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I toss popcorn into the air, Dawson catching it in his mouth easily. It’s things like this that I’ve missed - the carefree feeling of letting loose. I feel it when I’m with Holden, but there is always that little part of me that feels like I need to impress him. With Dawson, there is none of that. Maybe because he has a girlfriend or because neither of us are attracted to each other. It’s just a friendship – a completely platonic friendship.
“Come on, please? We would have so much fun together. You have to! I’m going to die of boredom if you don’t.” Dawson pouts, sliding the application toward me.
I sigh, knowing that I’d rather do anything than work in a coffee house. It’s not that I don’t want to work, it’s just that my anxiety makes it difficult. But, I guess getting paid to spend time with someone who’s quickly becoming my best friend, wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
“Ugh, fine. Pen?”
And that’s how I ended up standing behind the counter at Dolce, taking the orders of my fellow students and passing them to Dawson to make. Training was easy, and only took us a matter of half a day before he could leave me on my own. I must admit, when we aren’t busy, we have a lot of fun together.
One person who hasn’t been a big fan of my new job, however, is Holden. He’s convinced that Dawson has ulterior motives and working together is a way for him to get more time with me. I may have believed him, had I not spent a full six hours listening to Dawson gush about how much he loves and misses his girlfriend. Needless to say, his assumptions are wrong.
“Seriously, this job is going to make me hate coffee forever. I hope you’re happy.” I tell Dawson.
“Oh good. That’ll make two of us.” He replies, throwing the towel down on the counter.
The place has been packed since we got here ten minutes ago, and the two girls on the shift before us practically ran out as soon as we walked in. Since then, it has been constant chaos. If I wasn’t getting college credits for this, I would highly consider quitting.
Dawson groans as he hears the bell of the door opening, and makes his way back to his station while I laugh and finish typing out a text to Holden.
“How can I help you?” I ask, still looking down at my phone.
“Well, you could start with your phone number.”
I know that voice. Holden.
I lift my head and sure enough, he’s standing there looking as gorgeous as ever in his Hollister hoodie and jeans, with his hair styled into a quiff. He even went as far as wearing more cologne than usual.
“Mmm, you’re not my type, sorry.” I sass.
Holden’s eyes widen. “Oh? And what is your type?”
Dawson and I share a look, but I see realization on his face when he sees who it is. So, instead of coming to my rescue, he just laughs and shakes his h
ead, leaning against the counter and typing on his phone.
If he wants to play this game, I’ll play. “Hockey players, frat boys, you know.”
He mocks surprise. “Well, lucky for you I’m both of those.”
“You don’t say.” I chuckle.
Holden leans on the counter, clearly unfazed by the large number of people around. I take a step back, not really wanting to go public with the benefits part of our friendship. Yeah, we’ve started kissing during parties recently, but that’s long after everyone is too drunk to even know their own names, let alone gossip about who kissed who. Plus, Taylor hasn’t been allowed back since she went running to Bree the first chance she got.
“So, where’s your new beau?” He questions, stretching over the counter to peek behind it.
I roll my eyes and turn towards Dawson. “Daws, please tell him your interests do not involve getting in my pants.”
Holden’s jaw drops while Dawson just laughs, already being used to my keen choice of words. Now that I think about it, I don’t know why Holden is surprised. He should be more used to this than Dawson is, but I guess the benefits of our friendship include censorship. I should probably stop that.
Dawson pockets his phone and comes over to us. “Hey. Holden, right?” He greets him, holding his hand out.
“Yeah, and you are?” Holden shakes his hand and I laugh as he feigns ignorance.
“Dawson, but you already knew that.”
Holden laughs and nods. “Yeah, I did. It’s so nice of you to get Kayleigh a job here. Funny, because she doesn’t even need a job.”
“Holden.” I warn, but Dawson smirks.
