Page 28 of Latte Girl
“Can I tempt you with a baked good?”Iask.
“I’ll pass,” he says with a laugh, and then rocks back and forth on his heels, as if deciding whether or not to go through with whatever he’s about tosaynext.
“So, Hailey,” he begins, still swaying back and forth, “there’s this employee night out on Friday, some social committee thing they hold at a cocktail bar every month. Since you said you’re over at the Knox building so much, I just thought maybe you’d like to come along. People bring dates,girlfriends—”
My eyes must go wide with alarm because Steve blushes and backpedalsabit.
“Sorry, that didn’t come out right. Guests. People bringguests.”
I glance over to where Brittney and Trisha are doing a very bad job of hiding the fact that they’re eavesdropping. Stevenoticestoo.
“You should all come!” he suggests with a hint of desperation. “Really, it’s just an excuse to escape 19thStreet and let loose a little. You would all be more thanwelcome.”
“Are you inviting usallon a date, or just Hailey?” asks Brittney slyly, and I remind myself to punch herlater.
Steve gives a nervous laugh and tugs at his collar. I don’t think the conversation is taking the direction he intended. He turns and addresses medirectly.
“Look Hailey, no pressure. I just thought it might be a good chance to catch up. I’d love to hear what you’ve beenupto.”
“You’re looking at it,” I say, gesturing around the cafe before deciding to cut him a break. The words fly out of my mouth before I can consider what I’m agreeing to. “I’ll bethere.”
I throw a look at Trisha and Brittney, who are both doubled over with suppressed laughter, and add, “We’llbethere.”
Steve looks relieved enough to jump up on the counter and start playing air guitar. “Awesome!” he all butshouts.
We confirm that we’re both still using the same phone numbers we had a few years ago, and Steve promises to text me the event details before leaving the store. The door hasn’t even shut behind him when my coworkers explode into snorts andguffaws.
“Thanks, guys,” I say, throwing them the most serious shade I canmuster.
“Oh my god,” gasps Brittney, clutching at the counter. “That was mostawkwarddate invitation I’ve everheard.”
“It’s not a date,” I try to snap, but I start tolaughtoo.
“You should have seen your face,” Trisha chokes out between hiccups, “when he mentioned that people bring theirgirlfriends.”
“Yeah, yeah! You were like—” Brittney sucks in a breath and opens her eyes as wide as they can go, jerking backwards like someone who’s just been startled by a giantspider.
Trisha is now laughing so hard she’s gone silent, her face turning a bright red as she struggles to breathe. “My stomach!” she gulps, slapping thecounter.
I roll my eyes and cross my arms in front of my chest, trying my best not to indulge them. I exhale loudly to cover up asnort.
“Whowasthat guy?” demands Brittney, finally calming down a bit. “Awkward or not, he wasgorgeous.”
“He’s my ex-boyfriend,” Iannounce.
Brittney and Trisha find this hilarious for some reason, and start erupting into laughter all overagain.
“Laugh all you want,” I say, heading into the kitchen, “but you’re both coming on our not-date onFriday.”
