“Can I help you with something?” Luke asked as he stared at me.

“Um, hi, I was wondering if Sam was around,” I said nervously.

“No, Sam isn’t here.”

There was tone in his voice that suggested I was bothering him.

“Oh, I’ll catch him later then,” I said as I turned my back and started to walk back to my apartment.

“Wait, is there something you needed?” he asked.

I turned around and looked at him. Even though he was rude, he was sure as hell the sexiest man that I’d ever seen.

“I was just going to ask if I could borrow some coffee. I forgot to buy some yesterday, and being the caffeine addict that I am, I kind of need some, quick.”

The corners of his mouth curved into a tiny smile. “Come on in,” he said as he stepped aside.

As I stepped inside his apartment, I was shocked at how big it was. I guess being the end apartment has its advantages.

“What do you take in your coffee?” Luke asked as he opened the refrigerator.

“I drink it black, but that’s ok, I’ll just borrow some and make it at my place.”

“You said you needed coffee quick, and I have some made, so take this cup and drink it,” he growled.

“Ok,” I said nervously.

I looked around his apartment as I took a sip of coffee. It was spotless, and everything was in its place. The dark brown, leather furniture complimented the beige walls and a 65 inch TV was displayed on the wall. I was very uncomfortable, but I couldn’t leave until I finished my coffee.

“You’re one of the very few people that I know who take their coffee black,” Luke said out of nowhere as he poured himself a cup and sipped it.

I sat down on the stool in front of the kitchen bar. Luke was leaning up against the counter with his coffee across from me. My eyes couldn’t help but wander to his perfectly defined six-pack and sculpted V-line. He worked out; there was no doubt about it. I think it was time for my battery operated boyfriend and I to get reacquainted. I couldn’t help but notice the scar that went from his right hip and around to his back.

“Is there something wrong with me?” he asked.

Instantly, my eyes darted up to his. “No, why would you ask that?”

“I don’t know; it’s just the way you were staring at me.”

I wanted to die. I got lost in his body, and he caught me. I was so humiliated at that moment; I had to think of something quick.

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t staring at you. I was just thinking about something.”

“Thinking about what?” he asked as he walked closer and leaned over the counter in front of me.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw an acoustic guitar sitting by the TV. “Who plays the guitar?” I asked to quickly change the subject.

“I do,” Luke said.

“Cool,” I replied.

He walked over to his guitar and took it from the stand. As he brought it over and handed it to me, I looked at him in confusion.

“Here; play that song you were playing last night,” he said.

“You heard that?” I asked.

“Yeah, see my couch right there? That’s where your bedroom is.”

“Oh, I’m sorry if I disturbed you.”

“You didn’t; I was up anyway. Now, why don’t you play that song?”

I took the guitar from his hand and set it on my lap. I positioned my fingers on the strings and began to play. He took my empty coffee cup and filled it back up. He set the cup down in front of me as I strummed the song he wanted to hear.

“Who taught you how to play?” he asked as he leaned up against the wall.

“My father,” I answered as I strummed the last chord.

“What song is that?”

“A song my father used to sing to me. It’s called ‘Little Girl of Mine’.”

He looked at me with a blank expression. I handed his guitar back to him.

“Your turn.” I smiled.

“No! I’m not playing right now,” he growled and walked back into the kitchen.

I didn’t know what to say or think. One minute he’s being nice and the next he acts like I’m bothering him. He’s like a woman with severe PMS. I got up from the stool.

“Thanks for the coffee, and tell Sam I stopped by,” I said with an attitude.

He didn’t say a word to me; he just stared out the kitchen window with his hands pressed against the counter. I opened the door to walk out, and Sam was standing there.

“Hey, Lily. Good morning,” he said with a confused look on his face.

“Tell your friend in there he needs to learn some manners when it comes to women,” I snarled.

I walked back into my apartment, and Sam followed behind me.

“What the hell happened?” he asked.

“He’s just rude, Sam.”

Sam walked over to me and put his hands on my shoulders. “Listen, Luke’s really a great guy once you get to know him. He’s had a really rough year, and I’m trying to help him.”

“Yeah, well, so have I, but I’m not rude to people.”

“Trust me when I say to cut him some slack. He’s probably just nervous around you because you’re so beautiful.” He smiled.

I looked at him with a perplexed expression.

“I want to ask you something,” Sam said. “Can you give me Gretchen’s phone number?”

I looked at him again and shook my head as I put my hands up in front of him.

“Wait–wait–wait. Why do you want Gretchen’s phone number?”

Sam twisted his face. “I want to ask her out on a date,” he replied.

“A date?” I asked totally confused.

“Do you have a problem if I go out on a date with your best friend?” he asked while giving me a weird look.

“You’re gay; why would you want to date Gretchen? What about Luke? I don’t think he’d appreciate his boyfriend going on a date with a woman.”

Sam took a step back. “Whoa, wait a minute; you think I’m gay?!” He laughed.

A horrified look swept across my face. “Aren’t you?” I asked carefully.

“You thought Luke and I were a couple?!” he said still laughing.

“Oh my god,” I said as I turned away in humiliation.

Sam grabbed me and hugged me. “You’re so cute, Lily. I haven’t had a good laugh in a long time.”

I stood there with my nose pressed against his chest. I patted him on the back. “I’m glad I could amuse you.”

“Now, about that phone number.” He smiled.

“Hand me your phone,” I said as I held out my hand. I keyed in the numbers of my phone, Gretchen’s phone, and Giselle’s phone. “Just in case you ever need to get a hold of me when I’m not home.”

Sam smiled as he took his phone from me. A few moments later, my phone went off. I walked over to the counter, picked it up, and saw that I had a text message.

“Now you have my number if you ever just want to talk.”

I looked at him and smiled. “Get out of here, and go call Gretchen. She thinks you’re hot, but don’t tell her I said that.”

Sam winked at me and laughed as he left my apartment.

Luke

I was sitting on the couch when Sam came through the door and started in on me. “What the hell’s your problem, Luke?”

I looked at him as I took a sip of my coffee. “What the hell are you talking about, Sam?”

“You know what I’m talking about. Why do you have to be such an asshole to Lily?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said as I got up and walked to my bedroom.

Sam followed behind me. “Bullshit! You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

“Leave me alone, Sam,” I warned.

He walked out of my room and went into the bathroom, mumbling under his breath. I opened my drawer and noticed it was almost empty. Looking over to the corner of my bedroom, I noticed my laundry basket was heaping with dirty clothes. I can’t even remember the last time I did laundry. I picked up some clothes that were lying on the floor and shoved them into the basket. I picked up the basket and set it by the front door while I went to the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water. Sam came out of the bathroom just as I was walking out the door.