Chapter Twelve
I shield the top of my eyes to reduce the glare from the glass and press my face against the window, lucky I have a small nose or it could be painful. But I still can’t make out whether Ryan is there or not.
I can see the pretty blond girl, that all the guys have a thing for, swinging her hips as she walks to the tables and picks up the dirty mugs. And standing behind the counter serving is a geeky looking boy who I swear is barely twelve years old. Other than that, nada. And not many customers either.
Knowing my luck he isn’t working tonight. Then again, it was a long-shot, especially as he worked yesterday. They probably share out the shifts. Looks like I’ll have to come back tomorrow, though I could go in and ask when he’s next working. If I dare. And if I can be sure none of them will say anything to anyone from school. That’s all I need, for some gossip-tart to tell Lori or whoever that I’ve been asking about Ryan.
I turn around and lean against the window with my arms folded, debating what to do. In my peripheral vision I see someone waving but that’s all I can make out. As they get closer I realize that the wave is, in fact, meant for me. Oh, yay. Now what am I to do? It’s too late to do a runner.
“Suzy, hi.”
I stand away from the window, whilst inwardly debating the probability ratio of Guy turning up and finding me—help I’m a math geek and someone forgot to tell me.
“Guy. What are you doing here?”
Of all the people in all the world I had to bump into him. It’s like he’s electronically tagged me or something. I mean it’s very strange that he turns up at just the right moment. If I didn’t know better I’d say he’s stalking me. Yeah, right. Just like he’s prepared to go on stage to declare his feelings for me. I really need to get a grip. That or stop drinking so much diet cola because something seems to be fuddling my mind.
“I could ask you the same question. You told me you were working on your project tonight.” He doesn’t miss a trick.
“Well I was, then Mom asked me to meet her, but she hasn’t turned up. I bet the car’s broken down again. We’re always having trouble.” I roll my eyes upward in pretend frustration at our car. Which really is in perfect working order, even if it is several years older than the new car Guy’s parents bought for him.
“Shall we go into Starbucks and wait, before this drizzle turns into a shower?”
Drizzle? I didn’t even notice it start raining. It might be nice to go inside now I know Ryan isn’t there, and actually enjoy my drink rather than rush it like last night.
“Sure. I’ll text Mom and tell her not to come. I’ll catch the bus. It’s too late for shopping now anyway.” Just listen to the lies drip out of my mouth.
“I’ll give you a ride.” A smile plays around the corners of his mouth and I feel all gooey inside. He’s such a sweetie. And of course I wasn’t angling for a ride home when I said I’d catch the bus. As if I’d be that manipulative.
“Thanks. And my treat in Starbucks.”
We walk in and Guy goes to find a table while I head for the counter and stand in line behind a woman with her two children, and in front of them a couple of girls about my age. I turn to watch Guy from behind as he strides across the floor. Not that I’d say this to anyone, other than Maddie and probably Janey because she’s not in the club so won’t find it inappropriate, but he has an awesome body. I knew there had to be a purpose to the football team training sessions he attends twice a week.
“Suzy. Back again?”
No. No. No. This isn’t happening to me. I swallow hard. Tell me that voice and smiling face don’t belong to Ryan. That it’s just a hallucination. It’s got to be.
“Suzy?” he repeats.
“One grande caramel frappuccino, no cream, lots of caramel and a mug of coffee with milk please.” I desperately try to resist the urge to bring my hands up to my cheeks and hide the extent to which they are burning up, because that will only draw attention to them.
“Coming up,” he says smiling at me and appearing totally oblivious to my dilemma. He takes the money from my hand. “I’ll bring them over to you, if you like,” he says after giving me my change. “You’re over there with that guy, aren’t you?”
“You know Guy?” I ask, my voice sounding more like a strangulated cat than remotely belonging to me.
“No. Why?”
“You said his name. You said I’m here with guy and—”
“That guy, I said.” He laughs. “I don’t know him. So don’t worry.”
What did he mean by that? Does he know I’m worried about what he might say? Or is it a veiled threat? Don’t worry now but just watch out because sometime when you’re least expecting it I’m going to drop you in it from a great height.
“We need to talk,” I whisper. “Can you meet me?”
“Sure,” he replies in his normal voice. Hasn’t he heard of discretion? “Give me five minutes.”
“Not here,” I say through clenched teeth. “What about after school tomorrow at Victoria Park.”
He puts down the mug in his hand and stares at me, a puzzled look crossing his face.
“Is your boyfriend coming?” He nods in the direction of Guy.
“Don’t be silly,” I hiss. “Of course he isn’t. Will you meet me or not?” I glare at him. Stop it Suzy. You’re not exactly in a position of power here. “Sorry I didn’t mean to snap. Is it okay?”
“Yeah.” He shrugs. This boy certainly has perfected the art of acting cool. “Four o’clock by the children’s play area. Okay?”
“Thanks.” Phew. I could kiss him. Maybe that’s not such a good thought to be having.
“I’ll wait for the drinks, no need for you to bring them over.” I move to the side, so he can serve the person who’s just turned up behind me, and watch. He’s hardly changed a bit; maybe grown some and broader than before. And he still has that dimple in his chin. I used to think it so cute and—
Crap.
He’s only wearing the diamond stud earring I gave him. I can’t believe he’s kept it this long. This is getting worse by the minute.
“Caramel frap and coffee.” A female voice cuts right across my thoughts.
“Thanks,” I mutter, snatching them from the counter and escaping back to Guy.
“I’d almost given you up for lost,” Guy says when I give him his coffee. “That new guy must be really bad at his job. Or were you catching up on old times?” He gives a laugh.
He should only know the truth, then laughing would be the last thing he’d be doing.
“A bit of both actually.” I arch an eyebrow. Oops, here I go again imitating my mother. “He’s still learning so he’s not very fast and he asked me if I remembered someone from camp. But I didn’t.”
“He seems okay. Ask him over for a chat.”
“No. No. Absolutely—” oh crap. I take a long deep breath. “I mean, we can’t do that he might get in trouble. For mixing with the customers. I’m sure that’s not allowed.”
Guy frowns. “Why ever not?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because it stops them looking after the other customers. I don’t know. I’ve never worked in a place like this.” I twist the bottom of my t-shirt around my finger until it’s creased to bits. Hardly a good look.
“I’ve never had a job,” Guy says dismissively. “Have you?”
“Of course. Everyone in my old school had a job. I worked in a supermarket. Really boring it was, packing shelves. How come you haven’t worked before?”
Guy turns his nose up and suddenly I feel like a lower class person.
“I don’t have to. My parents give me money. They’d rather I concentrate on my studies. They say there’s plenty of time when I’m older for me to work. And I’m more than happy to go along with them.”
“Oh. Well lucky you. Lots of guys I know have to work or they’d have no money.”
Guy shifts uncomfortably in his chair and sort of coughs.
“Sorry Suzy, I didn’t mean to sound like a snob. I understand that some people less fortunate than us have to work.” God he sounds like a pompous ass. And with an attitude like that you’d think he was fifty not eighteen. I blame his parents.
“Yes, well they do. So think yourself lucky your parents give you everything you need.” I sit back in the chair and fold my arms.
Then, yet again, I drink my frap straight down and don’t enjoy it.
“I take it that means you want to go,” Guy says nodding at my finished drink.
“Yes please. I’ve got to finish my project tonight and it’s already late.”
As we’re on our way out Ryan walks past and winks. I can’t help but grin in response. Lucky Guy is walking in front of me so doesn’t see.