Page 32 of It Never Was

But the guy doesn't look up, he is still looking at his phone with a stupid grin on his face as Ryen walks right by. My muscles relax but I keep my eyes on her as she looks through the shop's door at something that has her smile, fuck I love that smile. Her shoulders bounce which makes me think she is laughing. I wish I could hear it. My legs want to sprint over there just so I can.

She pushes her way through the door and my mind calms down knowing she is safe.

"Are we just gonna stalk this girl? Or?" Gabe cuts through my thoughts.

"No, it's my co-worker. I wanted to make sure she got back to the shop safely. That's all."

"Does she know you are concerned for her safety?" He gushes, resting his chin on his fists, his elbows on the cushioned console.

"Shut it Gabe." I snap, I don't want him thinking my mind is preoccupied with someone, but I also can't hide how I feel about her.

"I seem to have struck a 'Parker' cord."

That's when I see the guy push off his car and make his way to the shop, straight to where Ryen was. He pauses at the entrance, his eyes watching someone.

The pounding of my heart in my ears grows louder and my hands squeeze the steering wheel harder.

"You good, Parker?" Gabe's voice goes from taunting to concerned.

"That guy," I nod, motioning where the guy stands, "I don't have a good feeling about him." I say as I watch him walk into the coffee shop.

19

Ryen

I don't remember the last time that my legs felt this heavy, and don't get me started on my eyelids. Both are in a competition for who is going to have me fall straight on my face as I make my way back to the shop for my car. I am contemplating if I should bite the bullet and pay for the damn parking pass for campus, but remembering it costs $185 a quarter for the pass sobers me up and keeps me walking through the fatigue. The glow from the shop makes its way into view, and from the looks of it Willow is still closing up for the night, which leaves me plenty of time to make one last coffee for my drive home.

As I come closer to the entrance, I start to hear Woman by Doja Cat blasting through the windows loud enough for me to hear the lyrics clearly. Paul must have left for the night because there is no way in hell that he would allow music this loud and this genre. He wouldn't even allow me to blast Sleep Token when I was closing, and he was in his office with the doors closed. I chuckle at the memory of Paul's face when the last part of "Summoning" by Sleep Token started to play from the shop's speakers. He looked as if he just caught me making out with Devon on the shop counters. He snapped his eyes my way and all that left his lips was the word, "Off!"

I start to open the door, surprised but not surprised that Willow hasn't locked it yet. As I walk, the view in front of me is Willow skipping over to Chrissy, whose back is to me, as Willow lip-syncs the lyrics from the Doja Cat song. Her eyes meet mine and a humorous grin spread across her face. Chrissy is trying her best to get back as far away from Willow as she can, but in her hurry, she ends up cornering herself between the counter and the register. Willow advances on Chrissy with the biggest smile on her face as she flips around and starts to shake her ass on her, like they are in the middle of a club on a Saturday night. I feel a small smile start to form at the sight; Willow is not going to stop now that she has an audience.

"What a scene…" I taunt. "I didn't realize we were providing shows with our coffee now."

"I think it is going to be the next big thing, Rye!" Willow plays along, not budging from Chrissy's personal space. "It is really gonna bring in the big bucks." She continues to dance.

"Very funny, Willow, now can you stop? I am not here for your amusement!" Chrissy finally bites back and pushes Willow away.

"Awh, you are no fun, Chrissy." Willow bats her eyes at her, pouting her lips before smiling in amusement.

Chrissy walks off to the back of the shop to get some space from Willow and finish up.

"She can never let loose, can she?" Willow leans on the countertop as I come closer her way. Resting her head in her hands, her elbows are propped on the granite countertops. I mimic her stance and our faces are hovering in front of one another.

"I don't think it's fun if it is only one sided, now do you, Will?" I tilt my head as her name leaves my lips. "Not everyone likes to have fun the way you do."

"Whatever do you mean?" She lets out a sarcastic gasp as she brings her hands to her chest pretending to be offended. "I have fun just like everyone else."

"Yeah, sure you do!" I push off the cold counter and make my way to the other side where Willow is to make myself a coffee.

"How were your classes? A bit less distracting than your shift here this morning?" She smirks, wagging her eyebrows at me as I pour the who-knows-how-old coffee from the brewing pot and take a big sip. She scrunches her nose at me as I do. Willow can't stand plain black coffee and always makes that face at me when I drink it in front of her.

"Whatever do you mean?" I mocked her words right back at her.

"Mhm, sure Ryen. I may have blonde hair, but I am not dumb. I can see the way your eyes light up and your posture changes when Parker is in the same room." My face falls and I feel the heat of shame creep up my neck, reaching my face.

"You shouldn't feel bad, Rye. He is an attractive guy…scratch that…a ridiculously attractive man! I am not judging! In fact, I give you props 'cause if he was looking at me with those eyes, I would not be able to behave. Boyfriend or not." Willow makes a flirty face, her way of trying to make me feel better. Her attempt does make me feel a tad less guilty, but the knot in my stomach is still there.

"Plus, Devon hasn't even talked to you in how long? A whole ass week? Who does that? Why would he do that? Especially since he was the asshole! Ugh, he pisses me off," Willow rambles on, venting her feelings that mirror my own.

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