Page 29 of Sorry, We're Closed

The room falls quiet after Xander's words, the only noise coming from the rain pounding against the front windows. It’s oddly relaxing, making me wish I could stay here until it’s over, watching the drops race each other down the window until they eventually collect on the ledge.

“Have you spoken to him much more since I saw him?” Gwen plants herself on the counter, tilting her head to one side with her hair cascading down one shoulder.

My cheeks grow hot, I'm sure they’re flushed, and I fully believe this feeling could spread across my entire body as I think about the last time I saw Avory.

One that was meant to be a friendly meetup after work, for Avory to show me his new guitar, but it felt like so much more than that. Gwen and I are the closest that friends can be and never have I questioned her hand touching mine, or having her close to me in an embrace, yet Avory causes a bombshell of questions to explode into every part of my mind with every movement.

“You have, haven't you? Oh, you've been seeing the hot guitarist, haven't you?”

“I'm sorry, hot? So, you like him too?”

Gwen bites her bottom lip as she attempts to hold back a laugh.

I fell for her comment, crap.

She jumps down as Xander nods towards the back door. I am fully aware they have other deliveries to do but I always enjoy their company.

“As hot as he is, hun, he's all yours. What Xander said is true as well. No matter what happens with him, or her, or anyone for that matter, we have always got space for you. Now, it is time for you to do what's best for you!” Gwen kisses my cheek before wrapping her arms around me, sweet floral scents now buzzing in my nose.

Why am I perfectly okay with the way Gwen touches me, yet Avory's touch makes me question if he means to do that? Does he realise he's doing this? Is he overthinking every move like I am?

I follow the pair to the back door and wave them off as they scurry to the van, trying to avoid as much rain as possible which clearly isn't going to stop any time soon.

I dig through the lost and found box – nothing. I search around the staff room – nothing. I squeeze my eyes shut in the hopes that an umbrella would just suddenly appear – nothing.

Crap, the rain has no chance of easing up, and it seems it would be going all night long so I can't hang about any longer. I brace myself as I open the front door, the once relaxing and comforting rain now intrusive, overwhelming and pelting down from the grey overcast.

I struggle to insert the key from how slippery and cold the metal has become, and the shutters become stiff to pull down, the screeching of the metal sending a piercing screech through my ears. With every jolt of the metal, brisk streams of water fall and run down the collar of my shirt and down my spine, causing an awkward, damp sensation to develop within the fabric.

Faint footsteps click around town, some of them speeding up as they run to their cars or to the closest shops, and the internal dread of having to eventually leave the minimal shelter I have from the small awning we have begins to present itself even more.

“Hey stranger.”

One set of those faint footsteps is heading my way, and now stands in front of the café, with that same smile which feels like my own personal sun, bursting through this horrible weather.

The smile that has appeared on my face feels real, and nothing about this feels pretend. Rain collects in my curls and begins to drip down my glasses, blurring the beautiful man in front of me dressed in his usual dark attire, except he has an umbrella in hand and the comfiest looking hoodie on. Thick and fleecy, I'm pretty sure there's room for the two of us in there.

“Hey, Avory! Sorry, we're closed.”

“I'm not here for coffee, I'm here to walk you home in this dreadful weather.”

I’m startled by his words. Spending time with Avory, thinking of Avory, letting my mind dream about what could be with Avory is already dangerous enough, but having him close to my home, the place where she ties my wrists and binds my mouth in the form of anxiety and pain which sits with me constantly, is a new fear.

My stomach churns at the thought of my mother ever finding out about Avory. In the past, she has threatened me, ignored me, punished me, but nothing has ever come of it because I always back down before anything she says comes to fruition.

I'm lucky that she never arranged anything with that Emily lady. She has always had fear collared to me while I hope that making her dream come true would release me. I’m not so sure anymore.

“What a gentleman.”

“I try my best.” Avory winks as I squeeze in under the umbrella.

Did he purposely choose the smallest umbrella?

The rain hammers against the thin, black cover as we walk side by side, I direct what way to go as we begin to stroll down the high street and by the shoreline. My entire focus falls on our hands as they continuously brush against one another. The temptation to lace my fingers between his starts to build more and more as the walk goes on.

Sawyer, say it with me… FRIENDS.

“So, I heard your show went well last night?”

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