Daddy Issues

48 - Need you

'Oh my God, there's that hot guy that's been asking about you again.'

'There's a hot guy that's been asking about me?'

I look up confused to follow Joey's gaze, who's watching somebody approach from the parking lot. Then I let out a gasp and drop to the floor to hide behind the counter just before the man reaches the door.

'Fucking hell, Joey, that's Dan!'

'That's Dan?' he asks, immediately intrigued. 'Now I get why you got yourself into such a mess.'

It's been about a week and a half since Halloween. And I still haven't recovered. I was so stupid. Without even realizing it, I had missed being close to him so much that my drunken mind decided to try and kiss him. My face immediately turns bright red again, just thinking back to the look of shock in his face.

'Why didn't you tell me he was here before?' I hiss at Joey.

'I was jealous, okay?' he hisses back, lowering his voice to a whisper. I just heard the door open, so Dan must be getting inside now.

'First the handsome doctor, now this, why doesn't anybody want to take me out?'

'Because you're an asshole', I whisper-yell furiously.

He glares at me, but then pulls his features into a bright smile and focuses his attention forward. To Dan.

'Goodmorning, sir,' he says in a cheerful voice. 'How can I help you today?'

'Hi.'

My heart sinks into my stomach as soon as I hear him. Pressed against the counter, I can't see him. But even just the sound of his voice makes me feel sick.

What is he doing here? He has to know I'm too embarrassed to ever want to see him again. Even though it was actually very nice to see him again. To have him hug me. Until I, once again, ruined everything.

'Would you mind asking Emma if I could speak with her for a moment?' Dan asks Joey.

'Emma? Oh, sorry, she's not in today,' Joey replies, glancing over at me shortly, but way too obviously.

'Again?' Dan asks, sounding mildly frustrated.

'Yeah...' Joey says. 'She won't be in for a while, I'm afraid. Actually, she won't be back at all. She got fired.'

'Fired?'

'Caught her stealing cookies,' he tells Dan, leaning forward to lower his voice a little. 'That girl is a glutton.'

When I reach out to flick my finger against his leg he flinches a little. When he looks over at me again, I give him the finger.

'Isn't that something,' Dan says dryly. 'I could have sworn I just saw her in here through the window.'

'I get that,' Joey says sympathetically. 'Sometimes, it's like she never left.'

'Well, if you do happen to see her, could you just tell her I'd really like to talk to her.'

'Of course, sir.'

'Because I want to tell her that I'm sorry.'

'I'm sure she'll appreciate that.'

'And that I hope she doesn't feel bad about the other night, because it was all my fault.'

'Oh my God, what happened?' Joey asks, intrigued.

I told Joey some of what has happened between me and Dan before he left. But I haven't told him about Halloween. In fact, I haven't even told Mel. I was too ashamed. So I glare in Dan's direction, because Joey definitely isn't going to leave it alone until I tell him everything.