10 Mixed Signals and Realizations

10 Mixed Signals and Realizations
10
Mixed Signals and Realizations

The mirror in the staff bathroom was foggy from a recent mop-down, but Tessy leaned in anyway, adjusting her apron and peering closer to inspect her neck. The mark was still there, faint, but visible. It tingled slightly, not painfully, just enough to remind her of what had transpired that morning. She gently traced it with her fingertip, a mix of embarrassment and something else swirling in her chest.

Was it weird that she kept thinking about it? She hadn’t been able to focus on work all day. That moment kept replaying in her mind. More importantly, why did it make her heart race every time she thought about it?

Pacing slightly, she poked her head out of the break room and spotted Alex wiping down the café counter.

"Hey, Alex," she called, trying to sound casual.

"Yes?" Alex replied, turning toward her.

"Okay, quick question. If a guy bites a girl, hypothetically, what do you think that means?"

Alex raised a brow, giving her a lopsided grin. "Uh… is this girl you, by any chance?" she cooed, amused.

"No!" Tessy said too quickly. "It’s… it’s for my friend."

Alex leaned back, arms crossed. "Right. Well, your friend might want to know that the guy probably likes her. Or he’s a vampire. Fifty-fifty chance."

Tessy giggled, shaking her head. "You’re not helpful."

"Tell your friend I said good luck with Dracula," Alex said, chuckling as they returned to their tasks.

By the time her shift ended, Ryan was already waiting outside as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Tessy’s heart skipped a beat again, but she didn’t walk toward him. Instead, she turned to her male coworker and struck up a casual conversation.

Ryan’s jaw ticked as he watched them. Tessy was laughing, laughing, with another guy. What could they possibly be talking about that made her smile like that?

"Is that him?" Alex nudged her just as she was about to leave. She had caught sight of a handsome young man glaring from a distance.

Tessy glanced toward Ryan and quickly looked away. "No, I don’t know what you’re saying," she mumbled, trying to sound indifferent.

"If he’s Dracula, he can take me," Alex whispered with a grin as she walked away.

Now Tessy knew she wouldn't hear the end of it.

She bade her coworker goodbye and started heading in the opposite direction, clearly avoiding Ryan’s gaze. Before she could get far, Ryan marched over and gently grabbed her hand to stop her.

"Hey," he said, his voice slightly too sharp.

Tessy blinked. "Oh. Hi."

"Why are you avoiding me?"

She raised an eyebrow. "I’m not."

"You are. Since this morning, you’ve been acting like I have the plague. And you were laughing pretty hard with that guy back there."

"You bit me," she replied coolly. "And now I’m not even allowed to talk to people? Are you trying to own me?"

Ryan’s mouth opened, then shut. "That’s not it, Tessy. No." Yes it is. That's the issue. That's it!

"Because if that’s the case," she added, crossing her arms, "then maybe Ronda was right."

That name hit him like a slap.

What did Ronda say? That girl runs her mouth

"What did she say?"

"If you’re planning to play around with me like you do with other girls," she said firmly, her voice unwavering "then you’ve failed already."

Ryan’s eyes darkened. "Don’t compare this to what I had with anyone else. I’m not playing with you, Tessy."

She studied his face for a moment. His sincerity was evident.

"Fine," she muttered, stepping forward. "Let’s walk."

They strolled in silence until they reached Gram’s house. Just as they approached the gate, Ronda appeared like a bad omen from a rom-com.

"Ryan!" she screeched, hurrying toward them. As she got closer, her eyes narrowed at Tessy.

"Tessy," she sneered, her eyes flicking to the side of her neck. Her brows furrowed. "Is that…?"

Tessy stepped back instinctively, tugging her collar higher. "Good night," she said quickly, then slipped into the house.

Ronda turned sharply to Ryan. "You marked her?! You gave her a love bite. No way! Tell me what I saw is wrong."

Ryan exhaled, visibly annoyed. "What did you say to her this morning?"

"What...?"

"You called me a playboy. Why the hell would you do that?"

Ronda shrank at his tone. "I… I didn’t mean it like that. I just… Ryan, I don’t like when you’re angry at me."

"Then shut your mouth around her."

Her eyes flared. "You’re acting weird, Ryan. All this… for a peasant girl? What did she do to you? And I hope you weren’t the one who left that mark on her ugly neck."

"I don’t care what you or anyone thinks," he snapped. "Sit your entitled ass down and stay out of this. And don’t you ever call her a peasant again."

He walked off without another word.

Ronda, fuming, immediately pulled out her phone and called Veronica.

"Your nephew’s losing his mind," she hissed. "He’s getting attached to that peasant girl. He is not himself anymore." She said, eyes locked on the door.

Later that night, after dinner, Tessy stood at the sink, washing the last of the dishes. The kitchen light buzzed overhead, and a cool night breeze crept in through the window.

Ryan stepped in quietly, his hands in his pockets. "Need help?"

"I'm almost done," she replied without looking at him.

He walked closer and leaned beside her.

"I’m sorry," he said.

She kept her eyes on the dishes. "For what?"

"For… everything. For the bite. For being jealous. For acting like a possessive idiot."

She raised an eyebrow, but a small smile tugged at her lips.

"I don’t know what’s wrong with me," he continued. "I’ve been struggling with how I feel. I don’t want to scare you off, Tessy."

"About… me?"

Ryan hesitated. "I don’t know how to explain it. But no, I’m not using you. I couldn’t. Not with you."

Silence settled in, broken only by the sound of running water.

Tessy turned off the tap and dried her hands. "Next time," she said softly, "just kiss me like a normal person."

She flashed him a small, heartfelt smile. "Good night."

And with that, she walked out, leaving Ryan stunned, amused… and completely smitten.