I give him a look. “So what’s his type?”
Simon shakes his head. “Honestly, forget it. I don’t even know if it’s true.”
“Wait, just tell me,” I say.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s probably just a rumor,” Simon says, waving a hand in the air. “So let’s just drop it, okay?”
Before I can push him on this, the phone rings. Simon picks it up right away, ending the conversation. I wonder why he won’t just say it. But maybe it doesn’t matter. I probably won’t hear from Christian again, anyway. I take a seat at the counter, moving my bag to the floor. Alex appears next to me, glancing at my things.
“Did you go shopping again?” she asks.
“It’s the jacket from yesterday. I was gonna return it after work.”
“But it looked so good on you,” she says, pulling it out of the bag. “Have you thought about keeping it? It could be an investment piece.”
“It’s three hundred dollars,” I remind her.
“Yeah, but if you wear it three hundred times, it’s really just one dollar each time,” she says. “It’s basic girl math. And how often do you splurge on yourself?”
“I really can’t justify that…”
“At least wear itonemore time,” Alex says.
“I don’t have other penthouse parties lined up.”
“Then find one. It’s all about manifesting, remember?” She smiles as she hands me back the jacket, taking the other seat.
I think back to the party last night. I did feel more confident wearing it. The fabric is smooth to the touch, different from everything I own at home. I really wish I could afford to keep it. But I’m trying to save up for college, among other things. So I put it back in the bag and push it beneath the counter as a line begins to form.
It’s been raining all afternoon.But the sidewalks have mostly dried up by the time my shift ends. The first thing I do is check if he’s waiting outside for me. I was hoping we could spend more time together. But no one is standing beneath the marquee. Maybe he isn’t coming today. Then I glance at the other side of the street.
“Haru!”
He’s leaning against the crosswalk sign with his armsfolded. I had a feeling he would be out here. His lips curve into a smile as I cross the street.
“Caught you just in time,” Haru says, wrapping his arms around me. Then he glances at the bag in my hand. “Did you bring me a gift?”
“No, it’s just this jacket I bought,” I say, holding it up for him. “The one I wore last night.”
“How could I forget. You looked impeccable.”
“I’m actually returning it.”
Haru frowns. “That’s a disservice to the rest of us.”
“It’s too expensive to keep.” I laugh. It’s always a great relief to see him. Like rain during a drought. “How long have you been waiting out here?”
“Not too long,” he says, sliding his hands into his pockets. “You came out at the perfect time. I have the rest of the day planned for us.”
“Where are we going?”
“I was thinking we could catch a movie at Millennium Park. We could grab a bite to eat along the way. If that sounds good to you.”
I smile at this. “Sounds like a perfect date.”
