If Time Stands Still

38- preoccupied

Aylin's POV

"You taking your coffee break?" Luke inquires.

"Nope." I continue responding to my client's email.

"So come down with me for my smoke break."

I sigh, "Just a sec. I'm almost done."

After yesterday's tiff with Zayn, I've been trying my best to not contact him first and send an essay clearly stating why I'm not in the wrong. I figured that if he's not getting hold of me first, then he isn't ready to talk yet and anything I say would be in vain or would possibly upset him further.

So here I am, attempting to block it out entirely since I'm usually good at suppressing things- but alas, it's Zayn, so he keeps creeping back into my mind.

"Done." I stand up and walk off with Luke who keeps telling me about how hyped up he is for his birthday since old college friends will be in town. I nod and try to listen, but I keep glancing at my phone screen, expecting a call or text from him.

"Dude, there's even gonna be a swimming pool and those outdoor canopy beds." Luke mentions, "Like an indoor-outdoor vibe. It's gonna be so crazy."

"Outdoor canopy beds?" I look his way, "Drunk, horny, twenty-something's and canopy beds. It's like you're asking for an orgy."

He laughs while balancing the cigarette between his lips as he lights it, "What better way to break in 25." He winks.

"I will be no part of that." I chuckle.

He takes a puff and blows the smoke out to his left, away from my face, "I don't wanna get too trashed. It's a real upscale type nightclub. Wear something pretty."

"Don't I always?" I tease.

He looks me up and down, then shrugs, "Not with that hair yesterday."

"Shut up." I laugh, "I was in a rush."

"Did you tell Zayn about it?

I nod. Technically, I did mention it to him, but he didn't seem interested and that was before the argument. Do I mention that we had an argument yesterday? If I do, I can't exactly elaborate on how it started since I haven't told Luke about Teagan's advances toward me.

"He coming?"

"Probably." I answer. Not only does Luke not know, but telling him about the argument would look silly on my part considering I was gushing about our weekend getaway just yesterday.

"Aylin?" He waves his hand in front of my face, "You seem preoccupied."

I shake my head, "When am I not, right?"

He snorts, "Right."

"Luke, my man!" another smoker approaches, "Could I use your lighter?"

"Yeah, sure." He hands it to him then looks my way, "So what's on your mind this time?"

I look down at my phone, then shake my head, "Nothing specific."

"Thanks, Luke." The guy hands it back to him and walks off.

"You know, my smoking habit started in college when I was trying to meet new people." Luke mentions suddenly, "I used to hang out with my lighter where most of the smokers would be, even though I didn't smoke... until eventually, I did."

"Peer pressure, much?"

"Nah." He chuckles, "I just liked attention. Smokers tend to be the most social. You could strike up a conversation just by asking for a lighter." He flicks the lighter, igniting a small flame, "You should try it."