There’s a moment of silence, but it’s not uncomfortable. We’ve always been able to exist in the quiet like this. I read, and he looks over hockey plays or something, but this time something feels off.
He finally shifts, like he’s trying to work up courage for something. “I wanna ask you something,” he says, his voice softer than before.
“Okay,” I sit up, folding my legs beneath me.
He clears his throat and scratches the back of his neck. “Will you go to prom with me?”
I blink, stunned into silence for a beat, because I don’t go to school with him, and I thought he'd have asked one of the cheerleaders or something. “Yes! Yes, of course!”
His smile spreads, and my heart flips. “Cool. That’s…cool.”
I sit back against the wall beside him, the book forgotten in my lap, and think about the possibility. What it would be like to be with Hayden not just as best friends, but…more. But the fear creeps in. What if it changes everything? What if I lose the only person who ever truly saw me?
Is this what it will always be for us, the what if?
“So,” he says, tapping his fingers on his leg. “you’re going to let me take you dress shopping, right?”
I snort. “No way. I’m not dragging you through racks of lace and sparkles.” Plus, I don’t feel right having him pay for my dress. “Plus, I can buy my own dress, I promise not to embarrass you.”
“You'll never embarrass me, so stop thinking you will.” I stay quiet for a moment, because I don’t know what to say to him. “Too late,” he grins. “I’m coming. I have a say in the color. Plus, I want to be there when you try them on.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re not going to be helpful.”
“I’m very helpful. I’ll hold your purse and tell you which dresses make you look like a cupcake.”
“And then I’ll hit you with a hanger.”
“Totally worth it.” He leans his head back against the wall, his smile soft. “It’s a date.”
“A date,” I repeat quietly, tasting the word on my tongue, wondering if he meant it the way I want him to.
But for now, I let it be simple. Let it be enough. Let it be him and me in the treehouse, with sunlight and romance novels, and the boy who always manages to make me smile.
Present day
The bass still echoes in my chest even after hours of being surrounded by it. I don’t think I’m ever going to get used to how busy this place can be.
My hands work on muscle memory alone now, pouring drinks, calculating tabs, and flashing tight smiles at flirtatious men, and some women too. Now, I do find that a compliment.
Leo had been here again tonight with his friends. There wasn’t a word from him, but his eyes never left me. That stare, it drilled holes into my back all night. It made me feel like I was balancing on a thread. I didn’t react. Didn’t acknowledge him. That was the win I needed.
I have no idea what game he is playing with me, but I wish I could punch him.
Jess finally waves me off near closing. I sigh, pulling off my apron and stretching out my arms as I walk toward the back office to grab my bag.
“You working tomorrow?” Jess asks.
“No, I've something after school, and I don’t think I'll survive another night, it was crazy tonight.” I joke with her and close my locker. “Just need to talk to Mr. Cain, see you later.” I wave to her, and make my way up to his office, as I see the cleaning crew have already started.
Knocking on the door, I wait for him to shout come in, and when he does I walk in. He’s talking to Lincoln, then his eyes move to me as I close the door behind me.
"You survived another night," he says, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. Now I’ve seen some sexy men, hell I’ve read about sexy men, and Mr. Cain is someone who should be written about. He’s hot.
“Barely,” I reply with a tired smile. “I wanted to ask, can I forward eighty percent of my paycheck to my dad’s account? I don’t need much, just my essentials and books.”
Cain leans back, nodding slowly. “Done. You’re consistent, Olivia. I like that.” He pauses, his expression shifting, he takes a moment to look at me, and for some reason the look in his eyes shifts a little. “How are you finding the job? Any trouble?”
“It’s good. Busy keeps me sane,” I answer. “The staff are all nice, Jess is amazing, and as long as I can work and study, I’m good.”
