense of anticipation coiling in his chest.
Whatever this was, he had the feeling tomorrow would change something.
*******
Emily closed her apartment door and leaned back against it, pressing her palm to her chest as if that might calm her racing heart.
It didn’t work.
Her phone felt unusually heavy in her hand as she stared at the screen, debating with herself. She had never been this bold before. Normally, she would overthink every word, every possibility—but tonight, something about him had loosened the careful grip she usually kept on her emotions.
She typed before she could change her mind.
Hi, thanks for tonight.
The seconds stretched, each one tightening the knot in her stomach. Just as she began to regret it, her phone buzzed.
No problem.
She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding and smiled.
I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Emily. And you are?
Her thumb hovered over the screen after she sent it. Why was she nervous? It was just a name.
The reply came.
I’m Pierce.
She repeated it softly, a shiver running through her. The name fit him—strong, steady, dangerous in a quiet way. It made her think of leather jackets, midnight streets, and the way his eyes had darkened when he’d looked at her.
Before doubt could creep in, she typed again.
Okay, Pierce… I’d like to meet you tomorrow.
Her heart hammered as she hit send. Too forward? Too soon? She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself.
Then his response appeared.
Sure. What time?
Emily laughed softly, a breathless sound of disbelief escaping her. Excitement fluttered through her chest, bright and unfamiliar.
Tomorrow.
She dropped onto her bed, staring up at the ceiling as a smile spread across her face. For the first time since everything with Zack had ended, she didn’t feel weighed down by the past—or by expectations.
She felt curious.
Hopeful.
And just a little reckless.
Whatever tomorrow held, she had a feeling her life had already begun to shift.
Emily sat up, staring at the screen, chewing lightly on her bottom lip as she considered it. Too early felt eager. Too late felt like pressure. She glanced at the clock, then back at her phone.
Finally, she made up her mind.
Her fingers moved quickly, as if hesitation might catch up to her if she slowed down.
How does 5 p.m. sound?
She sent the message and immediately hugged a pillow to her chest, her heart thudding wildly. Five felt safe. Casual. Like coffee could stretch into something more—or end without disappointment.
She watched the screen, waiting, the seconds ticking by louder than they should have been.
The reply came after what felt like endless minutes.
Sure. I’ll pick you up.
Emily’s lips curved into a soft, happy smile. The words sent a flutter through her chest—unexpected, thrilling. She typed back quickly before she could overthink it.
Okay. Goodnight.
She placed her phone against her chest and lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling as warmth spread through her. Tomorrow suddenly felt closer than it should have, filled with possibility.
For the first time in a long while, she drifted to sleep smiling.
*. *. *. *.
THE NEXT DAY
The city lights blurred around them as the motorcycle sliced through the evening traffic. Emily rested her cheek lightly against Pierce’s back, her arms wrapped securely around his waist. Beneath her palms, she could feel the steady rise and fall of his breathing, calm and controlled, unlike the chaos racing through her own chest.
The cool wind brushed against her skin, carrying the faint scent of rain and gasoline. Somehow, with him, even silence felt comforting.
Pierce glanced at her hands around him and smiled to himself.
“You okay back there?” he called over the sound of the engine.
“Mhm,” she replied softly. “This is actually nice.”
“Nice?” he teased. “I was expecting terrifying. Near death experience and all.”
Emily laughed quietly. The sound made something warm stir inside him.
“Well,” she said, “you did almost kill me the first time we met.”
“Technically,” he replied, “you walked into the road.”
“You almost hit me with a motorcycle!”
“And yet here you are willingly riding one.”
She rolled her eyes even though he couldn’t see it. “Don’t ruin the moment.”
A grin tugged at his lips.
They stopped at a red light, and for a brief second the world around them seemed to slow. Neon lights reflected against the glossy black surface of his bike while music drifted faintly from a nearby restaurant.
Pierce turned his head slightly. “Cold?”
“A little.”
Without another word, he reached behind him and grabbed one of her hands, rubbing his thumb gently across her knuckles before placing it back around his waist.
Emily’s heart skipped.
The light turned green and they continued riding.
After a few more minutes, Pierce pulled into a quiet area overlooking the city. The view was beautiful. Golden lights stretched endlessly into the distance while the evening sky melted into deep shades of blue and purple.
Emily removed her helmet slowly and stared in awe. “Wow.”
Pierce got off the bike and took the helmet from her. “Thought you’d like it.”
“It’s beautiful here.”
“Not as beautiful as you.”
She looked at him immediately after he said it. His tone wasn’t playful this time. It was genuine.
And somehow, that made her nervous.
Pierce leaned casually against the motorcycle, his dark eyes fixed on her. The wind slightly messed up the loose strands escaping her messy bun, and he found himself wanting to reach out and tuck them behind her ear.
Dangerous thought.
Emily walked toward the edge carefully, staring at the glittering city below them. “Do you bring all your dates here?”
Pierce chuckled. “You’re my first.”
She turned sharply. “Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
“You expect me to believe that a guy that looks like you has never taken a girl out?”
“What does a guy that looks like me look like?”
Emily smirked. “Trouble.”
He laughed under his breath. “Fair enough.”
There was a brief silence before he spoke again, quieter this time.
“I don’t usually like people that much.”
The honesty in his voice caught her off guard.
“And me?” she asked before she could stop herself.
Pierce stared at her for a moment too long.
“You…” he stepped closer slowly, “are becoming a problem.”.
- Writer
