Page 26 of Semi Sweet
It was then that I noticed the white rectangular bandage on the side of his neck. I tried to tell myself that it was a totally acceptable reason. I thought about the marks on my neck and collarbone. Did my mysterious person have marks to match? I looked at Sean, the coincidences a bit hard to deny. Was he too obvious to be my mystery person? I felt like we didn't talk much, but surely we spoke enough that I could get some sort of indication. I had to stop thinking and over-analyzing. It was making my head feel worse.
"Yeah,” Max continued to push the envelope. "Your dog scratched you and I'm the Pope on Monday afternoons." He chuckled and turned his back to Sean.
I should have walked away, but it was like a train wreck or social media war. I couldn't tear myself away.
There was a loud thwack as Sean's slip resistant work sneaker hit the bakery clerk in the back of his white work coat.
"Look what you've made me do." Sean hobbled over to claim his shoe, his voice so even that it was unnerving. "Now I have to wash my hands."
He closed the space between him and his employee and even though Max was taller than even Evan, Sean still seemed to tower over him.
"Change your coat,” he ordered. “Package that tray and the rest that should be coming out now." As if on cue, the timer for the oven began to chime in the distance. "I'm going to be in the back. So help me God, if you come in or say anything about what you think happened to me or anyone last night, I'll write you up for..." he faltered, " I don't even know, but I'll find a reason."
Sean turned, but not before giving me a long look. There was no way someone who had kissed and touched me like that would look at me that way. Still, I pitied him. Whether it was a bad hangover, bruised pride, or a painful cut, he seemed to be hurting. I headed to the painkiller section and bought some Excedrin before I headed back to the bakery.
"Back again?" Max asked. He was now in the dirtiest, most icing-stained work coat they had in case of emergencies.
"I'm here with a peace offering." I held out the medicine. "Though maybe someone else should give it to him."
Max smirked and waved me over to the display case. "Homeboy puts up a good front, but he is probably listening to everything we are saying and feeling sorry for himself." He checked over his shoulder to make sure another shoe wasn't being flung in his direction. "Beth and I are convinced he is so serious because of his ‘youngest manager in the company’ title. Apparently people at his old job doubted him because he got the position when he was twenty-two."
That made sense. Evan carried himself a certain way because he was young and new to corporate. I didn't think it was necessary for Sean to be so stoic, though. To the best of my knowledge, he'd earned his position and didn't have it gifted to him like someone else I knew.
Max took the bottle of Excedrin and rolled it carefully towards the back where Sean's office was.
"Thanks," a sheepish voice called. "Even though it changes nothing."
"That was all Olivia, not me," Max called back.
"Statement retracted."
The bakery clerk looked like he suddenly remembered something. "I almost forgot. This was waiting for you this morning." He placed the box on the counter. "Beth and I were wondering if you were right about your cupcake dude being at the party."
When I blushed and reached for the scarf around my neck, Max sucked nearly all of the air from the room with his gasp.
"Beth gets here in half an hour,” he said. “Come back and spill the tea."
From the back office was the sound of someone loudly and deliberately clearing their throat. Max rolled his eyes and began to box everything he'd pulled from the ovens. I made my way back to my booth with an upset stomach that wasn't from the hangover.
This was where things could get messy. I supposed things were already messy since I'd made out with the man, but this was where he told me he regretted it and that the game was over. There was also a small chance that it could go the other way, that whoever this was would tell me he was in love with me. Then what? Was it enough of a promise for me to walk away from the only job I ever had because leaving Evan was self sabotage? What did I even feel for this person? Was I overthinking again?
I popped the lid to see not a cupcake, but a large piece of chocolate cake with gooey fudge frosting. Next to the dessert, smears of chocolate staining it, was a white envelope. I looked around to see if anyone was watching me or if Evan had unexpectedly returned before I opened it. The paper inside was covered in the same sloppy sprawl I'd been deciphering since the beginning. It made my hungover head hurt as I squinted to read.
Please bear with me,
I'm running on no sleep,
I'm hungover, I'm frantic,
And I hope I'm not a creep.
Something came over me
Seeing you so carefree.
You looked amazing, too.
I hope you see what I see.
