I set my coffee cup down and composed myself. “Don’t get ideas in your head about us, OK?” I needed her to understand. My heart getting broken was one thing, but Franny’s heart getting broken was another. I wasn’t willing to take that chance.
Last night, I had been with River again, but I couldn’t forget that I’d seen the side of him that was Captain. And Captain wasn’t someone I was willing to trust all the way. Not yet.
“I’m not getting ideas. I’m just saying I saw him looking at you a lot. Bet if he saw you with your blond hair, he’d really think you were beautiful.”
Franny hadn’t liked it when I colored my hair red. She’d said I didn’t look right. She liked us looking similar.
“I don’t think that’ll be the case. But I do think it’s time I went back to my original color.”
Franny started eating, and I drank my coffee, sighing in relief that this conversation was coming to a close.
“When you see him today, will you ask him if he wants to get ice cream with us again?”
She wanted him around so badly. “Why don’t I invite him over here for dinner on my next night off? We can cook for him.”
Franny beamed at me. “Yes, that’s even better. But let’s cook him our best stuff. Not just pizza. I can make the biscuits.”
“OK. It’s a deal,” I agreed.
? ? ?
By the time I got to work that afternoon, I was even more unsure. Part of me had expected a call or possibly a text from him. But there had been nothing. Twice, I’d almost texted him to ask him over for dinner, but I’d stopped myself. I wasn’t sure what he was thinking, and if he regretted last night, then I wasn’t sure I could face him. Especially after what I’d done.
My face flushed with embarrassment yet again, and I ducked my head as I walked through the back entrance.
“You’re late.” Elle’s sharp tone startled me, and I looked up to see her walking out of Captain’s office and closing the door behind her.
The sharp pain that shot through me caused me to wince. I didn’t want her to think she upset me, but knowing she had been in Captain’s office was difficult to take. Especially since I’d heard them in there once having sex.
“I’m five minutes early,” I replied. I was never late. She knew that, and she hated it.
“Not by my clock. I’ll be writing you up if this happens again.”
I wanted to roll my eyes, but I didn’t. Taking the high road, I walked past her and toward the lockers in the employee lounge to put my purse away and get my apron. When I walked past Captain’s door, I resisted the urge to kick it. I didn’t know what she was doing in there, but I hated that I was completely jealous.
Last night had been a mistake. He hadn’t texted or called all day, and then I saw his ex leave his office the moment I arrived. If I didn’t acknowledge the clues that were being thrown at me, I was being naive. He was Franny’s dad. That was it. I wouldn’t play this game.
Brad was in the employee lounge, and he turned and smiled at me. “Hey.”
“Hey,” I replied, surprised that he’d actually spoken to me.
“Last night was crazy busy. Be glad you were off.”
Small talk. Something else I hadn’t expected. “Yeah? I hope tonight isn’t too bad.”
“Hope this new guy can handle things when Captain’s gone.”
Something else I hadn’t thought through. Would I keep working here when Captain was gone? Why keep this job and deal with Elle, when I could work somewhere where I didn’t have to deal with a mean bitch who hated me?
“I’m sure Captain will have him ready when he leaves,” I said to fill the silence. Because right now, I didn’t want to think about Captain.
“You’re right. I will.” Captain’s voice came from the doorway. I tensed but didn’t turn around to look at him.
“Oh, yeah. I know you will. I just meant that he’s not like you. I don’t doubt your skills.” Brad sounded a little nervous.
“Rose, I need to see you in my office.” His voice had softened from the one he’d used with Brad.
“I’m late. If I don’t get out to the dining room, your girlfriend will write me up. She told me so when she came out of your office earlier.” The bitterness in my tone was obvious. I hadn’t meant to say all that, but it just came spilling out. Now I looked like a jealous bitch. Crap.
“Now, Rose.” His voice lowered, and I could hear a small warning in his tone.
As much as I wanted to scream at him to go away—because I really did want to throw a total female fit—I nodded and closed my locker with more force than necessary, before turning to follow him to his office.
Except he didn’t turn around, and he wasn’t walking away. He was watching me, with a frown wrinkling his forehead. He was confused, as he should be. I was completely overreacting. So we had made out last night. It wasn’t like we made any promises.
This wasn’t high school, but I was acting like a crazy teenage girl.