Rockstar Romance

FIVE

I take off my apron in the back room. Before I throw it in the laundry bin, I fish out the bill I got from Lucas. When I pull my hand from the pocket, there's two pieces of paper in it. Next to the bill, I just found a hand written note. I take a deep breath and sit down. So that's what he was doing when I heard him rummaging through his bag – he was looking for a pen and a piece of paper. I slowly unfold the note: It's a receipt from the grocery store down the street. As much as I wanna analyze his shopping right now, my curiosity for what he wrote is much stronger:

,That powdered sugar on your lips looked even more delicious than the donut! See you tomorrow?'

Heat starts flashing up my cheeks. What? Is this what I think it is? He is clearly hitting on me! Right?! This is all too much. I fold up the note and tuck it in my wallet next to Lucas' bank note. Slowly, like a sleepwalker, I grab my jacket and bookbag, say bye to Mel and walk through the mall. I had planned on running a couple of errands but that's not happening today. I just need to get home and process what in the world has just happened to me.

When I unlock my apartment door, Watson is already waiting for me. He greets me with what seems like an angry growl. But I have known him long enough to know that's just his way of showing he is happy to see me.

At least that's what I choose to believe.

I empty a can of his favorite cat food into his bowl and sit down at my kitchen table. The kitchen is by far my favorite place in the apartment. I spend most of my time here, since the table also serves as my desk. It's an old farmhouse style table that is way too big for a single person's household. But since it's constantly covered in books and papers, it's just the right size for me. Watson has already inhaled his food and comes over to get some cuddles. He jumps on my lap and curls up into a soft, purring ball of fur. I bury my hand in the downy black fluff and finally allow myself to go through the events of the day. What in the world happened? Was this another daydream? The note in my hand tells me otherwise.

,That powdered sugar on your lips looked even more delicious than the donut! See you tomorrow?'

Again I feel that warmth creep all over my body. It's a mix of shame (He watched me eat and noticed I made a mess) and excitement (for obvious reasons).

I can't believe he flirts with me so openly. I am not used to this. At all. I am not a flirty girl. And while I wouldn't describe myself as an ugly person, I am also not the type of girl that is liked by guys like Lucas. I don't care much for fashion or makeup. My hair is usually in a bun or ponytail. I wear whatever I find comfortable and practical and fun.

I smile unwillingly as I think of this morning's miserable daydreams – I could not have been any more wrong:

Our paths did cross, he did notice my existence, he did look at me and apparently – he IS interested.

But this... I mean... he basically just said I look 'delicious' to him? Right? I have to admit that I probably would have been disgusted by this comment, had it come from anyone else. But this is Lucas and he finds my lips delicious. I want to dwell on this thought a little longer but somehow, that second sentence is even more mind blowing: 'See you tomorrow?'

So... does that mean I am seeing him again tomorrow? I haven't even wrapped my mind around today yet and here he is telling me he is coming by to see me again tomorrow!

Dangit. I just realized I'm not even working tomorrow. Mel and I take turns working Sundays, so we each can get a day off every once in a while. Tomorrow was supposed to be mine. I frantically search for my phone and type in Mel's number. „Hello?“ She answers the phone almost immediately. At least I'm not the only one not following the hygiene protocol at the Parlor. We are not supposed to be on our phones during work. But I'm not complaining! „Mel? Listen, I need a favor... I am a little short on money this month and I urgently need some extra hours – would you be ok with giving me your shift tomorrow?“

Mel happily gives up her Sunday shift for me and I am on cloud nine. I prepare myself for a full on home spa treatment. First, a long bubble bath (listening to my favorite Frocks playlist – that's all Lucas' solo songs, obviously). As I soak in my tub full of blissfully hot water, enveloped in the smell of peppermint and eucalyptus, it hits me once again. The man this heavenly voice belongs to just asked me on a date! Well – maybe not exactly a date, but he wants to see me again! And I'm going to make sure he won't regret it. Determined, I slide down in the tub, until I'm submerged under water from head to toe.

I stay under water as long as I can hold my breath. When I come back up for air, Watson sits right next to me on the lid of the closed toilet with a concerned look on his face.

„Don't worry old boy“, I laugh, „mom's fine!“ I reach out to pet him but he quickly flees from the water droplets flying from my hand. I shampoo my hair and pick out my favorite conditioner: A delicious concoction of mango, coconut and some other yummy ingredient I can't quite place. It smells fruity and rich and packed full of life and energy. I let my hair soak in it for way too long, rinse it and, wrapped in a fluffly pink towel, move on to the next task on my 'journey to beauty' list.

I emerge from the bathroom about an hour later, smelling like a fruit basket, skin as soft as a mole's butt (that's what my granny used to say) and not a single hair in a place it shouldn't be. I even took time to blowdry my hair into some type of fringed style. It looks cute enough and I don't even care it will have to go up in a ponytail again tomorrow. I spend the rest of the evening listening to all my Frocks playlists while stalking all of Lucas' social media platforms. Unfortunately, his social media is kept quite formal. I am pretty sure he has some manager or assistent run his accounts. Professional photos, Concert dates, the odd fun fact about the band. But there is no personal touch. So all I have are the few minutes we shared this morning, along with my note. I stuck it between the pages of my journal that now sits on my bedside table. I am way too fidgety right now to write down a single word. My mind keeps revolving around his beautiful face, the cheeky, crooked smiles he gave me, and the curiosity that I am sure I saw in his eyes. After hours of tossing and turning and playing through every possible scenario for the next day, I finally fall asleep.