Leah Mitchell isn't the same shy, poor girl anymore. Now a college student, she is enjoying her life in the city and the freedom she longed for. She works hard and knows her worth. She has it all, but her heart aches for the only person from her pas...
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It's been a week, seven kitten lattes, and just as many chocolate muffins for Leah. I left her notes each time, but didn't ask her to hear me out.
Now that I've waited long enough, I want to change that. In today's note I'd given Jenny, Leah's coworker, I asked Leah to meet me for a cup of coffee the following day.
Her shift at the library doesn't start till the afternoon. If she agrees to see me, she'll text me a yes.
My stomach is in knots as I walk to the coffee shop on campus, where the guys and I agreed to meet for an early lunch.
As I pull the door open, I spot Drew, Sean, and Nashat a table in the back, deep in conversation.
They aren't laughing, meaning the shit is serious. Quickly, I order a burger and fries and make my way to them.
"Hey," I say, putting my tray on the table.
Sean gives me a half-smile. "Hi man. We've been talking about chicks."
I pop a fry into my mouth. "Go on; pretend I'm not here. I'm not an expert on the matter, so I'll sit and listen."
"Right," Drew says. "Nash's girl might be ghosting him."
My eyes land on Nash. He's toying with the label of his water bottle, frowning.
"I don't know if ghosting is the correct term," he says when the pause and the silence at the table become too evident.
"Oh, it is," Drew says. "No dates, no sleepovers, she's been busy for the last week. That's how you ghost."
"He already feels like shit, don't make it worse." Sean scowls at Drew. "Maybe she's really busy."
Nash smiles, but it's forced and fake as fuck. I feel sorry for him.
"Thanks, guys," he says too quietly. "I just have this ugly feeling inside, you know? I thought we were getting somewhere, but then she goes to that fucking party, and something changes. And I'm too big of a coward to ask her what's wrong because I don't know if I can handle the answer."
"Maybe you should," I say despite my initial resolve to keep my mouth shut. "Maybe it has nothing to do with you. People deal with shit in different ways."
Nash glances at me. "Thanks, Brian. The truth is, I've never liked anyone this much. It scares me because if she wants to end it, it'll hurt like a bitch."
None of us know what to respond to that. We chew our food in silence.
I can't help but think about my situation. If Leah refuses to talk to me, I'll insist until she hears me out, but what I really want is for her to agree to that coffee date.
I screwed up in the worst of ways, and I know it. I've regretted leaving her the way I did every single day.
She's not the same shy, poor girl anymore. She grew up and spread her wings like I knew she would, but she's hurt, and I'm the one to blame. I hurt her, and I'm ready to beg for her forgiveness.
