Sleep With Student's Daddy

Chapter 2

I had to battle against the grin that was permanently attached to my face as I played with my straw. Not this soon, and certainly not this joyful. Nothing was certain just because one date went well. I was behaving like a girl who had an idiotic infatuation.

My heart continued to pound in my chest, and I was unable to find any relief by reminding myself that anything may alter at any time. I tried to be quiet so that by the time he came back, I would be calm. I waited for his arrival while taking leisurely sips from my drink. The blooming sensation that had erupted in my chest was gradually turning into a bitter one as each minute went by.

My eyes scanned the throng behind me as I cast a glimmer of hope that he had just become disoriented. As much as I wanted to think that was the case, I knew otherwise. It was obvious that Mark wouldn't be returning. Where had I made a mistake? What have I done? I bit my lip and diverted my gaze back to my now-empty glass as I felt my brows furrow in annoyance.

Reality had to hit me hard just as I started to feel like I may find happiness. The guy I was supposed to be with would never come into my life.

I was through. There was no longer any justification for me to subject myself to this agonizing reality. Simply put, Alice would have to concede that I was supposed to be by myself.

A fresh voice called out in front of me, "Here's your drink," jerking me out of the thoughts that were gnawing at me.

I looked up from my glass to see a different-shaped cup in front of me that was still being held by thick fingers. I kept looking up and saw that it was the bartender speaking to me. It was a guy I had had my drink prepared by many times on the various numbers of dates I made myself go on.

I said "Oh," then turned to face the crimson hue in the glass. I don't believe this was my order, there must be a mistake. Even as to what it was, I had no idea.

He began to say, "I know," as he moved the glass closer to me. He told me, "It's on the house," and took my empty glass away.

I fought the urge to grin as I struggled to believe that this man was helping me out of sympathy. Did he often see ladies being dumped by their dates? Or am I the only pitiful person?

I don't drink, as much as I enjoy it. Not even melancholy could make me crave the alcoholic beverage, so I attempted to ignore him.

He rephrased, "I know," as though he had no intention of leaving any time soon. He assured me that it was alcohol-free and that I would like it. "Don't you get sick of drinking the same stuff over and over again? Why not give something new a shot?

I was aware that he was referring to the beverages, but his inquiries seemed more profound. I started to reflect on all of the blind dates I had gone on. They were all the same, albeit they were all various kinds of guys. No matter who I met via Alice, nothing changed. I looked at the drink and told him, "I am tired." I chewed my lip as I eyed the heavier liquid. The question "What is it?"

He crossed his arms and leaned against the bar as if waiting for me to drink his concoction, "It's a Cinderella," he said. I became heavier as a result of his gaze being fixed on me. I stopped thinking about Mark because of the type of attention he was providing me. I had to overcome the impulse to not approach him and meet him halfway. Naturally, I was simply letting my mind go there.

Taking the glass, grabbing the straw, and stirring the beverage, I couldn't help but giggle at the irony. While I would have like to have been a lovely prince who fell in love with a beautiful princess, it didn't seem as if my story would have a happy conclusion.

I smiled sarcastically and said, "Cheers," before taking a drink. The delicious mixture caused my taste buds to erupt, which was plenty to cause me to groan. Better than I could have anticipated, really. I sucked it in halfway, put the glass down, and grinned a little more naturally.

I squinted as I tried to see the name on the bartender's name tag as I looked at him. Mason, I'm grateful. He smiled as we locked eyes, seeming pleased with how I responded.

"From now on, when you drop by, you may sometimes switch up your usual. You may pass the time by experimenting with other flavors; I've prepared a lot of beverages over the years.

He suggested with a raised eyebrow.