Kate laughs out loud and I groan into my hands. “This is bad.”
“Are you kidding me? It’s awesome!” DJ nudges me. “Seriously, this is the best relationship gossip I’ve heard since the Patsy and Bill rumor!”
“I could get fired,” I mumble, keeping my head down into my hands.
“There’s no way that’ll happen.” DJ pats my shoulder. “You’re irreplaceable, everyone knows it. No way they’ll fire you for liking someone.”
“Loving someone,” Kate retorts.
“Dudeeeeee, you love this chick?” Devon whispers, his eyes bugging out of his head.
I look out the window, watching the orange and red leaves rustle on the sidewalk, the sky a perfect blend of pink, blue, and yellow. The sight is so calm and beautiful, and all I can think about is sharing the view with Ellie. The fear of losing my job, disappointing Mr. Clinton, creating drama in the workplace, all of that fades away as I envision Ellie and I sitting in this same booth, looking out as the breeze wooshes by and the sun sets.
Any negative thoughts I have are gone when I focus on her. She’s a safe place for me, something I didn’t know I was missing. Something I don’t want to lose.
“I think I might.”
Kate squeals and DJ hugs me. “That’s awesome, man. I’m happy for you.” I hug him back, not letting go as quickly as he does, savoring the moment he feels comfortable and happy enough to hug his uncle.
“Well isn’t this adorable?” a voice says behind the other side of the table. I look up to see Ellie smirking at us as she’s leaned over the top of the seat, eye-level with Kate, both of them laughing at our man hug.
We immediately let go and punch each other in the shoulder. DJ takes a final swig of coffee. “Break’s over.” He stands to hug Kate, and then back to me and whispers, “Don’t be a simp.” I nod as he goes to leave, noting another word I probably need to look up.
“See you tomorrow, Ms. B . . .” He shakes Ellie’s hand. “Mr. B,” he says, visibly winking at me, right in front of her. I might be hallucinating, but I’m pretty sure her cheeks turned bright red.
“Aww, Mr. and Ms. B, I didn’t even put that together!” Kate giggles.
“Sure you didn’t.” I roll my eyes at Kate’s smug smile.
“So, what’s the emergency?” Ellie asks as she sits next to me.
“What emergency?” I look at her, feeling drawn to push back a piece of hair that’s fallen out of her ponytail. I resist and focus on the side profile of her face, her soft skin light and slightly peek at the cheeks. She doesn’t have makeup on today, which is a rare treat. I can clearly see the subtle freckles on her nose from a bad sunburn, and a small scar on her temple she said was from chicken pox, things she feels compelled to hide. Every inch of her is stunning, I don’t want her to hide any of it.
“I thought I had a flat tire.”
I clench my jaw and slowly turn to glare at Kate. “A flat, huh?”
“Yes! I was certain of it! But then I realized it wasn’t even my car! HA, silly me.” She fakes a laugh so unconvincing you’d think it was intentional. “Anyway, I gotta run! Thanks for coming to my rescue, El.”
“Uhh, you’re welcome?” Ellie looks at her confused, then at me for some telepathic information. I just shrug, acting like I have no earthly idea why Kate would text Ellie, ironically in the middle of me admitting my feelings about her, out of the blue . . . of all things.
Kate comes around the table, leaning over the back of our seat to hug each of us bye.
“You’re dead,” I whisper to her.
“You’ll thank me later,” she whispers back as she skips away—rather proud of herself, I’m sure.
“So, want to tell me what’s going on?” Ellie asks, filling up Kate’s mug and taking a sip.
“Oh you know, Kate is just meddling in other people’s business.”
“Of course.” She laughs. “Well I am starving, are you up for seconds?”
Looking down at the empty plate DJ left, and hearing the hunger audibly settle in my stomach, I nod. “Nancy, get us two specials!” I call over to Nancy at the counter as I wrap my arm around Ellie’s waist, squeezing her tight against me.
“Can I share something and we agree to not make it weird?” she asks me, scooting closer and resting her hand on my knee.
“I make everything weird, but yes. Go ahead.”
