Page 107 of Falling Backwards
His typing indicator comes back up, and I’m struck by nervousness about what he’ll say next.He might be taking back that last thing.Or taking back that he can go anywhere at all with me.Or—
LUKE:What do you think, should I get into writing poetry?
Poetry?
After a second of re-re-rereading, I get the joke, and a laugh escapes me.
ME:Yes, right away!Look at that top-notch rhyme
LUKE:I know, look at it.And I just came up with that on the fly
ME:Natural talent if I’ve ever seen it
I realize I’m steadily giggling at the same time that my also-giggling friends make it clear they’ve been watching me.
“Is that Luke?”Emma asks suggestively.“What’s he saying that’s got you so bubbly?”
Joy adds, “Is he divulging all the delicious secrets behind making perfect margaritas?”
That has me laughing anew.
But even though this conversation with him is light and innocent, I actually feel like keeping it between us.Don’t really feel like sharing it with the girls.
In truth, I also haven’t shared the fitting room story with them.I want that to stay ours.
So I tell them, “He’s being goofy in a way that doesn’t get on my nerves.”Before they can ask anything else, I tack on, “I forgot about asking for drink secrets, though.I’ll do that soon.Should I only mention margaritas, or…?”
As I hoped, this distracts them.They start listing off other beverages that they’d enjoy knowing how to make.
I don’t catch all of them, though.My brain wants to go back over the messages instead of pay attention.
Luke really canbefunny sometimes.
L U K E
As far as earning tips goes, slow work shifts aren’t my favorite.However, it’s so cold and wet outside today and sleep eluded me for so long last night that I kind of appreciate how easy brunch has been thus far.
The only interesting things that have happened are Paxton showing up again, which has brought conversation, and Maggie’s ex being seated at a table near my bar with his girlfriend, which has brought curiosity.
It’s possible he hasn’t actually been peeking at the front of the house because he’s searching for Maggie.It’s possible my brain has simply settled into lookout mode because of Kyle.
All that’s for certain is he keeps sneaking looks over there while he hangs all over his girlfriend, and I keep noticing.It reminds me of a couple weeks ago when he was here and he all but groped that girl right in front of Maggie.
Well, heisa lame-ass, so maybe he’s still hoping to make his ex jealous somehow.
I remember how she looked at me in that shirtless minute yesterday.
Did she ever look at him that way?I can’t help wondering quietly.All rapt and wide-eyed and sincere and like she felt breathless from the mere sight of him?
I mean, they were together for several months, so I’m sure they were…physically intimate….
Even briefly thinking about that puts an unwelcome feeling in my stomach.
I clear my throat and start working on the mimosa order that, funny enough, is coming in from Marcus’s table; his girlfriend wants a third one.
Obviously, he and Maggie were attracted to each other to some degree.Of course he didn’t disgust her.But he seems sowhatever, you know?I never witnessed a truly connected moment between them any of the times I saw them together.I never saw a spark, was never forced to roll my eyes and tell her crossly,‘Get a room.’
