It's Complicated

Chapter Fourteen

   By the time our shift ends and we close up the store, I feel like a nervous wreck. I can't even really put my finger on why. All I know is that I've almost cancelled at least three times today. If it weren't for the fact that my two best friends would kill me, then I probably would have. Maybe I should look into getting new friends who can't kick my ass so easily. At the thought of new friends, Isabelle floats back up to the fore-front of my mind, bringing with it those pesky butterflies that flutter in my stomach for merely a second before leaving. Those, too, have made several appearances throughout the day. Maybe I'm just nervous cause this'll be the first time that we've, well I anyway, have hung out with Isabelle outside of riding.

   'Yeah,' I tell myself, 'that's totally it.'

Happy with my decision, I go back to quickly scouting the store for any stragglers, which is basically a waste of time since we've been pretty dead all day. Once I've determined that the store is, in fact, all clear, I shoot Adam a thumbs up. He flashes me a grin and practically skips to the front door to lock it, clicking the open sign off as he does. I make my way to the break room as he grabs the already done deposit and follows me. We really do need to stop closing the till before we're actually closed. Whatever.

"So, you excited for coffee?" Adam asks as he nudges his shoulder against mine. I look up only to find him wearing that shit-eating, all-knowing smirk from this morning again. I give him a filthy look and shove him gently. He barely stumbles, barely moves at all actually, making me briefly think that maybe I should start working out more. I roll my eyes as Adam laughs. And I mean, throws his head back and nearly dies as tears almost roll down his face. I stop and stare blankly.

"Oh, Honey." He says as he lifts a hand to wipe his eyes. "Oh you sweet, oblivious child." He continues. I frown as I take the few steps away to grab my purse from the small table. Adam is still chuckling as I slip the strap over my shoulder and turn to face him.

   "What?" I snap, getting mildly frustrated with his behaviour and blatant desire to not fill me in. He shoots me a glance and merely shrugs his shoulders, flipping his hand around in a way that is just so flamboyant that I can't help but crack a small smile.

   "Nothing, Sweetie. You'll figure it out eventually, I'm sure." I roll my eyes for probably the hundredth time today.

   "Give it a rest, Adam. Isabelle is a potential friend. That's it." He meets my measured gaze with a serious look, a hint of amusement still playing in his eyes.

   "Of course." I turn to leave, but not before catching him smirk from the corner of my eye.

   "Oh, stop." I manage to laugh as I gently smack his upper arm.

   "Okay, okay. I'm done." He lifts his hands in mock surrender, pulling his face into a ridiculous pout. I just laugh and shake my head. He is so over the top sometimes.

A comfortable silence falls over us as we make our way back to the front doors. For whatever reason, this building doesn't have an alarm at the back door, so we've made a habit of just leaving out the front and re-locking up. Adam pulls out his keys as I punch in the alarm code. We both slip out, Adam turning to lock the doors as I make my way to my car. I look back as I reach the driver's side door.

   "Meet you there?" I call. We would usually carpool, but I know that Adam wants to go see his boyfriend after and he lives on the other side of town from the music shop. Adam nods.

   "You know it, Girl. I got a hot date tonight!" I laugh as he waggles his eyebrows. He is seriously the biggest dork I've ever met.

   I say my customary prayer as I unlock my door and slip behind the wheel. Once again my prayers are answered and the engine sputters to life. I pull out of the parking lot, turning left in the direction of Mosley's. I don't quite remember how we managed to find the little cafe/diner but like I said, we've been meeting up there ever since. This time, however, is going to be different because there will be one more of us than usual. Nothing else will change since the booth we always sit at holds more than just three people. The playful jabs between Dani and Adam will still happen. There's just an extra set of eyes to roll at their antics now. And I don't know how to feel about it.