Page 85 of Without a Doubt

“Are you looking forward to not spending every waking moment with him?”

“I liked staying there, but I am looking forward to having a sense of normalcy and balance again. How are things with Parker? What have I missed?”

“Nothing as big as an I love you. I've been letting him in a little more. I don't know how he does it, but he's making it almost easy for me.” She shakes her head as if she can't believe it.

“It's because you really like him and you want him to know.”

“Maybe.” We walk into the classroom and take our seats. Catherine leans over and whispers, “So, do you want to move in with him now?”

“I haven't thought about it.” Not really anyway. Living with him for one week doesn't really show if I should move in, does it? Although, if it's a possibility, we'll need to decide by the end of next month, so I know what to do next semester. I liked staying with him, but am I ready for that? Do I want to move in now when I could spend the rest of my college time in the dorm with Catherine? Maybe it's time since I only have a year and a half yet. If we're as serious as I think we are, why wait?

I haven't had the key to his apartment a week and now look at me. Already trying to figure out if I should move in. Emerson isn't ready for it. Otherwise, he would have asked me to move in. He didn't. He gave me the key instead. I should listen to that sign.

After classes, I have to go to work. It's a slow night and the time drags by. I clean to help pass the time. It's so slow that I wish I brought my textbooks to sneak in some reading time. I'm mopping the floors when a customer walks in. My stomach tightens. It's that creepy guy. I haven't seen him in a while.

“Just a second,” I tell him as I walk around and wash my hands.

“I don't mind waiting, beautiful.” His hands are shaking. When he catches me noticing them, he stuffs them in his pockets.

“What can I get you?” I ask.

He tells me his order. While I prepare it, I keep glancing at him, feeling as if I need to be on alert. While he flirts, making dumb and gross connections between sex and the various foods he can place on his sub, I watch him. He absentmindedly scratches his arms and keeps pacing. I can't even manage a believable smile or fake laugh at his pick up lines, if you can even call them that. He doesn't notice though. I wonder if he's addicted to drugs. He's acting as if he's fidgeting and needing his next fix. I hurry to check him out, hoping he'll leave.

He doesn't.

Instead, he leans on the counter, putting him a little closer to me. “Do you have a boyfriend, Eva?”

Stupid name tag. “Yes.”

“Would he be up for a threesome?” His eyes are jumping all over the place like he can't focus.

“No,” I answer curtly.

“What time do y'all close?”

“Eight.” Why won't he leave? My nerves worsen the longer he stares at me, assessing me, and searching for something.

He reaches behind him when the bell on the door dings, making him jump. Relief floods me when I see Glen. The guy grabs his cup with one hand and snatches his bag with the other, glaring at me and the smile I gave Glen. He shakes his head, muttering under his breath as he walks out.

“I love you,” I tell Glen the moment the guy is out the door.

He laughs. “What did I do now?”

I lift my chin toward the door. “Got that guy to leave. What are you doing here?”

“Late dinner.” I walk over to fix his usual and he continues, “Emerson seems to be holding up.”

I nod. “Have you talked to him today?” I feel bad I've only been able to text him a few times.

“Yeah. He seems all right. How are you doing?”

Shrugging, I say, “I'm ready for life to be normal, but I'm glad Emerson is handling it as well as can be expected.”

We talk some more and Glen hangs out as I close up. I'm grateful for his company. It's nice to be able to catch up with him because I've been so absorbed in Emerson, I haven't talked much to him either. I hug him tightly before we part ways, telling him we need to all go to Smitty's soon.

Even though it's around nine when I get to Emerson's, I beat him home. I quickly shower before plopping down on the couch to read a chapter in my textbook. Emerson comes home about an hour later. I glance over at him.

“How was your day?” I ask as he walks over to kiss my cheek.

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