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Then Brielle popped her head over the back of Bella’s seat and smiled. “Perfect. She’d love to. She’d also like to know if you would like to join Sawyer and I for dinner this weekend?”
I glanced at Bella, who closed her eyes and clenched her jaw. I cleared my throat. “Um, I…”
Bella looked at me, then she shook her head. “Brielle, please.” Then she turned to me.
“You don’t have to,” she said, shaking her head.
“Dinner sounds good. What time?” I asked, ignoring what Bella had said.
“Say eight next Friday?”
“Eight on Friday. I’d be happy to join you,” I said.
For whatever reason, Bella didn’t look happy. Whatever was bothering her, I knew she was doing her best to hide it.
“Eight on Friday,” she said, more to herself than to anyone else. “I really should get to work.” She slid out of the booth and stood up.
“I’ll message you later?” I questioned.
“Sure… whatever you’d like,” she replied, then took both mugs and my plate and made her way over to the counter where she placed them down and grabbed a cloth.
I slid out of the booth and made my way to the door, turning to look at her one more time before I left. She was wiping down tables, a sad look still on her face. I hoped it was only because of her mom and that she was happy to be back. I guessed I’d find out soon enough.
Bella
I layin bed Thursday night reading my latest library pick as the TV droned on in the background. Tomorrow night was weighing on my mind as I barely focused on the words. I dropped the book down on the bed beside me and stared up at the ceiling. I’d read the same paragraph three times and still hadn’t been able to follow the story. Why had I agreed to dinner this weekend? I should have said no immediately. I didn’t want Brielle to put pressure on us. What had I been thinking?
I reached for the glass of water I had beside the bed and took a sip. It was almost one in the morning. Doctor Love had told me he wanted me to get extra rest, which meant going to bed early. I’d been exhausted lately, more than normal, and when I’d shared my concerns with him, he’d popped me on a prenatal vitamin and told me to be in bed by eleven, and earlier on the nights where I had to work earlier the next morning. So far, it wasn’t working.
I reached up and turned the light off, hoping that by some miracle laying in the darkness may help me relax enough to fall asleep. Asher had texted me earlier, but I hadn’t replied. That too was weighing on my mind.
I reached for my phone. Perhaps if I messaged him now, that would clear enough of my mind to allow for some sleep. He’d be asleep now anyway, I thought to myself, so there wouldn’t be a chance he’d message me back until morning.
I skimmed his message again.
ASHER: I was wondering if you wanted to get out for a coffee?
I tapped the edge of my phone and then typed.
BELLA: Sorry I just saw this now. I went to the library, and then to the craft store, my phone was in my purse with the ringer off. Raincheck? Say tomorrow night?
After hitting send, I put the phone down on the table and flipped through the TV channels. I’d just found a movie to watch when my phone vibrated against the table, causing me to jump.
As I picked it up, I frowned as I saw a message from Asher. What the hell was he doing up? I opened the phone.
ASHER: No worries. What are you still doing up this late?
BELLA: I should ask you the same?Those three little dots bounced around furiously, matching my heartbeat.
ASHER: Just finished up at the hospital. It was a good thing I was here because I needed help distracting my thoughts from thinking of a certain someone.
I smiled as those three dots bounced around again.
ASHER: Now why are you still awake?
BELLA: Can’t sleep.
ASHER: I see…does the doctor need to prescribe something? ;)
