# Espresso--First installment

Author: Ink-arrow
Tags: Cat, Cheetah, Introduction, M/F, M/M, No-Yiff, Romance, Wolf

&nbsp;_This is just the first part of the story I've been working on.&nbsp; It's going to be a romance.&nbsp; This is basically a teaser.&nbsp; There's really no sex to speak of in this bit, but there will be in the rest of the story, so disclaimer done.&nbsp; Also, feedback is welcome and appreciated, and if any suggestion fits well with my own ideas, I'll change stuff and reconsider options for where it'll go.&nbsp; So yeah.&nbsp; Okay.&nbsp; Read._

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The small tink of a bell sounded, signaling the entrance of a customer.&nbsp; I looked up from my book and saw a wolf stamping his feet on the floor mat, a small whirl of snowflakes following him in from outside.&nbsp; He looked up at the counter, where I was seated, and I closed my book.&nbsp; He pulled off his hat and ruffled his hair as he approached, and I put on my smile.&nbsp; "Hey there, what can I get you?"

"Medium London Fog.&nbsp; Make it for here," he said as he pulled out his wallet.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "London Fog, eh?&nbsp; One of my favorites."&nbsp; He grunted in acknowledgement and my smile faltered.&nbsp; No big deal, really.&nbsp; Not everyone wanted a conversation.&nbsp; Still, the London Fog wasn't that common of an order, and I couldn't help but try and satisfy my curious side.&nbsp; It killed the cat, I know, but so far, I'd been a cat free of death by curiosity.&nbsp; "Can I get you anything else?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "No, that's all," he said, rather plain-faced.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Alright, that's going to be 2.97."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He handed me a five and I got him his change before I got his drink in the making.&nbsp; English breakfast tea with a splash of cream and a shot of vanilla.&nbsp; I always made the splash of cream a little bigger than was called for, but it was better that way in my opinion.&nbsp; I brought the drink to the table he'd sat at, and I tried my luck at conversation once more.&nbsp; "Haven't I seen you around campus?"&nbsp; I wasn't sure if I had or not, but maybe it'd loosen the guy up.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Probably," he replied, taking the drink from me.&nbsp; He opened up his laptop, an effective red light.&nbsp; My tail bristled a little.&nbsp; On one hand, I was flustered by the cold shoulder he was giving me.&nbsp; I was a cute enough barista, and even if guys weren't your thing, I thought I was nice and charismatic enough to warrant a smile at least.&nbsp; On the other hand, though, I was just as frustrated that I was upset by it.&nbsp; Here he was, just another customer--nothing special to mention, and the more he walled himself off, the stronger my desperation became to see what was being hidden.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Of course, easier said than done.&nbsp; I was defeated, at least for the moment.&nbsp; I sulked back to the counter and noisily set the dirty dishes in the sink.&nbsp; I went back to the book I'd been reading, _Anansi Boys.&nbsp;_ After every few pages, I looked up from the book and tried to catch the wolf at something interesting, something revealing.&nbsp; But no, each time I glanced at him, he was in the same position, typing at his computer.&nbsp; I sighed, flicked my tail in minor annoyance, and closed my book.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What's up, pussycat?" someone said into my ear.&nbsp; I jumped and felt the fur on my tail bush out in surprise.&nbsp; I whirled around and saw Sara, my coworker, giggling.&nbsp; Evidently, she'd gotten done taking inventory.&nbsp; Sara was a cat, like me.&nbsp; But where I was basically a mutt--I had light creamy fur and brown ears, paws, and tail tip--Sara fit the Somali breed well.&nbsp; Her fur was a rusty color, full of highlights.&nbsp; The fur on her tail, neck, and cheeks was particularly long and soft; Sara was a very attractive girl.&nbsp; She knew that I wasn't that into girls, and she liked to push her limits with me.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Nothin.&nbsp; It's been slow.&nbsp; We've only had one in since you started inventory."&nbsp; I pointed to the wolf, who remained oblivious.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sara leaned against me.&nbsp; "Sundays are the worst, huh, Chess?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Yeah.&nbsp; Nothing interesting ever happens."&nbsp; I looked over at the wolf again, fruitlessly.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What?&nbsp; That guy?"&nbsp; Sara had caught me at it.&nbsp; "You know him or something?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Shh!"&nbsp; I shook my head and ran my finger across my throat.&nbsp; _Shut up!_

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She laughed.&nbsp; "Hey you!&nbsp; Wolfie!"&nbsp; He looked up from his screen with a start, then frowned when he saw Sara flailing her hands at him.&nbsp; "Chess here thinks you're cute or something!&nbsp; Give him your number!"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I was dead.&nbsp; I wanted to die, to slip away into the curls of steam from the coffee, and to vanish into the air.&nbsp; Sara just laughed and laughed and the wolf shook his head and went back to his computer.&nbsp; My face burned, pink through my fur, and I slunk as low behind the counter as I could.&nbsp; Sara kept giggling; she seemed quite pleased with herself.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Sara, be my mercy angel.&nbsp; Please?"&nbsp; I held a paw out to her weakly, smiling despite myself.&nbsp; She took it in hers and kissed it lightly on the back.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You'll be fine, Chess.&nbsp; I was only playing."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I pulled my paw back and rubbed it.&nbsp; "You didn't have to embarrass me like that, you know."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She smirked. &nbsp;"It only would have been embarrassing if it was true."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I felt some of the color return to my cheeks and I scooted away from her.&nbsp; "It's not like that!&nbsp; I don't even know him.&nbsp; He wouldn't even talk to me.&nbsp; He's just some jerk."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The bell tinkled again, and the door closed loudly.&nbsp; Sara and I both jumped up from behind the counter and watched as the wolf walked away down the street.&nbsp; I must have forgotten myself and let my voice raise more than I thought.&nbsp; He'd heard and been offended.&nbsp; Of course, this should have been no problem, had I really no interest in him.&nbsp; Like it or not, something about him intrigued me, and I always had trouble checking my curiosity.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Well," Sara said, "that takes care of that I guess.&nbsp; Now he's not a distraction anymore."&nbsp; She took a breath and looked around.&nbsp; "You're off in an hour or so, Chess.&nbsp; Make yourself useful and clean stuff.&nbsp; Then you can take half of whatever's in the tip jar and go home and sulk."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I do more than sulk, you know," I said, grabbing a rag and heading to the lounge area.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I wouldn't know.&nbsp; You've never taken me home with you!" Sara shouted back to me, laughing.&nbsp; I scoffed and started cleaning tables, ready for the end of the shift.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Monday afternoon, and my classes were done for the day.&nbsp; Lucky for me, I had the night off from work and my professor had pushed back the assignment for Tuesday to Thursday.&nbsp; For me, that meant I didn't have to do it tonight anymore.&nbsp; A rare free night to read, play video games, and dick around.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; After having napped for several hours, I decided I'd pick up my book for some more reading.&nbsp; My roommate wasn't home and I wouldn't be able to get the peace required for reading if I waited for him to show up.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Two chapters later, the silence began to unsettle me a little.&nbsp; I rarely had so much time to myself, and I didn't like it quite as much as I thought I would.&nbsp; My roommate, Kieran, was a cheetah, and he was usually too rowdy for my tastes, but he was at least entertaining.&nbsp; Just then, my stomach rumbled loudly, pulling my attention to more impending matters.&nbsp; I grabbed a frozen pizza and set the oven to preheat.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As I waited, I straightened up a few things in the living room.&nbsp; Kieran had left his dishes from lunch on the table and I took them back to the sink for him to wash later.&nbsp; I reorganized the bookshelf and video game cabinet, returning books and games that had been left out.&nbsp; As I did so, I found one of Kieran's porn mags left on top of the books on the bottom shelf.&nbsp; The cover showed a large-breasted fox getting spit-roasted by two large males: a lion and a bear.&nbsp; I picked up the magazine gingerly and slipped it under the door to his room.&nbsp; Of course, the image of Kieran jacking off came to mind, and I half-heartedly pushed it back as I went to put the pizza in the oven. &nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I'd been sitting on the couch for about five minutes after the pizza went in when my phone rang.&nbsp; I pulled it out of my pocket and the caller ID showed Sarah's name.&nbsp; Hesitantly I answered.&nbsp; "Hey Sarah.&nbsp; Something wrong at the store?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "No, I just got off, and I have something for you."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Huh?&nbsp; Like what?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Well, someone brought in something for you today, and I have it with me."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Are you gonna tell me what it is then?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I could, but a ride home would be nice."&nbsp; I could picture her batting her eyes at me on the other end of the line.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Yeah, I guess.&nbsp; I'll be by in about ten minutes.&nbsp; This had better be worth it."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "It will," she said before ending the call.&nbsp; I grabbed my keys and headed out to my car.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; When I pulled up to the coffee shop, Sarah was waiting outside in her coat.&nbsp; Like a little kid, she was catching snowflakes on her tongue.&nbsp; I rolled down my window and called out to her in a deep voice.&nbsp; "Hey little girl.&nbsp; Why don't you come over here and get some candy?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She perked up in surprise, and when she noticed that it was me, she hurried over to the car and hopped in.&nbsp; I had only opened my mouth to ask what she had for me, but she started in before I could get a word out.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I live at 2316 Forrest Boulevard, if you know where that is."&nbsp; I started driving at this point, holding my question for later.&nbsp; "I forgot my lunch at home today, so all I've had to eat today was a biscotti.&nbsp; I think if I try to make anything for myself when I get home, I'll pass out before I can finish.&nbsp; I think I'll just order a pizza--just a sec Chess."&nbsp; She pulled out her phone and started flipping through her contacts for a pizza place.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Pizza!&nbsp; Oh crap!"&nbsp; I made a sharp turn, of which the driver behind me was not too fond.&nbsp; He gave me a double finger--powerful.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Chess! &nbsp;What are you doing?" Sarah shouted, having been tossed into the door.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Sorry, Sarah!&nbsp; I forgot I left a pizza in the oven at my place.&nbsp; We have to stop there first."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She sighed and slumped back in her seat.&nbsp; She tapped her fingers on the window idly as I hurried to make it back home.&nbsp; Once I got there, I jumped out of the car and shouted over my shoulder to Sarah as I ran to the building.&nbsp; "You can come in!"&nbsp; Leaving the building door open for Sarah, I bounded up the stairs to my apartment, 2D.&nbsp; I left that door open as well and hurried into the kitchen.&nbsp; Fortunately, there was no smoke to greet me, but I could tell from the smell of it that the pizza was starting to burn.&nbsp; As I pulled the pizza out to set it on the counter to cool, I heard Sarah's voice.&nbsp; "Hey, is this your room?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Hey!&nbsp; Don't go in there!" I yelled as I headed for my room.&nbsp; "I said you could come in, not snoop!"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sarah was sitting on my bed, smiling as me as I entered.&nbsp; "You're pretty tidy, for a boy.&nbsp; But you left a pair of undies by the closet," she said, pointing.&nbsp; "Boxer-briefs?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I balled my fists as she giggled.&nbsp; "Okay.&nbsp; Out."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Sourpuss," she mumbled as she pranced out of my room.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I closed the door loudly behind me to try and make a point.&nbsp; Sarah sat down on the couch, ignorant of her trespass.&nbsp; I shot her a quick glare as I went back into the kitchen to slice the pizza.&nbsp; As I put a slice on a plate, Sarah walked up behind me.&nbsp; "Can I have some?" she asked.&nbsp; I scoffed and went back to the couch.&nbsp; Soon after, Sarah joined me with her own slice.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; After finishing my slice in relative silence, I set my plate down on the coffee table and turned to Sarah.&nbsp; "Alright.&nbsp; What's this about you having something for me?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She ate the last bite of her pizza and grinned at me.&nbsp; "Well, you'll never believe this, but that guy actually came back."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What guy?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "The wolf guy.&nbsp; The one that sort of bugged you, or whatever.&nbsp; Remember how I teased you about it?"&nbsp; I nodded grimly.&nbsp; "Well, he came back, and he left his number for you."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; My jaw dropped.&nbsp; "No way."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Really.&nbsp; I've got it right here."&nbsp; She dug around in her pocket and pulled out a slip of paper.&nbsp; I&nbsp; reached for it, but she pulled it back and grinned again.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What?" I asked skeptically.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I'll give it to you if you kiss me."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What?&nbsp; Sarah, no.&nbsp; I don't want--"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "No kiss, no number.&nbsp; I know you want it."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "The number, yes.&nbsp; The kiss, no.&nbsp; Come on, Sarah."&nbsp; I reached for her hand again, but she drew it back further.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I just want to try it, Chess.&nbsp; Please?"

Source: https://sofurry.com/s/Xnr02ZEe