Page 64 of Don't Leave
After we say our goodbyes, he disappears, getting swallowed up by the thick crowd. The Union is a hub of activity for the students of Western University. There are six different restaurants, a bookstore, bank, along with a couple of different places to hang out with pool tables, foosball, and air hockey. There’s always music playing in the background and sometimes, on the weekends, there are live bands.
I turn in a tight circle, scanning the sea of students gathered for lunch before spotting him on a couch. Air rushes from my lungs as our gazes collide. For a painful heartbeat, my feet feel frozen in place.
The closed off expression on his face makes me realize that he saw us walk in together. An icy cold fist wraps around my beating heart before squeezing painfully. We haven’t spoken one word to each other and already it feels like this lunch is off to a rocky start. I give him a hesitant wave before forcing my feet to close the distance between us.
A heavy weight descends, and I hate it. I hate that this is what our relationship has become. From the beginning, our friendship was always so easy. Even when I was fighting my attraction to him, the comradery was effortless.
This, unfortunately, feels anything but.
“Hi.” I keep my voice neutral, hoping we can move past the uncomfortableness that hangs over us.
Part of me is so afraid he’ll get up and walk away.
Instead, a slight smile spreads across his face. Even though his dimples remain elusive, I’ll still take it. Just like this morning, it feels good to be this close to him.
He rises to his feet before extending his hand out for me to take.
My heart leaps as I place my fingers in his. Energy crackles in the air between us as we make physical contact. Something flickers in his eyes.
Instead of commenting on it, he clears his throat. “What kind of food are you in the mood for?”
Honestly, I don’t give a crap what we eat. All that matters in this moment is that we’re together.
I shrug. “You decide.”
As his gaze roams over the restaurants, I’m able to drink him in while he’s unaware of my perusal. “Burgers?”
“Sure, that’s fine.”
As we stand in line, the fledgling conversation between us stalls.
As I rack my brain for something to say, a flirty female voice says, “Cole! Over here!”
Another voice chimes in. “We haven’t seen you in forever! Where’ve you been hiding?”
I blink as two giggling girls bounce their way over to us.
Neither give me a second glance.
I should amend that statement because I don’t think I ever got a first glance. I silently watch as he flashes both an easy smile as if genuinely happy to see them.
“What are you two up to?” he asks, attention focused on the girls.
In return, they give him mega-watt smiles before one supplies an answer, “We just stopped by to grab a quick lunch. We’ve got a class at two.”
Not to be outdone by her friend, the other cuts in, “Hey, we heard you guys are having a huge bash this weekend. You need to give us all the details!”
“We’re having a party on Saturday night. You should both stop by, I’m sure it’ll be a good time.”
“Definitely!” one says enthusiastically, practically bouncing on the tips of her toes.
As if realizing there’s another person standing with them, one finally slants a look at me. “Is this your girlfriend?”
Cole keeps his attention focused on the girls as he clears his throat. “This is my friend, Cassidy.”
His answer is like a slap in my face. All I want to do is melt into the floor.
Was I really so delusional as to think we might be getting back together?
