“Thanks anyway, but I’ve got an early shift tomorrow.”
“I’ll walk you out.” Tom pushed back his chair.
Together they walked to the front door. “You sure you don’t want to stay,” Tom whispered. “I could tell them to go. We don’t need to play poker.”
“No, you go ahead. You’re having fun. I really liked meeting the guys though.”
“I’m glad you came. I’ll see you this week though, right?”
Bailey nodded. “Of course. I’ll be here tomorrow night. It’s book night.”
“I’ll see you after the library then.”
“Yeah.”
Tom’s hand on his cheek was warm as he leaned in for a kiss. “Have a good shift tomorrow.”
“You too.” He reluctantly pulled away, the loss of Tom’s touch tempting him for a moment.I could stay, I have a change of clothes in the van.
A burst of laughter carried across the room drawing his attention to the three men sitting around the table.
“Hurry up, lovebirds,” Elliot called. “A fast game’s a good game.”
He looked back to Tom. “I’d better go.”
“See you tomorrow.”
Bailey offered a small smile as he took his coat from the coat rack, shrugging it on and slipping out the door. The cold was immediate, the frigid wind whipping his face. He turned towards the side alley where the van was parked, and only allowed himself one quick glance as he passed the large cafe window. The room glowed warm with light. Tom stood in the centre of the room, his friends at the table behind him, but Tom’s eyes were fixed on Bailey through the glass. Bailey’s heart gave a little jump but he focused back on the path, pulled up his collar and braced for the cold—a cold that followed him all the way home and didn’t leave even when he slipped between the sheets of his bed and pulled the covers up to his chin.
