Behind Close Doors

Chapter Twenty-Three

"ADMIT IT. YOU MISSED ME," Lester teasingly sang in my ear as he hugged me close from behind, holding me in his arms.

I laughed loudly and unwrapped his arms from around my body. "No, I didn't. Now, stay away from me before you get me sick," I warned him as I backpedaled out of the kitchen.

Lester followed my footsteps tauntingly with a devious smirk on his face, letting me know he was up to no good. "C'mon, it's not like I have cooties or anything," He said while inspecting his fingers. "Or do I?"

I raised my eyebrows at him as if I was actually contemplating his statement before my face broke out into a grin. It was true. I had missed Lester. Working my shifts just wasn't the same without him here, and I had no idea what I was going to do to entertain myself when he went to the Marines and Sia moved to Georgia.

"You may or may not have cooties, but you still have germs that could get me sick," I claimed as I leaned back against the counter where all the seasonings and trays were located.

Lester raised both of his hands up before saying in a more serious tone, "Listen, I promise I'm not sick anymore, Florence. I wouldn't have risked coming back to work if I were," He told me with a sad look in his eyes.

My smile instantly fell. I can't believe he thought I was being serious. I believed him the first time he told me he was well, and I made sure he knew that. Lester jokingly scoffed after I made my confession before biting his lip. He was staring at me with an expression that I wasn't used to seeing on his face. His blue eyes gazed into my brown ones adoringly, and I felt my heartbeat quicken just the slightest.

The trance we found ourselves in ended with the sound of the door jingling and a group of chatty middle schoolers entering the pizzeria. They pressed their hands against the glass case that contained the food on display as they decided what they wanted to order from our menu.

I offered Lester a smile before telling him, "You should get back to work."

He nodded his head and replied, "Ay, ay captain."

"Hey, you never know. Someday, I might be the next Captain Phillips," I jokingly remarked, making Lester laugh before going into waiter mode.

The rest of my shift went by smoothly. I only had to make two deliveries, and I spent the rest of the time helping Lester bring food to our customers and cleaning down the booths with Lysol. When nine thirty rolled around, I walked behind the counter to retrieve my bag so I could leave. Before I could make it to the door, I stopped and turned around upon hearing my name being called.

"Hey, I wanted to ask you something before you left," Lester informed me once he got from behind the counter.

I stared at him skeptically before saying, "If you're going to ask me to close tonight, I can't. I have a Physics test that I need to cram for tomorrow and–"

He shook his head, cutting me off with a chuckle. "No, I wasn't going to ask you that. I promise."

I breathed in relief and nodded my head for him to continue.

"I was wondering if you wanted to be my running buddy," Lester rushed out before screwing his eyes shut and taking a deep breath. "I need someone to train with, and I wanted to do it with someone I trust."

I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks as I processed his request. Of all people why me? I don't have an athletic bone in my body. I thought to myself.

"Lester, I'm honored," I began before taking a deep breath and continuing, "but I don't think I'm fit for the task. Trust me, I'd only hold you back."