“Oh my god, me too,” he said. “And I have peopled so hard today. I’ve had my quota, well and truly. I shall be going home, eating all the food, and relishing in the peace and quiet. Decompress, ready to do it all again tomorrow.”
“You’re very good with people though,” I said. “Meeting them, being polite. Conversation, that kind of thing.”
“I’ve worked in retail since I was fifteen,” he explained. “So yes, while I can deal with people all day, I do find it taxing.”
“This is our gate coming up on your right,” I explained, and he slowed down carefully before applying the turn signal and turning into our driveway. “You should perhaps take food with you to work tomorrow so you can eat.”
“I should, yes. I was just so busy today. Maybe tomorrow it won’t be so hectic so I can sneak a few bites.”
“I can bring you something if you’d prefer,” I offered.
“Oh no, you don’t have to do that. I’ll be fine.” He grinned at me. “I do appreciate the offer though.”
I wanted to ask him if he’d like to come for dinner one evening, as Mom had suggested, but I was too nervous to ask.
He pulled up in front of the house. Dad’s truck was in the garage and the porch light was on, as were lights inside, and I knew I had to get out of his car even though I wanted to stay with him for as long as possible.
“Thank you for the lift,” I said.
“You’re very welcome. I’m glad we had a chance to talk.”
Oh boy.
I was going to do this . . .
“I, uh...” I held my breath, my fists closed on my lap. “I would like to see you again. My mom said I should ask you over for dinner, because it is an appropriate thing to ask.”
I couldn’t believe I’d managed to say that...
“I’d like that,” he said. I looked at him then, just quickly, to find him smiling at me. “I’m very busy this week though, so I don’t know when that will be possible. Maybe for a few minutes on your lunch break, or if you’re on Main Street for anything, come and say hi. I’m just not sure I’ll have time to leave the store, being my first week and all. And then I have these two little gremlins in the evenings,” he said, rubbing his jacket. “I can’t expect Ro to look after them. She already does enough.”
I nodded, because that was a totally reasonable reply. Even if it felt like a rejection.
“I think it will all start to settle down soon though, and I’ll have a better routine,” he added. “Tell your mom I said thank you for the dinner invitation. Maybe next weekend? Or one night early next week when I have a quieter day and can finish at five.”
“So it’s not a no?”
“No,” he said with a laugh. “Definitely not. It’s a yes, but I’m not sure when. I don’t want to commit and then have to cancel because I’m caught up at the store.” Then his face softened a little. “I won’t ever be dishonest with you, Deacon. If I didn’t want to see you again, I’d say no. If I didn’t want to have dinner, I’d say no. If I didn’t want to talk to you or spend a few extra minutes with you, I wouldn’t have suggested I drive you home.”
I met his eyes then, felt my cheeks heat, and I nodded. “Thank you. I won’t ever be dishonest with you, either.”
“So we’ll text this week,” he said quietly. “And I’m fine with phone calls if you want. In the evenings. If you want to call. Totally fine if that’s not your thing. Sometimes it’s easier just to call than all that extra thumb work.” He grinned. “Totally up to you.”
The idea of texts and phone calls with Winter made my insides all jittery. “I’d like that.”
“Okay then. That sounds good.” He nodded to the house. “You should probably get inside before your parents worry that I’m holding you hostage out here.”
I laughed because that was ridiculous.
“I’ll text you,” I said. “Maybe I’ll call you if my thumbs aren’t up for all that extra work.”
His eyes went wide and he laughed. “Did you just mock me?” Then he pretended to text on an invisible phone. “It’s a lot of work and my thumbs get tired and repetitive strain injury is a common problem with Gen Z.”
His laughter made me genuinely happy, as if the sound struck a chord inside me. I wanted to hear it every day.
“Goodnight, Winter,” I said, my hand on the door handle. “Thank you again for driving me home.”
One of the kittens meowed from inside his jacket.
