Relapse (Phan)

SEVEN

Over the next few days, I developed a new routine. I actually went to class, which was a pleasant surprise for my lecturers (the ones that cared anyway) and showed up at least almost on time to work every day, which put Paloma in a good spirits. She passed our shifts by happily asking about Jason and spewing more cheesy date suggestions.

"Today's the day!" Paloma exclaimed excitedly as I entered the shop on Thursday afternoon.

"Calm down," I laughed, "It's just coffee, I'm not having a baby!"

"Sorry it's exciting," she giggled. My phone buzzed in my pocket. "Is that him?" she asked, wide-eyed.

"Yeah," I blushed.

"What does it say?" she asked, bounding across the room to read the text over my shoulder.

"It's none of your business," I teased, holding my phone in the air, just out of her reach.

"Fine, read it to me then," she said, rolling her eyes.

"He just wants to make sure we're meeting here at seven," I read, shielding the message from her.

"Is that it?" she pried.

"He said he's really excited," I said, my face turning red.

"Awe, that's so sweet!"

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked, ruffling my brow at her.

"Like what?" she asked.

"Like I'm an abandoned puppy on the street or something."

"I'm just so happy for you," she said, unable to contain her smile, "It's just so nice seeing you happy."

"Well thanks," I said, my face flushing a little. I returned my attention to my phone.

Yep! I typed. You can come by a little early if u want im sure my boss wont mind. Im excited too!!! :DDD

"See moving on isn't so bad, is it?" Paloma grinned at me from across the room.

I felt my stomach drop a little. One thing I purposely hadn't mentioned to Paloma was Dan. Nothing was going on between us, not in that way, but our late-night phone calls had become ritual over the past few nights.

"Er, yeah," I smiled, avoiding eye contact, "It is good."

Thursdays were typically slow, but that day seemed to drag on forever. After what felt like days, the minute hand on the clock above the counter struck 6:57 and the little bell above the door tingled as Jason entered.

"Hey-oh wow," I spun around to greet him and had to do a double-take. He looked gorgeous. Had he always been that gorgeous? I couldn't remember. His cheeks went rosy and he bit his lip out of embarrassment.

"Hey," he said, a little awkwardly, his hair falling into his eyes a little, which only made him look even cuter. "Are you ready?"

"Um, yeah, just, let me tell Paloma I'm leaving," I smiled, dashing into the back room.

"Is he here? Was that him that came in?" she whispered excitedly.

"Yeah," I grinned, "I'm kinda nervous."

"Don't be, you'll be fine," she smiled encouragingly, "Here, let me fix your hair!" She ran her fingers through my fringe in attempt to tame the thick, black mess.