Page 27 of Freshmeet
As we passed the Welkum’s big window, I caught Sarah watching us. Her expression was more sad than anything as some guy chatted her up from the other side of the bar. For a split second, I considered going in there and acting as a human shield against the assholes who thought she owed them her time.
I lifted my hand in a subtle wave, and she returned the gesture before disappearing down the bar.
“This way. I live behind Bobson.” Meg dragged me along, oblivious to my discomfort, which was pretty on theme for the night.
I let out a breath, trying my damnedest to hide my annoyance. It would be another half hour, at least, before I was home and eating in bed. “Cut through campus?”
“Yep.”
We made it out of downtown with very little chatter. For a brief second, I thought she was finally picking up my general mood, but Meg proved not to be that observant.
“I’m so relieved you’re the new bartender. I was worried we’d get someone I didn’t click with, ya know?”
I nodded, not exactly sure how we’d clicked when she’d done all the talking and I’d been pretty monosyllabic. But maybe that’s what she looked for in a friend—a mute mannequin.
“So, what’s your major?”
A loud laugh fell from my mouth before I could stop it. The first personal question she asked me, and it was about my major.
Her face scrunched up, a confused smile still lingering. “What’s funny?”
Just thinking about another girl.
I shook my head. “Nothing.”
“Okay?” Meg didn’t look any less confused, which made sense. I was being weird.
“I’m a business major with plans to get an MBA. What about you?”
“Painting.”
I glanced down, noticing the flecks of white paint on her dark jeans. “An artist, cool.”
Under the soft glow of the streetlamps, I could see her blush. “Yeah. I’m hoping to create enough buzz that I can launch myown site and sell prints and stuff. You know, become a brand. I have a pretty decent social media following, so it’s just a matter of growing my reach.” Her words came out in an excited rush, but her gaze stayed on the sidewalk.
“I’m not going to pretend like I understand any of that, but it’s cool you have a goal you’re passionate about.”
She grinned at me, cuddling into my arm. Her cookie scent teased my stomach, and it growled, begging to be fed.
“I like talking to you.” She looked up at me from under her thick black lashes, and I knew we were about to blow right past the possibility of an easy friendship.
It was time to be blunt.
“Same. It’s nice when I meet cool people I can be friends with.”
She pulled away slowly, dropping my arm. “Friends.”
“Yeah. It might sound stupid to you, but I’ve spent the last seven years working so hard that I only have a handful of close friends. Now that I’m starting school so late, new friends are worth their weight in gold.” I watched her carefully, hoping she would accept my offer of friendship and not jeopardize our very new working relationship.
Meg kept her focus ahead of us, her dark eyebrows pulled together until she gave herself a little nod and smiled at me. “I’d be happy to be your friend, Connor.”
I beamed at her, genuinely happy she understood. “Great.”
She stopped in front of a house with all the lights on and a couch on the porch. “This is me. Thanks for walking me home. I hate walking in the dark alone.”
“No problem. Happy to do it. I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Yep, and prepare yourself. Tuesday is dollar PBRs and karaoke night.”
