by Amanda Tru
He didn’t push the subject and led her out to his couch, offering her a seat on the far end, and he sat on the other side. Whereas the kitchen felt like the perfect place to talk and joke around, the living room had a different feel, like she had intruded on someone else’s space. Even though Drew hadn’t ever mentioned a girlfriend, her touches were all over his living room. There were far too many to ignore. If Drew had a girlfriend already, why had he asked Kaylie for a date, and why was she, herself, there?
“Now that you have your coffee, is your head feeling better?” She was at a loss for another topic, since asking about the throw pillows would be strange.
He rubbed his temple and set his cup down on the table next to him. “Yes, I believe it is. Thank you. I know it was crazy to seek you out, but I’m glad you answered.”
She stood back up and made her way to the patio door. He had a good view, but that’s not why she was there. There was an oppressive feeling she couldn’t shake, and the hair on her neck prickled to life. “It isn’t like I had much else going on today. I should probably go, now that you’re taken care of, though. Homework.” She made for the door. Her feet still throbbed from the walk over, and her coffee pot was still hot, but she could get it later.
“Addi, you don’t have to run off so quickly. Remember, pizza?”
Were his eyes hopeful, or was that just her imagination? Could she ignore that gut feeling like she didn’t belong there? “Right, pizza.” What could she possibly lose by staying a little longer, besides her heart?
He could tell himself till he was blue in the face that he wanted her to stay so he didn’t have to eat a whole pizza by himself, but he could probably do it if he had to. What he really wanted was to talk to Addi. Talking with her in the kitchen as she’d made his coffee, watching the expressions wash over her face like the waves on a beach as he joked with her, was so refreshing. It certainly wasn’t anything like chatting with Kaylie over text. Addi had managed to dispel his headache even before she’d handed him the cup.
When they’d finished a few slices of pizza, Addi had allowed him to pull her back into conversation. Now she sat back in her seat on the sofa, contemplating what she needed to say. Addi eyed him, pursing her lips slightly like she did before she was about to be brutally honest with him. He braced himself but didn’t want her to stop.
“I know I shouldn’t be here. My boss is going on a date with you. This week. You might have invited me over as a friend, but if Kaylie wants to date you, she won’t see it that way. Not that she would see me as competition, but she would be angry, and she’ll take it out on me, not you.”
He’d managed to keep her there for about an hour already, but he’d hoped she would stay longer. Addi stood and threw her paper plate in the trash. He hadn’t really considered she might feel that way when he invited her since he wasn’t dating Kaylie yet. After talking with her by text, he doubted Kaylie would want a second date. He wasn’t even sure she’d want to go with him on the first one once they met up.
“She might, but we were friends before the dating site. We’d talked a little bit at The Bean. It isn’t like I’m trying to date both of you.”
Addi flinched from across the room. “But we never spoke enough that we could be called friends. I don’t mind if we talk outside the coffee shop. I actually had a really great time here, but I don’t want to make Kaylie angry. She’s hard enough to work with as it is.”
He hadn’t seen her at The Bean, and he realized he hadn’t even been looking for her. “Is she back? I hadn’t noticed.”
Addi laughed briefly, and for a moment he felt better. “No, I don’t think she plans to come back. She replaced herself with Liberty, which is just fine with me. Liberty is amazing and actually helps me. Not that I’m talking about your girlfriend behind her back.” Addi’s eyebrow rose in challenge. He would be the first to admit, talking about Kaylie would be easy, almost too easy, and he shouldn’t do it. But if she was so negative, what did he see in her? Was it only that he thought he could change her, give her something she needed? Or did he hope to gain something too? He didn’t want to cancel the date, he’d waited for it. Too long. Now that it was on the horizon though, he wasn’t as excited as he’d thought he’d be.
“Liberty’s great, and she certainly talks more than Kaylie. That woman would talk your ear off if you’d let her. And with a smile, no less.”
Addi sat back down on the couch, and he pushed the pizza box out of the way on the coffee table, glad that for the moment anyway, she’d decided to stay.
“She would. She’s a small-town girl, who hasn’t let the big city change her. She’s friendly to everyone who comes in and treats them like she’s known them her whole life.”
“And she treats you better, which is why you started talking more, smiling more.” He cut his words off quickly. He couldn’t list anything else or she would realize just how closely he’d paid attention to her flourishing outlook the last couple weeks. Far more than he’d paid attention to the missing boss who he was supposed to be attracted to.
“Well, Liberty and I see each other as equals. Kaylie never did. She was the boss, and that was fine. Because she is.” Addi shrugged her narrow shoulders.
It bothered him that she would just stay at a job with a boss who treated her the way Kaylie did, just because she didn’t see the issue. “Just because she’s the boss, doesn’t mean she should belittle you. I’ve been a boss for three years; I don’t treat my employees that way.” It didn’t matter that he was his only employee.
“I needed the job. Her parents offered me one. I had no skills because I was focused on school through my ninth-grade year up until I got my Bachelor’s degree. Then I needed to work to continue. I didn’t realize until it was too late that Kaylie would be my boss. I can’t just quit, I have bills to pay.”
“I’m sure you do.” Who didn’t, and he still wanted to see her at the coffee shop, so having Kaylie take some time off was good for everyone.
“What do you hope to do with your degree, once you finish?” He sat back and got comfortable. She hadn’t made any further move for the door, so he could relax.
“I want to go into co-counseling at my church. There’s a psychologist there already, but he needs help.”
He’d never wished that Great River was smaller until that moment. It was great having everything he ever needed close by. But if it were, he might be able to find her church easily―without even asking―and surprise her some Sunday. But not in a city this big. “Where do you go?”
She chuckled slightly. “Grace, uptown. I have to take the bus, but it’s worth it.”
He nodded, he’d heard of that one, but had never been there. He liked his church, so it made no sense to hop around. “I go to Shiloh.”
She nodded enthusiastically. “That’s where Liberty goes! I’m surprised she hasn’t cornered you yet.”
He was too. It was probably only his penchant for showing up just on time and leaving immediately following that saved him from talking more to Liberty. While she was much better for Addi than Kaylie, she was too talkative for his taste.
“What will you do if Kaylie doesn’t want to go with you?” Addi’s voice lowered to almost a whisper.
He hadn’t wanted to face that, but he should make a plan. “I’m hoping she’ll go just because she won’t have anything else planned for the evening. I’m certainly a better prospect than that fern-kissy guy.”
Addi’s laugh burst from her lips. He’d never heard her relax so much and he couldn’t help smiling at the sound.
“‘Fern-Kissy Guy’? You’re far better than him, but that nickname will now live in infamy.”
He couldn’t stop staring at Addi’s lips after that glorious laugh. “Meaning, you’ll tell Liberty, and you’ll both laugh about it.”
“For hours.” She giggled some more. “But, now that you’ve kept me longer, I really do need to go. Homework calls.” She stood and closed the pizza box, then took it to the fridge. He
weighed his options, cab or scooter? He wanted to take her himself, but wouldn’t be able to carry her box with her coffee equipment. If he sent her by cab, she’d have no reason to come back.
“Let me wash up your coffee pot. It’s the least I can do.”
She came out of the kitchen and glanced around his living room like it was a cage. “I don’t need it. I don’t drink coffee so I can get it some other time.”
“Well, if that’s so, can I give you a ride home?”
She bit her lip. “I don’t usually tell people where I live.”
He took a step closer to her. She didn’t have to worry about him, didn’t she know that yet? “I’d feel much better if I knew you made it home safely. You trusted me enough to come here.”
Addi sighed and turned her head away from him, but it did nothing to hide the blush that crept up her cheeks. “It isn’t that I don’t trust you. It’s just, embarrassing. I live in the low-rent district.”
He smiled, hoping she understood he didn’t judge her. After all, it wasn’t like a barista―putting herself through a Master’s program―had a lot of extra money. “All the more reason for me to do it. It’s getting dark out.”
“I should’ve left sooner, but—” She bit her lip, cutting off her own words.
He understood, far too well. Lauren had that same pull. He could’ve talked to her for hours and then still called her before bed to talk some more. He usually hated to just sit and chat, but with the right woman, maybe?
No.
Addi wasn’t the right woman. She was only a friend. Because if she became more, he’d have to face more heartache. She would realize whatever Lauren had, and leave. He couldn’t do that twice in one lifetime.
Drew handed her a helmet that looked much like a bike helmet and helped her tighten the chin strap properly. She felt positively silly as he slipped on a matching one.
“I’ll need your address.” He stared into her eyes, but surely he had to see how ridiculous she looked. “410 Appleton,” she mumbled.
“Great. I actually know the way. Climb on.” He swung his leg over and slid forward to give her enough room.
Addi hesitated for a moment. She would have to hold onto him, maybe even hold tight to him depending on traffic. She took a deep breath and swung her leg over just as he had, then arranged her feet on the floorboard and tentatively put her hands on his waist. He turned slightly and looked at her through the corner of his eye, then turned the key to start it up. The machine sputtered to life under her. Drew pushed it for a few steps with his feet, then they were off.
It never really felt terribly cold in Texas, especially to a girl originally from Michigan, but as they drove down side streets and wove their way through one-ways, she was thankful she’d worn a sweater. Within a few minutes, she realized he wasn’t taking her directly home, but there was no way to ask him unless she got even closer to him. Addi held tight to his shirt and inched forward on the seat.
“Where are you taking me? I thought you said you knew the way.”
He turned his head slightly to acknowledge her. “I know the way. I’m just giving you a little ride. Thought you might enjoy it.”
He cut through some traffic and buzzed up a bicycle path through a park.
She laughed and pointed at the signs that clearly read No Motorized Vehicles.
He shrugged. “It’s late, and I see the police on their Segways all the time. I slowed down.”
He had, but her heart hadn’t. It felt just right sitting behind Drew on that scooter, letting him drive her around town, holding on to him. But when the night was over, Cinderella would turn right back into a lowly barista, and the pretty boss would get the prince.
Drew pulled over and parked near a bike rack. He slid off his helmet and hung it on the front handlebars. “Want to go for a little walk?”
Hadn’t she daydreamed of just that? But she couldn’t. As it was, she would have to stay up most of the night, writing her paper. “I really wish I could, but I do have to get home.”
He nodded but didn’t climb back on. “It’s just that,” He rubbed his nose and glanced off down the trail they’d just come down. “I want you to know you’re welcome to come over whenever you want. I feel, uh, comfortable with you.”
Her heart shriveled at the word. Comfortable. She was just another friend. She was no Cinderella, and he didn’t want to find her slipper. No one ever would. “Right. Got it. Now, can you bring me home?”
Tears pooled behind her eyes, burning the sensitive corners, but she blinked them away and thanked the Lord it was too dark for him to see. Once he had his date, he wouldn’t be a friend anymore either. If Kaylie realized how good he was, she would want him all to herself and Addi couldn’t fault her for that. She’d want it the same way.
Drew slid back on the scooter and fixed his helmet, then drove her the few blocks left to her apartment. The closer she got to home, the more the world seemed to close in. Tighter housing. Dirty streets. Police cars parked every few blocks. Until they’d neared her home, the afternoon had felt like a date, and now she didn’t want him to go any further, didn’t want him to see how she really lived. Addi let go of her hold on his shirt and touched his arm. Drew pulled the scooter over.
“Is something wrong? We’re almost there.”
“I think I can walk the rest of the way.” This way, she wouldn’t have to be disappointed by the goodbye, because it would never be anything like what her heart desired. Drew had never led her on. She was the one who put importance on his every word.
“I thought we already talked about this. I’m taking you all the way home. I kept you out later than you planned, so I need to make sure you get home all right.”
She bristled. “This is my neighborhood. I live here. I think I can manage to walk a few blocks.” Addi slid back on the seat to get off, and he took off again. The engine sputtered and revved to keep up with his demand. Addi wrapped her arms tightly around him to keep from sliding off the back. He pushed the little engine harder as it zipped down the darkening streets. A little later, he pulled up in front of her apartment building.
Her heart still pounded in her ears, but she wasn’t sure if it was the ride or clinging to Drew that made her breath come fast. She fumbled her way off the back of the scooter, and with shaking fingers, tried to unfasten the helmet. Drew didn’t laugh, bless him, but reached up and quickly squeezed the clasp, releasing her from it. She pulled it off and handed it to him, still not sure how she should say goodbye or if she should be angry that he’d just taken off when she’d still been talking.
“There, you’re home. Now I don’t have to worry about you.”
Why did he have to say things like that? To make her question whether he would’ve indeed had any thoughts about her at all after she’d left his apartment.
“Yes, no worries.” The idiotic words tripped off her tongue before she could stop them.
“I’ll see you Monday then?” He stood, flipped up his seat, and stored the helmet underneath.
“I’ll be there.” She backed away, sure he would just want to leave.
“It was good to hang out with you.” He sat back on the scooter and backed it away from the curb.
“Yeah, you too.” She waved and forced her feet to remain planted instead of running to her room and slamming the door shut on her life. Why couldn’t she ever be the one to get the great guy? Why was she always the one who got to hear about the great dates and fabulous kisses, but never the one to experience them?
He pushed the scooter in a U-turn, then took off in the direction he’d come. He never even actually said goodbye. She’d let her expectations ruin a perfectly wonderful and completely unexpected afternoon. Once she got into her room and leaned against her door, she batted away the tears threatening to spill down her cheeks, but finally settled on closing her eyes.
Why Lord? Why am I always the friend and never anything more? Will I be alone forever?
As Drew slid his tie to his neck, he sw
allowed the dread he couldn’t shake. Kaylie would be angry. He’d tried to fool himself since he got the original notice that maybe she would change her mind, but he’d had enough time to think about every possible scenario―and none of them were good.
His phone buzzed from its perch on his dresser, and he slid it forward. Kaylie had sent him a message.
Kaylie: I can’t wait to see you! I’ll meet you by the statue in Middle Park.
The same park he’d taken Addi the night before. He’d wanted to take her on a walk and talk more. Keep her for every minute and just enjoy being with someone who didn’t judge him in any way. Addi was about the closest thing to a close friend he’d had in a long time, and he craved time with her. Craved the way he felt when he was with her.
He quickly typed in the best response he could, then called a cab to pick him up. He would meet Kaylie at the park and then she would ride with him to the Center for the Arts to see a show. When that was done, if it seemed like Kaylie wanted to, they would go to his favorite sushi bar and eat. It would all be low-key, without any pressure on her to see him again if she didn’t want to because he couldn’t imagine her wanting to.
The cab ride flew by, and suddenly he arrived at the park. He asked the driver to wait and pushed open the door. Kaylie arrived by another cab a few minutes later. Her face, in picture-perfect pout, flashed surprise, then she turned from him, searching all along the sidewalk. Drew took a deep breath and approached her.
“Kaylie, I’m the Drew who came here to pick you up.”
She whipped around to face him. “You lied to me. There’s no way you could’ve seen my profile picture and not known it was me.”
He had known from the moment he opened the email from Betwixt2Hearts exactly who she was, but why hadn’t she recognized him? His picture wasn’t that old.
“My profile picture was there too. You never asked if it was me. Look, this doesn’t have to be a waste. Just come to the show with me, we’ll go out to eat afterward, then I’ll bring you home. We don’t even have to tell anyone if you don’t want to.”