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“That's crazy,” I say, shaking my head.
“Yeah, you’re telling me. The pizza guy knows my name and my order.”
“What about your kids?” I ask. “Who looks after them when you work late?”
He smiles. “Shirley.”
“Shirley's been with you for a while, hasn't she?” he nods.
“Yeah. Just over ten years.”
“She must be important to you.”
“She’s like family,” he admits. “After Marley died, the kids missed some of that stability, and I found Shirley brought a bit of that back for them.”
“What about your parents?” I ask him.
“They died years ago, and Marley’s are gone, too.”
“Wow,” I mumble, my heart aching for him. “Poor kids.”
“Exactly,” he says. “Shirley was just another rock in their lives when everything felt like it was falling apart.”
“And yours, too, I bet,” I say softly.
He smiles. “Yes. Mine, too.”We talk a little while longer, about everything from our pasts to our futures, to our favorite things, and everything in between—until Nick's phone rings to interrupt us. It’s our dinner, and while he goes outside to get it, I hang back on the stage and look around.
I could stay here all night.
It really is just the perfect place to think. When Nick walks back in, and I remember how hungry I am, I sit down, and we eat. It doesn't take us long to demolish the whole pizza.
“Maybe I should've ordered two,” he chuckles.
“Maybe you should have,” I agree.
“And you didn't even think to bring a bottle of wine,” I tease him. “Such an amateur.”
He grins. “I did say I’d been out of the dating scene for a while.”
“Excuses,” I say, narrowing my eyes.
“This has been great,” he says, reaching for my hand. “I've enjoyed tonight.”
“Me too,” I admit.
He glances at his phone and sighs. “I wish we didn't have to end this so soon, but I promised Shirley that I’d be back by nine. She has something on early in the morning.”
“That's okay. I'm kind of hoping that you’ll take me on more of these things,” I tease.
“Dates?” he asks. “I can assure you there will be plenty more,” he says. He leans in and kisses me. I sigh as his lips press against mine. “Are you ready to go?”
“Actually, do you mind if I hang around here for a little longer?” I ask him.
He frowns at me. “Sure, but how will you get home?”
I roll my eyes. “It’s not even nine, Nick. I can walk the five minutes, I’m sure.”
He smiles and kisses me, his eyes leveling on mine. “Okay. But text me when you get home, or I’ll worry about you.” He hands me the key and smiles at me. “I’ll get that back off you tomorrow.”
“You, uh, have something of mine, too,” I mumble, my cheeks heating.
He frowns, then smiles when he remembers what he has safety stashed in his pocket.
“Ah,” he murmurs, pulling them out. “I was hoping these would end up under my pillow tonight.”
“Creepy, much?” I say with a laugh. I lunge forward and snatch them from him, then put them on, threading them through my legs. I pull them up without revealing too much, while he watches, a smirk on his face.As soon as I’m alone, I walk around the building, admiring it from every angle. Every step I take I see a new mark, another piece of history. I run my finger over the latest set of initials that someone has caved into the date wall in the lobby and smile. I know they’re new because of whose they are.
NJ + AM = 4EVA
He must have done that when he went to collect the pizza. My heart swells as I run my finger over his initials and smile. He is so damn sweet. Why couldn’t my father see that?
Sighing, I sit down on one of the old chaise armchairs in the lobby, a feeling of regret coming over me. I should’ve come here more often because now, I wasn’t going to have the chance.
This might be the last time I see this place in its original form.
I’m sure Nick will do amazing things, but it still makes me sad. I know it’s silly for me to be so invested in a place I’d been to maybe twice since the time with my mother, but I couldn’t help it. I guess in a way, it reminded me of how much time had passed without her in my life. Chances are, I’d never see her again.
My phone buzzes gently in my pocket. I fish it out and see a message from Nick.
Nick: Is everything okay?
Confused, I check the time. Shit. He left me close to two hours ago. Embarrassed, I text him back.
Me: Sorry, I guess I got distracted. I'm leaving now.
I place my phone back into my pocket and walk toward the exit, where I let myself outside and lock the door. I shiver, wishing I’d had the foresight to take a jacket with me. I walk down the steps and look around. There’s not a single other person in sight. I’m not usually someone who scares easily, but the darkness of the night, combined with the complete silence, and I’m jumpy. That, and I can't shake the feeling that someone is watching me.
