Friendly

Chapter 5

Sunday. The AC goes out in my car.

B: Tink is sick.

D: Sick? What's wrong?

B: Hot flashes?

D: Cute.

D: Seriously what's wrong with her?

B: AC went out.

D: Girl you need to get your head gasket checked.

B: You offering? 😉

D: You might need more help than I can give ya.

B: Rude

D: JK.

D: Let me look at the schedule tomorrow. See when I can get her in.

B: Thank you.

Monday.

Phone buzzes with a call. I am working at the clinic today and working the front desk. Normally I wouldn't answer the phone, but I see it's Dale's calling me. It's probably Daryl calling about Tink. I ask Noah to cover the phones for a second and I go to the back and answer my phone.

"Hello."

"Hey, it's me." Daryl says on the other line. "Got some bad news. I'm all booked so I won't get to see my favorite girl today?"

"Your favorite girl, huh? You talkin' about me or Tink?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" He says playfully.

"Cute." I say sarcastically. "Well when can you make time for your favorite girl?"

"Tink, I can see Wednesday. You? I can see tonight?" His voice raises at the end and it sounds like a question.

Is he asking me out? Awful timing. "Well Tink will absolutely be there on Wednesday. But unfortunately, I have a family dinner tonight. Maggie is introducing Glenn to the family." I hate telling him no.

"Well I guess that answers who my favorite is then." He says lightly but I can tell he's a little disappointed.

"You free tomorrow night?" I say hopeful.

"Yeah." His voice sounds deflated and I pray I haven't blown it.

Tuesday

D: Something has come up.

D: Can't hang tonight. Rain check?

B: No worries. Everything okay?

D: Yup. All is good. See you tomorrow.

Wednesday

When I drop off Tink, Daryl is busy and I can't say hi to him. I haven't talked to him since he texted me yesterday saying he couldn't hang out. He said everything was okay, but I get the feeling he's avoiding me. Maybe I am just being paranoid. When I pick up Tink, he is under another car so once again I don't get to speak to him or even wave. At least Tink's hot flashes have been cured.

Friday

Thankfully, I was just being paranoid. Daryl wasn't and isn't avoiding me. His brother had gotten arrested for being drunk and disorderly on Tuesday. The shop has also been crazy busy this week and he has been working some long hours. He had today off and texted me earlier explaining everything. He told me he was going to rest today and text me later. I look at the clock and it is almost 10 pm and I haven't heard from him since this morning. I just finish an essay for class next week when my phone rings.

"Hello."

"Hi." Daryl says sleepily on the other end of the phone.

I smile. "Well hey there stranger. Did you catch up on some rest?"