Page 22 of More Than Chemical
Jay politely refused. Something about showering and a group project. He left and so did we.
Emma came up beside me. “Strange that Jay was coming in from a run when you said he was going for one.”
“I must have mixed it up.” I kept on, not missing a step.
“Humph.” She didn’t say another word—all the way to the diner.
Thank God, because the lying had to stop. I’d meet Dallas for coffee and figure out that I really didn’t like him, that he didn’t meet all five requirements on my list, that he was not a good candidate to cure my insomnia. Then it would be over. No harm done. After that, I’d tell my friends the truth. And we’d all have a good laugh about it. I hoped.
Nine
Girl Meets Boy for Coffee
After breakfast, I showered off the smell of eggs, bacon, and hash browns and changed into something casual but nice. I had my shift at the bookstore, and right after, I’d meet Dallas at the coffee shop.
I wore my dark-blue jeans that hugged me in all the right places and a green wool sweater to match my eyes. I made sure to wear the only sexy bra and matching panties I owned. The ones I’d bought with a gift card from Christmas and still hadn’t removed the tags. They were black and lacy, and the underwear was a T-back-style thong.
“Where are you going?” Priya was on her computer as I was about to leave.
“Work.” I zipped up my jacket and could feel the string of the thong in the crack of my butt. I sure hoped I’d get used to it.
“Oh, that’s right.” She stopped typing. “We didn’t get an extra ticket to tonight’s game. Do you want to meet us after?”
I paused. Until this moment, I hadn’t thought past the coffee shop. If Dallas and I hit it off, maybe he’d want to keep hanging out. “I’m not sure. Text me after the game?”
“Okay.” She nodded as I left.
Now the challenge would be keeping myself in job mode for the next few hours. I was already dizzy, and my chest was growing tighter with each minute that passed.
Somehow I powered through and remained calm despite the constant flood of sorority girls demanding a form-fitting hockey shirt we’d gotten in and already sold out of in a few days. But when I showed up at the coffee shop after work, I could barely breathe. My insides were a pulpy mass. As if spring had hit, the snow melting and turning the ground into a soggy sponge.
I walked in and glanced around. I didn’t know why I looked. Dallas wasn’t there. I could feel it.
In line, I scanned the menu on the wall behind the counter. It was past four o’clock—my self-imposed cutoff time—so I couldn’t have caffeine. I decided on decaffeinated herbal tea. Citrus blend.
I ordered, grabbed the paper cup, and settled at a small table for two in the back. I didn’t want to be near the front windows where Dallas could see me eagerly waiting when he arrived.
From my jacket pocket, I took my phone out and woke it up. Five twenty-eight. I checked my inbox. Nothing but spam and an email from Mom. She’d gotten into the habit of communicating with me this way.
Hi Honey,
I was going through boxes in the basement and found one with your figure skating awards. I think you should go through it, keep what you want and throw out the rest. I can come pick you up from school and drive you back anytime.
Love, Mom
It was her passive way of asking when I’d be coming home again. I wanted to answer her withnever. I couldn’t go home, not with Dad there. I’d cut him off, deleted him from my new college life. I couldn’t have him around when I was trying to be someone completely different.
Quickly, I typed back a response, telling her that I was busy at school, didn’t have time, and wondered if she wanted to come here and get dinner together the following day. I pressed send.
“Hi,” a familiar voice said above me.
I glanced up, and the sensation of rising waters filled me. “You’re here.”
The moment I said those words was the same moment I wanted to take them back. I sounded uncertain, desperate.
“Of course.” He stripped off his jacket and put it over the chair across from me. “I’m going to get some coffee. Want anything?”
I shook my head and pointed to my cup. He’d just proved me wrong on another item on my list. Number three. I thought he’d be self-absorbed, but he’d just offered to buy me a coffee. Selfish people didn’t do that.
