Page 9 of Here's to Tomorrow

Neither of us moves, not wanting to go just yet. We stay frozen, gazing at one another and soaking up our last moment together before we each disappear back into life.

I do my best to memorize her face in case I never get the chance to see her again. A tiny, miniscule part of me hopes something else will break on her car just so she has to come back. I don’t want to not see her again because I know—I know—she’s something special. I don’t want to let that go.

Even though I’m not looking to date right now, something is screaming at me, telling me to make an exception for Rae, that she could handle the single father part of my life.

As inappropriate and unprofessional as it is to mix business and dating, Ihaveto get her phone number.

“Yo, there’s a call from Mr. Anderson.” Tucker’s footsteps slam against the pavement, against any chance of getting Rae’s number. “He says it’s urgent.”

I let out a sigh and silently curse him for his timing. Turning back to Rae, I can see the disappointment on her face. I nod once and tap the side of her car. She gives me a small wave in return.

Watching as she pulls away, I can’t help but feel the odd weight that was lifted when she was around fall back onto my shoulders slowly.

“Great timing, dude. I was just about to ask for her number,” I tell Tucker, walking past him into the front office.

“Like her phone number? For what? A date?” I nod. His eyes widen. “You shitting me?”

“Nope.”

“Well, hell. Sorry, man, but Anderson is on the line. I figured you’d want to deal with him directly. Besides, can’t you get it from her file or something?”

“I may be weird sometimes, but I’m notthatweird.”

“I’d do it,” he mutters as he walks back to his chair behind the counter.

“So would I!” calls Liam, another coworker, from the door connecting the office and main shop.

I’m surrounded by a bunch of fucking weirdos.

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