He was back a moment later, and from the edge to his pursed lips I already knew it would be a short visit.
“I’m sorry. There’s somewhere I need to be,” Noah said with an apologetic smile as he picked up his cup from the table.
“Work?”
He nodded as he collected his messenger bag.
“Okay. I guess I’ll see you on Wednesday, then?” I tried not to sound too disappointed.
Noah paused after slipping on his bag. “Ah, I’m heading out of town today for work. I’ll be gone the rest of this week.”
He held up his sleek phone as if it were Exhibit A during a murder trial, before sliding it into his pocket.
“Oh.” My lips parted in surprise. “You travel for work?”
“Occasionally. Some of our clients are local, but we have accounts all over the country. I’ll be in Seattle until Friday.”
“Oh. Wow, okay. That’s neat.”
My mouth didn’t have anything else to say, and Noah was just standing there while I sat awkwardly.
“Emma.” Noah squinted and faced me head-on. “I’d like to see you when I return on Friday.”
He’d like to see me on Friday.
“Oh,” I repeated like a broken record as warmth spread through my body. “You’d like to see me. Okay, sure. Yeah. That sounds… fun.”
A smile was fighting its way onto his face, but he won the battle before I could see it fully formed.
“Friday, then,” Noah said firmly before turning and making quick work of weaving through the students mingling about on the patio.
“Friday,” I whispered to his back before slumping over the table.
It was going to be a long week.
I took a sip of coffee to try and relax after that impromptu interrogation. The restlessness got to me, and I pulled out my own phone as Noah disappeared around the corner. I was surprised to see a text that had come in unnoticed during class.
Cupcake Thief: Why do men have nipples? Seems kinda pointless, don’t you think?
The smile was quick to take, and my cheeks ached slightly from the force behind it. Was this boy serious?
Emma: I don’t know… They seem kind of pointy to me? At least when it’s cold.
Cupcake Thief: No. Nonono. Please don’t tell me you like puns, Cupcake! Please?
Emma: Okay, I won’t tell you I like puns.
Cupcake Thief: Puns are the lowest form of humor, I’ll have you know. They aren’t even funny.
Emma: But they’re punny!
Cupcake Thief: This brownie you owe me better be worth it.
Emma: Only 45 more points to go.
Cupcake Thief: Any chance I could get an advance on those?
Emma: Tell me a pun, and I’ll see what I can do.
