“Okay, so let me get this straight. You brought him the tray of coffees and sandwiches the other day and you two had a moment like you said right?” Ruby closed the glass sliding door on the case and opened the one next to it.
I nodded.
“How did you feel when you looked at him?”
I shrugged, trying to play it off, trying to act like nothing was happening, but I couldn’t lie to save my life. It was written all over my face.
Smitten. I am totally and utterly smitten.
“Well?”
“Like any other guy.” I mumbled.
Ruby burst with laughter. “You are so lying. You felt something you never felt before. Am I right?”
I rolled my eyes in a playful manner. “Okay, okay,fine. It was like this insane urge to kiss him, this attraction that took over my entire body, and in the three short days since meeting him, he hasn’t left my thoughts. It’s quite annoying, honestly.” I teased, Ruby eating up every word.
“Your face tells me you love it.”
I laughed. “I’m looking forward to our date. I haven’t been on one in so long. I have no clue what to wear.”
“Just be yourself. Comfortable, casual, whatever makes you feel good.”
“Thanks, Ruby.”
“After restocking, you’re free to go. Gives you some extra time to get ready.” Ruby checked her inventory list on her clipboard, her eyes scanning the paper. “I want lots of details tomorrow, so be ready.”
“You’re the best. And of course I’ll have the gossip. What’s a small town without a little bit of gossip?”
“That’s right, girlfriend.” Ruby smiled as she walked by me. “I’ve taught you well.”
She disappeared into the back, and I went back to cleaning and restocking supplies for the Sunday rush. The doorbell chimed above the door and a group of older men walked in, newspapers in their hands. I took their orders and while I made their drinks, they stood around talking loudly and gesturingwith their hands. “Yeah, yeah, down by the old river road at the bottom of the mountain. They were working on some poles, doing routine maintenance, and one man fell, but thankfully, his harness caught him. Still going to have some bruising, though, maybe a broken rib.”
“Wow, that’s terrible. Good thing they’re harnessed.”
The men continued their conversation, switching topics to the weather, but my mind rushed a mile a minute, still stuck on the same story.Working on the poles, a man fell, bruising, maybe a broken rib. I hoped it wasn’t Isaiah working on the poles today. That would be awful. But I couldn’t think that way. I had to think positive. I had a date to get ready for.
Before Isaiah leftthe bakery the other day, he asked for my phone number, punching the numbers carefully into his phone before sending me a text. “Now you have my number.” He said. “I’ll text you with the details.”
The next day, he texted me for my address and said he would pick me up at six for dinner.
I scrubbed, exfoliated, shaved, and pampered every part of my body to prepare for him and also picked out a flowy sundress, with a jean jacket, and a cute pair of black boots.
When six o’clock rolled around the night of, I was ready. I sat on the couch, squeezing my hands together, as tidal waves rolled through my stomach. Why was I so damn nervous? I’d already met the guy.
I couldn’t sit still. I paced the floor, his handsome face lingering in my mind.
But soon, it became later, and later, and by six thirty, I sent him a text.
No response.
The seconds melted into minutes and by seven o’clock, I ripped off my jean jacket and boots.
As I threw them across the room, my phone buzzed.
Isaiah: I need to cx, im so sorry I will explain everything
I stared at the message, rereading it a hundred times.
