“Yeah, and a–” I look at Gabe waiting for him to tell me his order. His eyebrows arches. “Wait, you ordered a caramel macchiato?” I squint.
“What? You own the drink or something?” Gabe chuckles lightly. “You seem surprised.”
“Yeah, I kind of do.” I laugh. “Nah, it’s just that they’re just sweet and you don’t strike me as asweettype of guy.” I admit, standing up. The mess is cleaned up now and I take my pile of soiled paper towels over to the trash can beside the door.
“Wow,ouch.”
My cheeks heat up as I try and rearrange the words in my head. “No, Ididn’t mean—”
A smile creeps up on his face. “I’m joking, I’m joking.” He pats me on the shoulder. “Nah, I have acrazysweet tooth. If it has sugar, I’m eating it up.” He shrugs, hands in his dark jeans pockets.
I nod my head, understanding. “Elijah’s like that too. Helovessweets.”
“Doesn’t surprise me in the slightest.” He nudges my shoulder playfully.
We both walk up to the counter and grab our freshly made hot beverages. I pay for both, tipping Tanya graciously after all of that fiasco.
“You didn’t have to pay for me.” Gabe shakes his head, giving his drink a sip.
I shrug. “Least I can after pouring your drink all over you. Now we can both have our caffeine before work.” I lift my cup in a cheers.
He nods. “Well, I guess I’ll see you at work in a few.” Giving me a salute.
I stand there for a moment as he walks away. “Yeah…” I mutter. My eyes dart over to where that sedan was before. Now, empty. My skin prickles. Maybe I imagined it. Maybe I didn’t.
“Hey, you okay?” Gabe asks, pulling me out of my head.
I look at him. “Uh…yeah.” I swallow deeply, my throat suddenly tight and hoarse.
He gives me a look over but nods his head all the same. “We don’t start for a little while. Would you want to hang out or something?”
I scratch the back of my neck. “Well, there’s something I have to do before my shift starts.”
Something I’ve been dreading more than anything.
“Errands suck.” He nods. “But they suck less when you have company.” He tilts his head and gives me a quick shrug.
Company. Hm.
Honestly, that sounds pretty nice.
Maybe he’ll talk. And talking means I won’t have to think.
“Okay…sure. But, if you can keep it between you and I, that’d be great.” I don’t need anyone finding out about my personal life.
He salutes. “Secret. Got it.”
I squint my eyes. “And it’s a little depressing.”
The corner of his mouth quirks up. “Depressing is my middle name.”
***
Honestly, I’m glad I took him up on his offer to join me. After the phone call yesterday from Derrick, being alone feels…heavy.
I’ve been actively avoiding my childhood house since I left a year ago.
“So, this is your old stomping ground eh?” Gabe asks, walking in behind me.
