Inspire: Book One (bxb) ??

I sat at our local coffee shop after another few days in hopes the change of environment would help me finish this book. Leaving things incomplete made me itchy, so when I was done with it, I was going to put writing down for a little while.

I had some severe reevaluation to do when considering my life. Like more important priorities or something. I didn't know, honestly—I had a very small priority list. I loved my job at my Dad's bookstore, I had my own apartment, and I was doing fine. But sometimes I felt like I should be doing more.

Part of me wondered if people were just watching me settle for the things I did in life, but I was happy. Mostly. Okay, I wasn't happy at all, but that had nothing to do with my career or living arrangements.

Some of us wanted a simple life.

Not everything needed to be complicated.

Someone sat in the chair opposite of me, and I jumped like I saw the boogeyman. Not a far off assumption considering our last conversation a few days ago. I hadn't seen him since then, and now, here he was again, sitting there without a care in the world.

Well, Sage probably had cares in this world. I only didn't know what they were because he was a mystery to me. And somehow, not a mystery to me at all. How confusing for my poor brain.

I stared at Sage while he carelessly sipped his coffee, staring out the massive window to our left. Did he contract memory loss? Oh, were we doing the amnesia trope? If so, I wanted to tell him that we were happily married and lived together with three cats.

I'd have to quickly find three cats, but I could manage. God, he was so beautiful. Like an angel personally kissed him several times and then sent him down to Earth. Dark brown hair with brown eyes like whiskey. Not dark eyes, but eyes that reminded me of excellent decisions and happy futures.

My eyes traveled down to his neck where I spotted a single freckle. Was it bad that I kind of wanted to bite it? Probably. He was off-limits, but like—then I started to wonder what kind of hugs he'd give. He had more of a medium build compared to my lankier one. I bet his hugs were warm. I bet he was warm.

Hell, I bet he was the world's best cuddle buddy. Not that I'd ever find out. Sue me, I was a cuddle person. Xena cuddled me when I was sad, and that was a time I preferred being held the most. When I was sad. Oh, and when I was sick. Actually, I preferred to be held when I was sick far more than when I was sad.

I probably was the person who gave a definition to the words man-cold. Because I turned into a giant baby who craved affection when I was sick. Xena would need a minimum of a three day absence from me after I'd been sick. That was how clingy I managed to become.

How did my thoughts derail that fast? Why was Sage sitting here? And why wasn't he like... saying anything? Not that I was wearing my devices, but I knew how to read lips. He clearly knew that.

I should probably apologize, right? Yes. I already knew the answer, but I hated apologizing. Who enjoyed it? Not a single human on this earth.

Reaching out, I tapped the table for his attention. With the coffee cup still held to his lips, he turned his head to meet my gaze. Damn it, I'd get lost in his eyes if he'd let me. They were truly like warm whiskey.

Since he didn't know how to sign, I was defeated to putting in my devices. I cringed at the feedback as it took me a second to get used to. I preferred the quiet. Even if I could still hear the distant noises happening around me—it was still low and comfortable.

I blinked, watching him slowly set down his cup. "Are you stalking me?" Mm, maybe someone should remove my voice box. I didn't seem to be very good at using it. "I mean, this is the second time you've seen me in town."