Page 77 of You've Got a Place Here, Too
“Dude, you’re gonna have to go,” Malcolm orders.
“I’m not doing anything.” Nick turns to me, looking for help. But after he wasted my time and insulted Malcolm, I don’t care that this is embarrassing for Nick.
I fold my arms over my chest and shake my head. “I can’t believe you would do this.”
“It’s almost eight o’clock, so you should get going anyway.” Malcolm turns to the café, speaking up. “We’re closing in five minutes, so the show’s over, everyone.”
There’s a brief moment when no one moves, all still watching us. But when Nick finally accepts defeat and gets up from thetable, everyone else follows, packing their belongings and cleaning their areas.
Nick opens his mouth to say something to me. But I hold my hand up and turn my face away from him. He grunts through his teeth as he leaves, and I hope he’ll have enough sense to request a partner change from our professor.
Malcolm slips into the seat, his hand folding over mine. The normal few seconds of us touching pass, and Malcolm’s hand is still on mine. No words form on my tongue. How am I supposed to speak when his electric touch literally frazzles my brain?
Luckily, Tina bursts out of the back room and fills the quietness as the café grows empty.
“Malcolm, I’m leaving,” she says before turning to me. “I hate a bad date, so I’m glad I could help.”
And as I put it together, all I can do is laugh. “I was really confused for a second, but thanks, girl. I appreciate it.”
“Malcolm asked for the assist,” she says, nudging his shoulder. She then holds her hand out as Malcolm sheepishly smiles atme.
“Sorry, I almost forgot.” Malcolm reaches into his apron pocket and pulls out a small stack of bills, handing them to Tina. “Here.”
“Thanks again.”
“Nah, thank you.”
Tina’s already walking out, counting the money. “If it gets me this, anytime,” she calls out as the front door closes, leaving us alone.
“You gave her your tips?” I ask.
“That was the only way she would do it. In her words, ‘I’m apaidactress only.’ ” Malcolm shrugs. “It’s no big deal, just my tips for the day…and closing by myself. But it’s worth it ’cause I finally get to see your smile after ole boy stole it.”
I don’t even notice I’m smiling until his words cause the corners of my lips to twitch. “Thank you. But you really didn’t have to do that.”
“I promise it’s no big deal. Plus, I just took a page out of your book.”
“How? Tina’s the theater major, not me.”
“I meantA Different World.After the headphone incident, I restarted the show, and I recently watched that episode where Kimberly acts like Ron’s crazy girlfriend to save him from Whitley’s cousin, Liza.”
Laughter shakes my shoulders at the mention of the “headphone incident.” A couple of weeks ago, I thought my headphones were connected to my laptop when I started an episode ofA Different World.But apparently, my volume was set to max, and by the end of the theme song, Malcolm was tapping on my shoulder, notifying me that the whole café could hear it.
“I appreciate it,” I say. “I can’t believe a stupid bet to finally have a little fun turned out this bad.”
“First mistake was that you were betting on the wrong person.”
“What do you mean?”
“You should have bet on me for a date.”
I blink once. Twice. Three times. His statement refuses to process in my brain. Words fall out of my mouth without me thinking. “Oh, you’re being bold.” It’s supposed to come out flirty, but my genuine surprise masks my intention.
His face drops, and he retracts his hand. I freeze, hoping he doesn’t get the wrong impression. The longest five seconds pass before Malcolm finally speaks.
“I never wanted shit to be weird between us. Our friendship means a lot to me, and you know, there’s the cohort thing. I’dhate it if our vibe got messed up and it spread to the rest of our friends. But I’d regret it more if I didn’t admit your presence alone during my shifts makes them worthwhile.”
When I don’t respond because my heart is beating a mile a minute and I don’t trust the words that’ll come from my mouth, Malcolm throws up his hands. “Seriously though, I didn’t know if you liked me or were just stalking me,” he jokes, easing the tension.
