Page 2 of Endless December (Sleepless November Saga 2)

Bree laughs, linking her arm with mine. "Honey, I've been asking myself that same question for a while now."

AS SOON AS MY class lets out, I rush through campus, excited for my first shift back at Dolce. I think out of everyone, I've missed Dawson the most. My life has felt empty without his sarcastic wit and snappy comebacks.

I push through the doors of the coffee house, immediately looking for the blue-eyed boy. He spots me first and runs over, wrapping me in a bear hug and catching me off guard.

"I missed you!" I giggle happily.

"Duh, who wouldn't?" He quips before smiling. "I missed you, too. How are you?"

My eyes soften. "I'm good, really."

"Good. I was worried about you."

I smile sadly and shrug, knowing we can't really talk about it here. I go into the bathroom, changing into my uniform and stuffing my clothes into my bag. When I come back out, I take an apron and toss it over my head. Dawson does the same.

"Tie mine?" He asks.

I roll my eyes playfully. "You're probably the only person I know who can't tie something behind your back."

He chuckles. "Doubtful. It's backwards and unnatural. You're just weird."

The girls from the shift before us take off, leaving Dawson and I to deal with the crowd. The constant line of people hardly gives us any time to catch up, and I find myself willing time to pass faster so him and I can talk. I really need to vent.

Halfway through our shift, a loud motorcycle pulls up out front. A guy in a brown leather jacket and black helmet climbs off it.

"Who is that?!" I question out loud.

Dawson comes over and stands next to me. "Your next beau, I'm guessing?"

I hum contently, checking him out from head to toe. He's tall, and I can tell from where his jacket is open, he's muscular. There is something familiar about him I can't put my finger on. He turns away as he takes his helmet off.

"It's not..." As he turns around, I find myself looking directly at Holden. "Fuck."

Dawson starts cackling hysterically, gripping onto the counter to try to keep himself from falling over. "I'm sorry. That's just too good!"

I narrow my eyes at him, biting my lip to keep away my laughter. My expression only causes him to laugh harder. That's one thing I've missed about him. He's never been afraid to tell it like it is.

The door chimes, signaling it was opened. I look away from Dawson to find Holden standing at the counter.

Okay, Kayleigh. Game face.

"How can I help you?" I ask stoically.

In typical Holden fashion, he isn’t phased. "Hey." He breathes, smiling softly.

How is it that we can go the entire summer without talking, and yet he still has the power to turn me into a puddle of mush? Everything about him is like a drug to me – and I crave it. The way his eyes bore into mine, and that irritating smirk. Wait, that smirk.

Fuck. He knows I'm checking him out.

I open my mouth to speak, when a girl interrupts me.

"Holden, over here!" She calls.

Both our heads turn towards the voice. It's the same girl I saw him with yesterday. Her short brown hair and skin tight clothing don't really seem like his type, but I guess people change. He nods once before turning back to me.

"Excuse me." He says simply, and walks over to her.

Dawson appears next to me. "I was going to ask if you two have talked, but I guess I don't need to."

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