Page 162 of Fervency Love

This morning, I’m working the shift with Mandy, and Larry has a day off. I’m heading to the restroom when Ve emerges from around the corner. I freeze.

“Hi, Abby.”

His silhouette is hunched, like a beaten dog’s. When I look into his eyes, I see pain and despair. It breaks my heart.

“Hi, Ve.”

“Can we talk?”

“Now?”

“I can drop by later if you want. Or I could catch a ride with you.”

I consider his proposition for a moment. I don’t have plans with Larry today.

“Okay. I’ll pick you up.”

Back at the store, I wonder what he wants to talk about. As closing time approaches, I become increasingly tense. When the clock shows nine and the last customers leave, I get ready to leave.

“I’ve handled all the stuff, Mandy. Everything is sorted by size, and the store is fully stocked. The morning team just needs to clean up. Can I go?”

“Yes, Abigail. See you the day after tomorrow.”

“See you.” I peck her on the cheek and head out from the back to the parking lot to my car.

As I pull up to the back of the store where Ve works, I’m shaking all over. What am I so stressed out about?

After ten minutes, the whole crew comes out. Ve bids them farewell. The blonde is also there. She hangs on him and kisses his cheek. Ve also says goodbye to a petite girl and gets into my car.

“Hey.”

“Hi, Ve. What did you want to talk about?”

“I heard you’re always with that Larry, that you stay overnight.”

“You heard, or are you following me?”

“Doesn’t matter. I want to know if it’s true.”

That question kills me. I don’t know what I should tell him.

“Yes, sometimes I stay.”

“So, are you fucking him?”

“No, Ve, we’re watching movies. I don’t like being alone at home. I just need a change of scenery, a different way to spend my free time,” I respond a bit angrily to cut off the subject.

I don’t know if I’ll ever confess to him what I really did, staying overnight with Larry. Fortunately, he probably prefers to believe what I said is true.

“Are you falling for him?”

I ponder the question for a moment. After a while, I decide that I might indeed feel something. I like him more than a lot. I don’t know how to describe this feeling yet, but it’s definitely more than friendship.

“Ve…”

“Answer me, I need to know.”

My eyes linger on his face. His leg is shaking in a nervous rhythm, and he clenches his jaw tightly. He’s going through immense stress.

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