Page 61 of Awakened in September (Sleepless November Saga 4)

A COUPLE DAYS PASS, and I can no longer resist the urge to go see Kayleigh at work. All I’ve heard since she started there is how great Dawson is. I figure it’s time for me to meet the guy who could potentially be trying to steal her from me – not that she’s even mine to begin with.

I pull up to the coffee house. It’s a small place with a big sign above the entrance. DOLCE. Taking a second before I go inside, I can see Kayleigh through the window. She’s leaning against the counter while her and Dawson are talking about something. When he steps closer to her, I decide to make my entrance. She’s focused on her phone as I approach the counter, so she doesn’t see me yet.

“How can I help you?”

“Well, you could start with your phone number.” I quip.

Her head snaps up with eyes widened. She seems flustered for a moment and I watch her blatantly check me out. Almost as if she realizes her actions, she shakes herself out of it and smirks.

“Mmm, you’re not my type, sorry.”

What? Is she just saying that because he’s here? “Oh? And what is your type?”

She looks back at Dawson for a second and I feel my stomach churn. Thankfully, she returns her focus to me before I make a fool of myself. “Hockey players, frat boys, you know.”

When all the tension leaves my body, I feign surprise. “Well, lucky for you I’m both of those.”

She giggles. “You don’t say.”

When I lean on the counter, Kayleigh steps back. It’s not that I was going to kiss her but knowing she doesn’t want me to, is slightly disappointing. I play it off well, however, and instead decide to look for the guy who has been stealing all her time.

“So, where’s your new beau?” I stretch forward to see past the coffee machines.

She turns toward her new friend. “Daws, please tell him you’re interests do not involve getting in my pants.”

Her blunt attitude towards the matter shocks me. Dawson, on the other hand, just laughs and slips his phone in his pocket before coming over to us.

“Hey. Holden, right?” He extends his hand to shake mine.

“Yeah, and you are?” I hear Kayleigh chuckle beside us but I keep my eyes on him.

“Dawson, but you already knew that.” He’s bold.

I laugh slightly and nod. “Yeah, I did.” Releasing his hand, I cross my arms to look intimidating. “It’s so nice of you to get Kayleigh a job here. Funny, because she doesn’t even need a job.” My sarcasm does not go unnoticed.

“Holden.” She warns but Dawson remains unaffected.

“Well, you know what they say. Misery loves company.”

His arrogance is galling and my eyes narrow. “Apparently. And you two work the same shift? That’s awesome.”

“Careful bro, your jealousy is showing.”

Every part of me wants to reach over the counter and grab him, but Kayleigh’s voice pulls my attention away. “Okay, can you two not? Please?”

Dawson drops his façade and pulls out his phone, messing with it for a minute before handing it to me. “My girlfriend and I have been together for 4 years now. High school sweethearts.” He explains as I scroll through the plethora of happy photos. “I’m proposing over Christmas break on a vacation to Aruba.”

I’ve met plenty of guys who aren’t faithful, but I don’t think any of them look this loved up in pictures with their girlfriend. I sigh and give him back his phone. “Sorry man.”

He smiles. “Hey, I get it. I’d be the same way if Skylar became good friends with some random guy.”

Kayleigh slightly panics and we both respond at the same time. “We’re not together.”

The look on his face screams that he doesn’t believe a word of that, and a small laugh leaves his mouth. “Right.” He excuses himself to go do some work, leaving me alone with Kayleigh.

“So, how about that phone number cutie?”

I bask in the blush that coats her cheeks, but her smile drops as she looks behind me. I’m about to see what she’s looking at, but I don’t have to.

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