I look at my phone again.
I grab it and walk briskly out of the pub.
* * *
I’m alreadyon my way to her house when I hit the green button, because my stupid heart always leads me to her street. I know I should ignore it, push it down, tape it up and throw it in a secret underground location, but it just doesn’t want to be kept hostage any longer.
“H-hey…” she stammers in surprise.
My heart almost explodes in my chest. And all I did was hear her speak for half a second.
“I just wanted to hear your voice,” I tell her honestly.
She sighs on the other end of the line.
It’s useless to make up a story, that’s not what she wants. She’s looking for the truth and I’m going to have to give it to her.
“How was work today? Was it a rough day?” I ask because I really want to know.
What she does. How she lives. When she breathes.
“It was pretty intense. I just got home.”
“I bet you haven’t eaten yet.”
“Well, no, I haven’t had time. I was just going to see what my fridge has on offer,” she jokes.
Riley joking around. How long has it been since I’ve heard that?
“Can I stop by? If you’re not too tired.”
“Stop by? What do you mean?”
“I’d like to spend some time with you.”
“Oh…”
“Would that be alright?”
“I guess so.”
Hope courses through my veins. For once, it hasn’t landed me in a ditch instead.
“I’ll bring dinner. Is pizza okay?”
“Perfect.”
“Tell me how you like it.”
“W-what?!” she stammers.
I smile internally.
“The pizza, Riley. How do you like your pizza?”
“Oh…” her voice drops. “The pizza…I don’t mind, you choose.”
“Riley…”
