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I’m keeping my thumping heart and his offer all to myself.
Sawyer
I show up fifteen minutes early like I’m afraid the woman is going to try to slip away and walk the three miles separating the cafe and her home.
Julie comes out right on time, her cheeks flushed. Umbrella already popped open, she walks over to my door looking hesitant. Of course, she asks if I’m sure I want to go so far out of my way. She doesn’t understand how I’d be happy to do whatever it takes to keep that smile on her lips, even if it’s a hesitant one.
I take her home, keeping up with a light conversation until we reach her residence. It’s a nice neighborhood from the looks of it, but still not good enough to ease the thought of her walking back and forth.
I shouldn’t push, not when I overstepped earlier by demanding she let me take her home. This time, I try to make it more possible for her to say no.
“Can I take you to work tomorrow?” I ask, the hum of my truck filling the silence between us as we sit in front of her home. Rain continues to crash against the windows. It’s hard to concentrate on the surrounding sounds when I’m looking at her.
“I’m sure you’re a busy man–” she starts before looking away, “–I wouldn’t want you to go out of your way.”
“I want to,” I reassure her, shaking my head at her words. “Just give me a time, Julie. I’ll be here.”
If I have to get up a little earlier, then it’s worth the sacrifice. I’ll adjust my schedule at work. For this woman, I’m willing to revolve my life around hers. Call me a little desperate to keep seeing Julie up close, but seeing her like this multiple times a day, I’d say it’ll be worth the sacrifice.
Her umbrella crinkles in her grip as she thinks about my question. Finally, she nods. “I’d really appreciate that. I’ll get some money for gas to pay you back.”
It isn’t needed and I already plan on not accepting. If she insists, then I’ll take it solely with the intention of tucking it somewhere, ready to use whenever she needs it.
“Thank you again, Sawyer.” Giving me one of those smiles that makes my chest ache, she pushes the door and opens her umbrella. Stepping out into the rain, I get one more longing glance before she’s gone, rushing toward her home.
Remembering which door she steps inside, I don’t leave until I know she’s tucked away, hiding from the storm lingering above. Breathing in, I groan.
The smell of coffee is lingering and I secretly pray it never leaves. It gives me something to cling to on the way back to my own home.
* * *
After picking her up at the crack of dawn, the moon welcomes my exhausted mind with open arms. She doesn’t let me leave the parking lot until I’ve got a latte to bring with me to work. She even insisted on sending me away with a dozen donuts since I wouldn’t take her money.
Once she wished me a good day at work, I knew I needed this to be a pattern. Needed to see her more than our usual arrangement.
I don’t mind how much gas I’m wasting by going back and forth. It’s worth every penny when I see Julie light up when I return for a cinnamon roll for lunch.
Did she think I wouldn’t show? I wouldn’t break this habit in a heartbeat.
Nothing comes close to the way she looks when I show up at the end of her shift, fifteen minutes early like the day before.
“You can’t plan on driving me around every day,” she huffs out as she leans against my door. “Not for free.”
“The guys loved the donuts,” I try to offer in hopes she won’t insist on paying me for something I want to do.
Her nose scrunches while her lips purse. She’s got too much of a friendly face to be doing all that.
“Are you going to get in or am I going to have to follow behind you the entire way to make sure you get home safe?”
“You’d really do that?” she asks and bites her lip. What a tease.
“Even if it took an entire hour,” I confirmed with a nod.
That’s all it takes to get her inside my truck. Thanking me more than once, I drive her home. When I ask her about her day, she falls apart on my seat and complains about a nameless customer who’d given her a hard time. Even if her words irritate me knowing someone had the gull to be mean to such a ray of sunshine, I know she can handle herself well enough.
When we make it to her home, she doesn’t immediately hop out. Instead, she tells me one more story, like she’s trying to extend our time together. If that’s the case, I should’ve taken a detour. Next time, I’ll definitely take the long way here.
“I’ll see you tomorrow?” she asks after finishing up her story. Her hand lingers on the handle, lightly gripping it as she looks at me. Is that hope I see in her eyes or am I getting ahead of myself?
