Page 15 of Love Will Save Your Soul

Adrian

There’s a sinkingfeeling in the pit of my stomach. The beer I’m currently holding does nothing to squelch it. Sophia has been long gone for over an hour, but the nagging feeling that I shouldn’t have let her leave doesn’t go away.

It has nothing to do with selfish reasons, either. The chance to hang out with her, away from everyone else at the shop. Even though the thought alone terrifies me, it’s still not a good idea. It’s as if danger is creeping around the corner. Not for me, but for her. The car that pulled out right behind her doesn’t help things. I’m not normally the paranoid type, but something felt off about it. Maybe I should call her and make sure she made it home safely.

Music from the band playing tonight makes it almost impossible to make a phone call, so I decide to text instead. I could go outside; except I’m not going to. Honestly, a text message feels safer. There’s less of a chance of rejection, or hearing her tell me to mind my own business.

Adrian: Did you make it home okay?

Sophia: How did you get my number?

Adrian: Um… You gave it to all of us when you starting working at the shop.

No response comes through, and I text her again.

Adrian: Do you not remember? I can delete it if you want.

Sophia: No, it’s okay. It’s just you are the only person who hasn’t used my number. It shocked me.

Adrian: I’m not as needy as the rest of our co-workers. :)

The band begins tearing down their instruments, calling it a night, and music filters through the speakers as I watch three little dots show up on the screen. They’ve been there for a while. Is she writing a novel?

I laugh out loud, earning a few stares, when her message finally pops up.

Sophia: I’ve noticed.

All that time for two words. Do I make her as nervous as she makes me? This whole schoolboy crush is a new feeling for me. Well, maybe not new, but it’s been a while. I’m pushing thirty, and the last time I felt this way… I got burned.

Adrian: So, did you make it home okay?

Sophia: Yeah. Ran into a slight problem, but I finally made it home. Do you check on our other co-workers like this?

Adrian: Nope. Just the pretty ones.

I hit send before I can delete. “Fuck,” I groan, and bang my head on the bar. That was completely out of line. Having feelings for her doesn’t mean, I can try to chase her like a lion chases a damn gazelle. Not to mention, I sound like a total douche. She’ll never respond after that. I’ve fucked this up without meaning to. Plus, I opened the door wide open on something I meant to keep firmly shut. My head jerks up when my phone vibrates in my hand.

Sophia: You think I’m pretty?

What the hell? This feels like a trick question. I may be the one who brought it up, but I wasn't expecting that response. Is she asking because she has feelings for me, and this is her way of hinting at it? Or, is it because she is genuinely interested in what I think?

Adrian: I mean, yeah, sure.

Sophia: You don't sound confident in your answer.

She has to be baiting me. It’s what Miranda used to do when she needed an ego boost. That woman would get under my skin, and ask until I gave her a favorable response. Looking back, I can see what a disaster we were together. We never would have worked out because she would always keep trying to shape me into the man she thought I should be. Instead of letting me be myself.

Sophia: Did I scare you away?

I completely forgot I was in the middle of a conversation before my thoughts turned toward the train wreck my life could have become.

Adrian: Sorry. I got distracted. I do think you're really pretty, though.

Sophia: Distracted by what? Are you with someone?

Adrian: Only if you count a bar full of people as someone.

Sophia: After the night I've had, I almost wish I was at a bar.

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