Page 104 of Sparks
“Well, don’t. It was a fun night.”
“I feel like I should text Silas to apologize.”
“Good idea.Silas, I’m sorry I said you have a perfect penis.”
“Uuung.” I threw my head back and Willa laughed.
“Let it go,” she said. “I swear, it’s fine.”
We stayed quiet the rest of the walk, except when we passed an alley of garbage bins and we both covered our mouths and noses against the rot.
Inside the fast food restaurant, I gave the bored cashier my best, most grateful smile.
“Hi. I would love a large fry and medium Coke.”
“It’s still breakfast,” he said.
My whole heart sank, and I heard Willa smack her lips.
“You can’t throw some fries in that fryer?”
“I mean…nah,” said the boy. “Unless you wanna wait ten minutes for lunch.”
“Hold up,” Willa began, but I shook my head.
“It’s okay.”
“Is there a problem here?” Out walked Big Raymond in a short-sleeved button up shirt, tight on his biceps, and managerial hat. His eyes went to Willa and widened, then he grinned and the dimples popped out. Willa made a sound in the back of her throat and I hit her hip with my hand under the counter where the guys couldn’t see. I felt her hand reach out to slap excitedly at mine.
“Hi,” I said. “We met before!”
“Yeah, yeah!” he said. “What can I get for you ladies?”
“I’m really craving fries, but I can wait the ten minutes,” I said, my head pounding.
Willa’s mouth pulled to the side and Big Raymond looked at the employee. “You know we can take fry orders during breakfast, right? Just push that override button.”
“Nah,” said the employee. “I didn’t know.”
“Well, now you know. Ring it up.”
I smiled and looked at Willa, who was openly checking out Big Raymond. “What do you want, hon?” I asked her. “I owe you.”
“For what?” she said distractedly.
“For calling you a bitch last night.”
“Whatchu call her a bitch for?” Raymond asked with curiosity. I flushed because I thought I’d said that quietly.
Willa laughed. “She was drunk and mad ‘cause we were laughing at something she said.”
Raymond leaned against the counter and Willa leaned in, like they were freaking magnetized. “What’d she say?” he asked.
“You don’t even want to know.” She waved a hand, cracking up.
“Yeah, you don’t,” I agreed as they laughed together. “Want a frappe thingy?” I asked her.
“Oh, yeah. Mocha.”
