AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Like Real People Do – Hozier
April and I were becoming friends. I thought.
The only other person I’d ever called a friend was a recently deceased seventy-five-year-old. I clearly wasn’t an expert, but as I reread the text message on my phone screen, it definitely felt that way.
Unknown number: Can you send me the highball recipe you recommended?
I paused my raking, setting the instrument against the wall to glance at her. Sitting at one of my rickety dining room chairs, her laptop balanced across her thighs, she sipped her coffee and went back to typing. The cup she’d poured for me was rapidly cooling on the lip of the steeper. I still couldn’t bring myself to admit I hated the taste.
April had worked in here the previous day too, only yesterday, she’d stood awkwardly by the window sill, balancing her computer on the painted brick with one hand while she typed with the other. Continuing work on the website—or so she’d told me—I was still too anxious to ask for more details. It didn’t slip my notice that she’d chosen to work here,with me, despite the less-than-ideal surroundings. Preempting she’d do the same today, I’d arrived early, dragging one of the chairs in after me. If she insisted on working here, there was no sense in her being uncomfortable, I reasoned with myself.Just part of being a good boss.
My early arrival allowed plenty of time for overthinking. By the time she appeared, I’d grown edgy and tired from turning possible opening lines over in my head. Good morning. Did you sleep well? I thought you might need somewhere more comfortable to work. Did you dream of me like I dreamed of you?
Well… not that last one, but any of the first three would have been acceptable. Not exactly award-winning conversation skills, but they would have sufficed. Only, when the time came, I didn’t say any of those things. When she thanked me for the chair, I ducked my head and ignored her, ears burning too fiercely not to give me away. From my periphery, I noticed her shiver, hands chafing against her bare arms. Even during summer, it was cold here in the morning. I made a mental note to dig out a blanket tonight.Idiot.
I shook the thought loose, focusing on my phone screen instead.
Mal: Why are you texting when we’re in the same room?
Unknown number: Because you respond better to me in text.
Did I? I resisted the urge to turn and determine if she was serious or teasing.
Unknown number: Highball?
Mal: Kier kept it classic. Whisky, ginger beer, lemon.
Unknown number: Sounds easy enough.
Mal: Thought you didn’t like whisky?
Unknown number: I said that when?
Mal: Your dry heaving was enough of a statement.
Unknown number: Funny.
Unknown number: I know you tried to kill me on purpose.
Mal:Itried to killyou?You have a short memory, princess.
“It was one time! Let it go already,” she shouted aloud and I couldn’t contain my grin.
Unknown number: The recipe isn’t for me. I was thinking I could post some cocktail recipes on social media, something for people to try at home.
I started to write that I knew a few more recipes she could use when my phone pinged again.
Unknown number: It’s also something we could offer in person, like a cocktail-making class.
Unknown number: I’d keep it small like we discussed…
Unknown number: And only if the tasting goes well… otherwise we can forget it.
I could tell by the way the messages pinged too quickly for me to read that she was nervous about bringing this to me. I felt like a prick. I felt like an even bigger prick when I knew I couldn’t agree. It was a good idea. A great fucking idea, but…
Mal: Don’t you think we should focus on one thing at a time?
Unknown number: You’re right! I’m sorry, I’m excited and getting ahead of myself.
