keep what happened last week between the two of us?”
“Oh.” I pull back. This time Nixon lets my hand slip away. I shouldn’t feel the loss of his touch, but I do. Not knowing what to do with my hand, I push a strand of hair that slipped my ponytail behind my ear. “Yeah, sure.”
It’s not like I’d go around talking about his private business with anybody anyway. I didn’t even say anything to Callie when she stopped by on Sunday evening and asked about it. I didn’t lie, but I didn’t tell the whole truth either. Thankfully she didn’t stay long, just exchanged some things and was off on her way back to Hayden’s house. At this point, I’m not sure why they even bother pretending, since they’re practically living together.
“Thanks,” he sighs in relief. “The guys don’t know, and I don’t…”
“You don’t have to explain yourself to me, Nixon. I won’t say anything to anybody.”
There is that haunted look in his eyes again. His voice drops low, and he looks away as if trying to hide from me, ashamed. “People look at you differently when they know the truth.”
“I know.” His head snaps up, and I can see surprise in his eyes. He opens his mouth, as if to say something. “It’s a long story.”
One I don’t care to talk about. He can sense it because he just nods, accepting my answer for what it is, and changes the subject.
“How is your Shakespeare essay coming along?”
We talk a little about our class, him sipping coffee, me cleaning up behind the counter. Only one new customer comes in the meantime, and I quickly whip up their order. Just as I’m giving the girl her change, Nixon’s phone buzzes on the counter.
He picks it up and checks the message. I try to pretend I’m immersed in putting the money in the register and not paying attention to him, but I fail miserably. From the corner of my eye I see him shake his head as he types something back before locking it and returning it to where it was.
“Any plans for tonight?” His question startles me.
Giving up on pretending, I close the register. “Nope. It’ll be me and books…”
The vibration of my own phone in my pocket stops me from finishing. I pull it out and see a text from Callie.
Callie: Dinner @ cafeteria. I won’t accept no for an answer.
Callie: And I know your shift is done soon, so don’t try to lie to me.
I must have sighed louder than I thought because Nixon lifts his brows. “Trouble?”
“If trouble started with C…” He lifts his brows and waits for me to expand. “It’s Callie, she wants me to join them for dinner.”
“You too? Hayden just messaged me to come. You going?”
“Apparently I don’t have much of a choice.”
I turn my phone to him so he can read the message. Nixon laughs, the hard lines of his face relaxing. He’s been so serious lately that I almost forgot about this other side of him. Relaxed and carefree.
“Do you think she’s sitting out there spying on me?” I squint at the dark windows, but between the distance and the darkness it’s hard for me to see anything except the reflection of the café.
“I wouldn’t put anything past Callie. When she sets her mind on something…” He lets his voice trail off. “So, are you going?”
I sigh and look down at the clock. It’s almost eight in the evening. “I could use something to eat.”
“When are you getting off?”
“In a few…”
“Just about now,” Monica’s voice says from behind me. She places her hands on my shoulders, giving me a squeeze. “I’ll pick it up from here.”
“You sure?”
She rolls her eyes at me. “I’m sure I’ll be fine. Go.”
I throw my finger over my shoulder. “I’ll just go and grab my things. Shouldn’t be long.”
“Take your time.”
I see the keys on the counter. Grabbing them, I say, “And thanks for taking care of this for me.”
“Anytime.”
Another smile.
Another flutter of my heart.
Stop it.
Nodding, I turn around and go back in the kitchen, which is blessedly empty at this hour. Taking a moment to collect myself, I lean against the door and close my eyes.
What the hell is happening to me?
“Look who the cat finally dragged in!” Callie says as she pats the empty chair next to her, but her eyes are glued to the person over my shoulder. “And you brought company.”
There is a silent question in her statement I don’t miss, but choose