He threw his hands in the air as if he was giving up on me, and Josh just glared at me. They both were right though.
I needed to do better, so when the guys left the room to top up their coffees and find something new to munch on, I sent a message.
Cole: Hey! Are you free on Tuesday?
As soon as I sent it, I realized it was one in the morning and slapped myself.
Cole: Sorry. I’m at work. I lost track of time.
I leaned back on the armchair and huffed.
I was hopeless.
So hopeless.
I can be free on Tuesday, came Samir's reply, and I smiled.
But maybe I could still fix things. I wanted to fix things, if for nothing else than for an entirely selfish reason: so I could look at his beautiful smile all day long.
And if I was the one to put it there? Even better.
14.Samir
Ihadn’t expected to hear from Cole after the way he practically ran home on Sunday. I definitely hadn’t expected to hear from him so soon, or to be going out again this fast.
And yet here I was, on Tuesday evening, pumped and ready for another date with the young firefighter hunk. And here I was, once again, with an ache in my stomach and a knot on my throat as if it were my first date ever.
There was a knock on the window, and Cole waved at me from outside. Before I could respond in kind, Zainab leaned in and waved at him herself.
“He’s so freaking cute,” she gushed.
I rolled my eyes and turned my back on him so I could pick up my coat.
“Don’t forget to place the orders before nine,” I told her, and she shooed me away.
“Go away. I know my job. You go do yours.”
I glared at her and she chuckled.
“Oh, you know what I mean. Now go. Have fun.”
I shook my head and left the building, joining Cole outside.
“Hey,” he said.
“Hey. Thanks for offering to pick me up.”
He shrugged and smiled. Zainab was right. Hewascute.
“Pfft. You don’t need to thank me. Should we go? I hope you’re hungry.”
I nodded and followed him through the streets of Mayberry Holm that were getting more crowded by the day. Which was good for business. Not so good for living, but that was a side of Mayberry I’d had to get used to. All the festivals, and the highs and lows of tourism.
“How was your day yesterday?” he asked after a few moments.
“Good. Busy. Practiced my gift-wrapping skills all day.”
He paused and stared, and I chuckled.
