Let Me Love You

Chapter 9

Lisa Pov

"I'm bored, Lisa," Nolan said on the phone. I just hummed, taking a sip of my whiskey.

"Lisa, are you okay? Should I come over?" he asked, concern in his voice.

"No, not now. I'll text or call if I need you," I replied, ending the call.

Sighing, I picked up the photo frame from my chest and looked at it. Mom and Dad. You had to leave me early, didn't you? I guess I annoyed you both too much. I chuckled bitterly, wiping the tears off my cheeks. I sat back and spoke to the photo, looking at it as if they are right in front of me with a disapproving look because of day drinking. "Dad, I have a question for you. Did you feel a tickling sensation in your stomach, or like time froze the moment you saw Mom? Or did her smile make you want to smile?" I chuckled lowly, how stupid of me, I am asking them questions as if they are right here listening to me

I hoped somehow they could hear me, even though I knew no answer would come. "Mom, it's not weird, right? Me crushing  or having feelings for someone I hardly know. But I—" my voice cracked, and the tears came again. "Mom, is it possible to see someone you have feelings for being happy with someone else, and feel an intense pain that no doctor can fix because it's an emotion? But you try to be happy because at least they are happy? Do you understand, Mom?"

I looked at her in the picture, taking a deep breath. I picked up the whiskey glass and gulped the whole thing down, wincing at the taste. I laid back down on the sofa, clutching the picture frame close to my chest, the closest thing to hugging my family.

"I miss you, Mom and Dad, so much," I whispered, closing my eyes and drifting off to sleep.

.................

"You look like shit," Nolan said from behind me as soon as I walked behind the counter.

"Tell me something I don't know," I muttered, wrapping the café apron around myself.

"So, how was being home alone yesterday?" he asked while making a black coffee.

I turned and looked at him. "It was good. I kinda feel fresh."

He tilted his head, examining my face. He clicked his tongue. "More like you kinda look like shit," he said, chuckling as he went to deliver an order.

I shook my head and put on a smile to start my work. I turned around to put my phone on silent so I wouldn't be disturbed.

"Hey there," I heard a male voice. I turned around.

"Hello, what can I get you..." My voice trailed off the moment I realized it was the man from Rachel's house.

"Can I get a pumpkin spice latte, a hot chocolate, and two chicken sandwiches, please?" he asked.

I nodded and calculated his bill.

"Hey, you ordered?" I heard her voice but didn't dare look up. I couldn't.

"Yeah, go save a table. I'll be right up," he said. She walked away without addressing or greeting me, as if I didn't exist in her life—a stranger. I mean, I kind of am a stranger, but the least she could've done was pass a smile. But who am I to judge? I could have greeted her, but I didn't, right?

"Keep the change, thank you," he said.

I smiled and nodded. "Is he the date?" I heard Nolan's voice out of nowhere. I gasped.

"Dude, where the hell did you pop out from?"

"So, is it him?" he asked, totally ignoring my question.

I nodded. "He is hot."

"Nolan," I whined like a child, knowing he was teasing me.

"It's okay. I'll make sure to find you a hotter MILF than her, okay?"