Page 28 of She Likes It, Hey Micah
I’m so glad when the elevator stops and lets us out onto the main lobby floor, where sunshine spills out over the linoleum. Letting go of her hand now that there are other people around, I lead the way out into the fresh air and breathe a sigh of relief.
Micah takes a moment to catch up—her little legs can’t keep up with my long strides—and then she pierces me with a stare. She may be smiling, but it’s a sinister sort of smile. “You know I’m going to make you answer that question, right?”
“I know.”
“Good.”
We set off down the street, toward a park just a couple of blocks away, and I put most of my focus on keeping my steps slow so I don’t get ahead of her.
“Honestly, Grant probably doesn’t know that I work late most days,” I admit. “I send him home long before I leave for the day.”
“You really control his life, don’t you?”
Shrugging, I stuff my hands into my pockets. “He hasn’t always been like this, but he’s going through a lot right now.”
“Like his divorce?” She laughs at whatever expression makes its way onto my face. “You merged his calendar with ours, remember? I know he has his court hearing on Wednesday.”
I groan. “Worst timing in history, but it’ll be better once it’s over and done. His wife is kind of the worst.”
“How long have you known Grant?”
Oh, what a loaded question. “I’ve been working for him for three—”
“That’s not what I asked, Fischer.”
Rolling my eyes, I use this as a reminder that despite our text conversations, she really doesn’t know me. And it should probably stay that way. Fun as it has been to talk to her, she’s actively trying to date and find romance, and this friendship can only last until she finds a guy she likes. They say men and women can be friends, but I don’t know any guy who would be okay with his girlfriend texting some dude late at night.
This friendship has an expiration date, and she will be better off without me anyway.
“I’ve known him for a while,” I mutter. It’s easier than going into specifics.
We’ve reached the park, which is full of people enjoying the mid-sixties temperature. Sun City stays pretty comfortable, and even in October like this, people tend to embrace the sunshine. People like Micah, who immediately stretches out her arms and lifts her face to the sky as she walks. She really is recharging…
“Isn’t sunshine great?” she says, her eyes closed.
I shift closer to make sure she doesn’t run into anyone or anything. “Yeah.” Though, I’ve never enjoyed it the way she’s enjoying it. I’m usually the guy in his air-conditioned car with sunglasses, eager to get inside so I can enjoy the sun through the window.
When she pauses to do a twirl, I take a moment to roll my sleeves up. Maybe my bad mood has been in part from a lack of vitamin D. Maybe I just wish I could feel whatever she’s feeling as she grins at the sky. I wish I could know what makes her so happy.
“What’s your favorite flower?” I ask.
She turns her smile to me, her eyes sparkling in the sunlight. “You have to guess like everyone else.”
“But I’m not trying to date you.” I cringe. Could I have been more blunt? I don’t think so.
Thankfully, Micah doesn’t react to that statement outside of taking a step closer. “Maybe not,” she says, “but you still have to guess.”
It won’t be anything she’s already received, but that hardly narrows the field. This isn’t a game I can win, so I change topics. “Chocolate or vanilla?”
She leans in closer, like that might help her figure out why I’m suddenly so curious. It won’t; I don’t even know the answer myself. I just know I like these breaks from my soul-sucking job, and Micah and her positivity are the only things keeping me alive lately.
“It depends on what it is,” she says eventually. “Chocolate for cake, vanilla for ice cream. Preferably together. But I like them both.”
Of course she does. She likes everything. I adjust one of the rolls on my sleeve, and the movement pulls her eyes downward. “Would you rather go camping or go on a cruise?”
“Cruise,” she says, though it comes out airy. She must really like cruises.
“Sunrise or sunset?”
