Since We're Alone |NH|

Chapter 15

Ophelia's POV

"Has he called you yet?" Tomi asked me when I walked into work on Wednesday.

"No, he hasn't," I said.

"Texted?"

"Nope."

"Have you called or texted him?"

"Nope."

"Why not?"

"Because...." I trailed off.

"Because why?"

"Because...I don't know...I guess I figured since I took the first step and gave him my number—"

"And then ran away and hid like a scared little girl."

I rolled my eyes, "Don't act like you wouldn't have done the same."

She nodded, "Facts."

"Anyway, I figured since I took the first step that I'd left the ball in his court.  Right?  If he wanted to talk to me, he now has my number."

"And you have his.  Ohhh, what if he thinks the ball is in your court? Since he then wrote down his number?"

I looked over at her.  "Goddamnit, Tomi! Don't put that anxiety inducing thought into my head!"

She laughed at me while putting her hands up in defense.  "Orrrrr he's just as scared and nervous as you?  You did tell him you had two days off, maybe he lost count and he'll show up tonight.  Maybe he needs other people around to not be so nervous?  I mean, he was very nervous on Friday.  And you said he seemed even more nervous Saturday."

"Yeah, he did.  But, it's like, once we got to talking there was a nice flow.  It's the whole reason I swallowed my own nervousness and gave him my number.  There was a nice click."

"Oh shit."

"What?" I asked, turning to face her.

"What if he accidentally threw the receipt away before putting your number in his phone?"

"Tomi Leigh! Stop coming up with these horrid scenarios!  You're making me anxious."

We both walked around the bar, looking around to see what needed to be prepped for the night.

"It's just a scenario.  My guess is that he's too nervous to be the first one to start things off.  I mean, he was super adorable the way he acted around you on Friday.  Hey!  Maybe you can text him, say who you are and see if he's interested in coming in tonight for trivia?"

I gave her a look.  "I'm not doing that."

"Why not?"

"Because that just seems weird.  Maybe he's not interested and that's why he hasn't called or texted or smoke signaled."

"Well, now you're just being dramatic, Ophelia.  He did give you his number, too.  Remember?  C'mon, do it.  Or do a group text and include him?"

"Oh, because that won't seem fucking weird.  Plus, who else would I invite?  You're already here.  And anyone else I'd invite we both know is already coming."

"So?  You can do a group invite to make sure to get a head count for the tables."

I looked at her.  "Hmm, that's not a bad idea.  I guess I could do that."

"Good, but do his separately, but make it sound like a group."

"What?"

"I don't know, make it sound like a group text but only include him."

"Then what's the purpose of actually doing a group text?"

She stopped.  "Yeah, I guess that's dumb.  Fine, make it a group text and if he asks or seems funny about it, then you can just say it was an accident to include him."

"Okay."  Tomi jumped up and down and grabbed my phone out of my back pocket for me.  "Keep your hands to yourself, Tom!" I said, laughing a little.

"Yeah, yeah.  I'm just excited for you!"

She handed me my phone.  "This could all be a waste, too, you know."

"Yeah but it could also be something amazing!  Text him.  Now.  And make sure to include the time so he knows when to show up by."

I took my phone and opened it to texts.  Adding him to a group text, I basically asked everyone who was coming in for trivia, saying that Tomi and I wanted to know so we could make sure the tables were cleared and ready for them by 8:30. 

When I was done, I put it back into my back pocket as my first customer of the night sat down.

A couple of hours later, it slowed down enough for me to breath.  Tomi came up to me.

"Did he respond?"

"Huh?"

"Niall?  Did he respond?"

"Oh shit, I totally forgot.  Been busy for a Wednesday before trivia."

I reached into my back pocket and pulled my phone out.  I saw several missed texts.  Opening up my phone, I saw responses from the usual suspects but not him. 

"No, he didn't answer."

"Well, that's shit."

"Maybe he gave me the wrong number?  You know, a fake number?"

"But then wouldn't that person ask who you are?"

"Or it's a non existent number?"

"I don't believe that.  He was totally checking you out Friday and he came back the very next night.  He's definitely interested."

"Well, I guess he's not."

"Just because he hasn't responded doesn't mean anything."

"Maybe."

"Ophelia, he'd be stupid to not be interested. You're a great catch."

"Well, maybe it's for the best he hasn't answered. And now I can go back to not being interested in boys."

She rolled her eyes at me as we both watched her next table get sat. My talkative regular had also just walked in.