I press my hands flat against the counter. "He just wants to see the trail."
"Uh-huh."
"It's not a date."
"Okay."
"It's just—he's new to town. He probably doesn't know the area."
"Right. That's why he specifically asked what you do when you're not working, and then immediately said he wanted to see it. That's definitely about learning the area and not at all about spending time with you."
I want to argue with her some more, but Gail wants to talk to me about an order, and so I can only make a face before leaving.
Jolie has it wrong,I try convincing myself. This isnota date. Really.Right?
I’m just going to show him the trail.
That’s it.
Easy-peasy.
SIX HOURS LATER, ANDI realize it’s all a lie.
It’snoteasy peasy at all.
I cannot do this.
It's one-fifty-eight, and I'm in the bathroom of the café having what can only be described as a minor crisis. My shift ended at two, but I told Santino I'd meet him here, which means I have approximately two minutes to look like someone who goes hiking regularly and not like someone who's about to pass out from anxiety.
I splash cold water on my face. It doesn't help.
I look at my reflection. My hair is falling out of its ponytail again, and there's a coffee stain on my shirt, and my eyes look too wide, too uncertain.
"You can do this," I tell my reflection. "It's just a hike. People hike all the time. It's not a big deal."
My reflection doesn't look convinced.
I dry my face. Retie my ponytail. Take three deep breaths that Sarah taught me.
I’m safe. I’m loved. I’m okay.
I walk out of the bathroom.
He's waiting by the front door. He's changed out of the sweater from this morning into a dark jacket and jeans, and he's got his hands in his pockets, and when he sees me, he straightens up.
"Ready?" he asks.
"I should change—"
"You look fine."
"I have a coffee stain—"
"Thea." He says my name like a period. "You look fine."
I don't feel fine, but I nod anyway. "Okay."
We walk to the parking lot together, and there's this moment where I realize I don't know whose car we're taking, and I'm about to offer mine when he gestures at his.
