“Hey!” the voice called. I looked around and saw someone running towards me. As the man approached, I was shocked. What’s with Portland and handsome men? He looked like some Norse God charging for battle.

What the hell? I looked behind me and there was absolutely no one that he could possibly be talking to. He stopped in front of me, catching his breath a little. I turned around to double check, making sure I’m not being delusional.

“Are you talking to me?” I asked. He nodded and handed me a paper bag. I was confused. “You wanted the book, right?” Still confused, I hesitated and then grabbed the paper bag. I looked inside and it was the vocal training book that I was looking for. My mouth gaped.

“Why are you giving this to me?” I handed the paper bag back to him. “It’s fine, I can just order online.” He insisted and pushed the paper bag gently back to me. “It’s fine I really don’t need it.” I raised a brow. Confused.

“Then why did youꟷ”

“It just piqued my interest, but it seems you need it more than I do.” He smiled. His grey eyes were sincere. I got the chance to study the stranger in front of me. He was tall, around six feet four, like that gargantuan Killian.

They have the same build, I think, but he has long beautiful hair which was styled half up half down. There’s a light dusting of blonde facial hair as well that covered his chiseled jaw. He had a strong straight nose, but his eyes were a little wide, and kind looking. “Are you sure?” I asked and he just nodded.

“Here,” I started grabbing my wallet and grabbed some cash. “Let me pay you for the book.” He waved his hand dismissively. “No need, it’s on me.” I gawked at him. “I can’t take this book for free. C’mon, let me pay you at least.” He let out a husky laugh.

“No, seriously, keep it.” I don’t like the feeling that I’m just going to accept the book without even paying. The guilt will not stop bothering me for the rest of the day.

“Please, I can’t accept this. Let me pay you.” He let out a deep chuckle. “Seriously, it’s fine. Keep it.” I was about to protest when he held a finger up. “It’s fine.” He repeated. I bit my lower lip. I looked around and I saw a nearby coffee shop.

“Well at least let me buy you a coffee or a croissant. I’m really not comfortable taking this from you without paying.” He raised his eyebrow which told me he was interested in the offer.

“Fine, just a coffee and then we’re even.”

We decided to sit by the vacant space at the furthest corner of the room, obviously I had to cancel my Uber ride. I told him it would be best that we stay inside the shop since it was warmer. As soon as our beverages were on the table, we settled ourselves in our seat. “So, you really don’t need the book?”

He shook his head and he took a sip of his coffee. “I was just looking around and then I stumbled upon the book. To be honest, I don’t even understand most of the context of the book.” I rolled my eyes and laughed. “Then why did you buy it?” he let out a hearty chuckle. “Like I told you, I was interested! I mean I could study it myself, maybe do research.” I frowned. “Are you a musician?” He shook his head.

“So, you’re telling me that you can’t read music sheets but since they look interesting, you bought it?” He shrugged his shoulders and laughed. “I know it’s weird but when I see something interesting, I just go for it.” Something flashed in his grey eyes and it went away almost immediately.

“I’m Reidyr by the way. Thank you for the book.” All this talk and we didn’t even know each other’s name. Then Killian flashed in my head and dismissed it instantly. “Grayson,” he reached out and we shook hands. His hands were very warm which made my hands a little prickly.

“Just call me Gray,” as he flashed a million-dollar smile at me.

Great, another beautiful man I accidentally met.

What’s with me and these random beautiful men? “So, Gray, what do you do?” I took a sip of my coffee. Instantly, it provided comfort and warmth in my body. “I cater mostly to our art galleries here in Portland but there are times that I do manage our family business.”

Great. He’s a businessman too.

If this man is as erratic as someone I know, I’m going to move to a different state. “You?”

“I’m a classical pianist.” His eyes sparked with interest. “Really?” I nodded. “Yeah, I go on tours and perform mostly in theater arts around the world.”

“That sounds amazing! Can I see you play one of these days?” I smiled. It’s been a while since someone told me they wanted to see me play. “Sure, I guess. It’s off season right now but I’ll let you know if we have a scheduled tour here in Portland.” He gave out a genuine smile and grabbed his phone and handed it to me.

“Here, put your cellphone number in so I can contact you.” I grabbed his phone and placed my number in his phone. As soon as I handed it back to him, he called my number so that I could store his contact information in mine.

We started talking about music and art which, if the topic is about art or music, I transform into a chatterbox that sometimes I don’t recognize. I didn’t realize that it was already dark outside. I looked at the clock and it was past seven.

“Sorry, I have to go, and my place is quite far from here.” I stood up and grabbed the paper bag containing the book. “Is that so? Let me give you a ride then.” I shook my head. “I’ll just call in an Uber, that’s not necessary. You already saved me a lot of time by giving me this book.”

“Where do you live by the way?” I thought about telling him my address but then again, he doesn’t strike like he’s a bad guy. “I live near the corporate district. The Nest.” He raised a brow. I frowned. “Is something the matter?” he shook his head and smiled. “My place is not far from there; I can just drop you off.”

“I don’t want to owe you anymore.” I whined. He laughed. “Oh c’mon, let’s go. It’ll give me peace of mind that you’re home safe.” I sighed. I’m never going to win in this argument. “Fine.” We walked towards the exit. “Wait for me here, I’ll just bring my car around.” I nodded. Not long after an SUV stopped in front of where I was standing. The window of the passenger door slid down and I saw Grayson.

“Let’s go?” I gave a smile and sat at the passenger side of the car as we drove home.

We arrived in front of my apartment building after an hour of Grayson singing almost every song on the radio. It was entertaining to say the least. “Well this is me.”

“I’ll see you around, and I better have tickets to your concert.” I rolled my eyes. “Is that a bribe?”

“I mean I don’t call it a bribe, just a little something for your newfound friend.” I chuckled. I kinda like it.

New found friend.

“Fine, thank you for tonight and the book.” He nodded a little. “Pleasure is all mine.” I went out of his car as he rolled the passenger windows down. “Have a great night!” I called and waved goodbye. “Don’t be a stranger,” he clicked his tongue as he drove off. I watched his car disappear into Portland traffic as I went upstairs to my apartment and called it a night.

I was wearing an oversized sweater and boxers, cooking pasta when the doorbell rang. I frowned. Who the hell could that be? For all I know I was not expecting any guests. I looked at the peephole and lo and behold, it was Luke. I opened the door and the man looked like he has not been getting any proper sleep lately.

“Snowflake…” he whined as he went inside, dropped his bag on the floor, sat and slumped by the long kitchen counter. Suddenly he started sniffing the air. “Are you cooking my favorite pasta right now?” He also looked like he had not eaten anything yet for the day. “Yes, and you looked like hell by the way.” I pointed out. I heard him groan.

“Killian has been difficult lately! I mean, he doesn’t say anything to me.” I sighed. “You punched the guy, remember?” He palmed his face. As soon as he realized he said Killian’s name he shot me an apologetic look. “You can say his name Luke. He’s not Voldemort for crying out loud.” I served him a plate of pasta. “Perfect timing. Eat.”

Luke didn’t say anything but least to say, the boy finished the plate at a speed of light. “Jesus, I needed that Snowflake. Thank you for the meal!” he leaned back on his seat and let his arm fall to his side. I grabbed both our plates and started washing the dishes.

“Listen,” he began. I glanced at him and turned the faucet off. “What?” I asked as I leaned on the sink. “I need a favor.” As soon as I heard the word favor, I already got a feeling this is not going to be good. Remember the first favor you asked? I crossed my arms and leaned on the fridge directly behind me. “What is it this time?”

“So, I would like to ask, if you would be my date?” I raised my brow. “Where may I ask?” My tone wasn’t pleasant at this point. If being his date means I’ll be near Killian, then the answer is no. “There’s a new nightclub bar opening here in the city.” Soon as he said the word bar, I already knew my answer. “No,” Luke immediately stood up and went beside me. “C’mon Snowflake, just this once, for me?”

“Luke, you know I hate going to bars right?”

“I know, I know but I have to be there!” I frowned. “Because?” I questioned. I saw him try to formulate an excuse in his head. He sighed in defeat. “Aside from real estate and everything, Killian and I also own high end bars here in Portland.

If I don’t go, the man will kill me.” I gawk at him in disbelief. Not because he just told me that he owns a chain of bars in the city but because I know Killian would be there. "So you’re afraid of Killian now?”

“No but he’ll make my life at the office a living hell. Trust me.”

“You’ll live.” He grabbed my wrist and knelt in front of me. “What are you doing?” I hissed under my breath. “Please Reidyr, come with me.”

“Do you want to get me killed? You know Killian would be livid as soon as he sees me within a mile from him.” He threw his head back. “Besides, can’t you get someone else?” I pulled him up to stand. “I know, but I don’t have time to look for any available woman who’s willing to join me.”

“Luke, you're a handsome, rich, successful businessman. Finding a woman to be your date just for one night would not be a problem for you.” He looked at me intently and, in that moment, I knew what he was about to do.

“Oh no, don’t use those puppy eyes on me. It’s not going to work.” Then there it was. His green eyes flashed with too much endearment. I tried not to look at him. “Not going to happen.”

He didn’t talk but he was still giving me that look. As the seconds passed by it was already stretching my patience thin. I sighed in defeat. “If I said yes, would you stop giving me that look?” I said between gritted teeth. I was immediately being carried by the man ala bridal style and spun me around.

“Put me down!” I ordered but his laughter and jubilation filled the whole apartment. I doubt he heard me.

He sat me down by the sofa as he lay beside me. “You’re the best!” I hit him on his thigh which made him jerk upright. “Only this time.” I pointed a finger at him. “After this, no more, you got me?” He nodded vigorously and planted a kiss on my forehead.

I’m just hoping the club would be packed with a lot of people making it easy to hide from a certain someone or else, blood will be spilled on the floor.