Midnight Run

Chapter Seventeen

The next week was just about as awful as Nora had imagined; working with Laurel day after day really grated on her nerves, but she kept her mouth shut every time Laurel said something snarky, and by some miracle, they both survived the week without killing each other. Kingston hadn't come back to Books and Brew, and Nora kept her distance from him during the nightly runs, although seeing him and not being able to talk to him made her heart ache. Still, it was better that way; she was already more hung up on him than she cared to admit, and Nora knew it was a waste of time and emotion to allow her feelings to deepen. Kingston was still friendly toward her, always greeting her with a wave and a smile, but he didn't pace with her again, and Nora skipped going to the diner after the runs, just in case he opted to hang out.

If things at the midnight run were tense, they were even worse at work. Todd showed up at the coffee shop at odd hours when he wasn't working, and he hovered in the back with the office door open. Nora had the distinct impression that he was keeping an eye on her, and that proved to be true when he pulled her aside the next Thursday with a smile.

"Ready to change shifts again?"

She hesitated. She was desperate to get away from Laurel, but Todd's warning about getting along with everyone rang in her ears. Finally, Nora nodded. "I think I do like mornings a little better," she offered.

"That was my thought. We're bringing on a couple of new kids, and I'll be training them on the mid and closing shifts. You're on your own in the mornings, kiddo."

Nora grinned. "Thanks. I won't let you down."

"I know you won't. Anyone in particular that you'd like to work with?" He offered the drafted schedule to her.

She skimmed it, considering. "Frank and I worked together last week," she said, thinking out loud, "but I don't think I've ever worked with Sam or Josi." She handed the schedule back to him. "Anyone is fine, really."

"I'll put you with Josi on Monday and Wednesday, then." Todd scribbled with his pencil, and then he looked up at Nora. "Do you mind working with Laurel again on Thursday?"

Nora forced a bright smile. "Why would I mind?"

***

Carl wasn't around when she got home, and Nora found a sticky note in the kitchen that made her pause. "Going down to Philly. Tell me I'm not an idiot." She was pretty sure that meant he was going to see Reggie, and her heart tightened for him. After their heart to heart the other week, Carl hadn't said much about Reggie's visit, but Nora could tell he'd been preoccupied; his eyes glazed over sometimes when they were watching T.V. together, and he'd been a lot quieter than his usual, chipper self. Nora shook her head and pulled a carton of leftover Chinese out of the refrigerator. I hope he doesn't do anything he'll regret, she thought as she settled herself in the living room and inhaled her snack.

Still, she kind of admired Carl. It took a lot of guts to put himself out there for love, and she knew that, whatever her reservations about Reggie, Carl was still pretty hung up on him. What if I were brave enough to take that kind of risk? Would Kingston reject her if she tried to tell him how she felt? You never know if you don't try, she thought, feeling a tiny bubble of confidence surge in her. Maybe tonight, after the run, I'll talk to him.

***

Nora's confidence was shaky when she got to the park, but she was still determined to corner Kingston. She'd spent the entire evening rehearsing what she wanted to say, and she'd decided that after the run would be the best time to open her heart. After all, she reasoned with a shiver of fear, what's the worst that can happen?