I was about to get into my car when my phone rang. Shit, my hands were full with my purse, lunch bag, and coffee cup from the morning. I felt around for my phone, but couldn’t find it. What if it was Dylan? I dropped everything on the ground and bent to find it, probably giving quite the view to anyone walking behind me.
There it was, in my lunch bag, and it was Dylan!
“Hello?” I panted into the phone.
“Juliette? Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Hold on a minute.”
“Sure.”
I fumbled through picking everything back up and rushed to get settled in the car.
“Hi. Sorry. I’m here,” I finally said, still out of breath.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, you just caught me getting into my car, and as you may have noticed, I’m, uh, not that coordinated.”
I held my breath waiting for his response. I wasn’t usually this forthcoming, but I wanted to be with him. Besides, it was obviously too late to try to hide it.
He chuckled softly, neither denying nor agreeing with my words, and I guess that was as good a response as any.
“Juliette, I want to apologize for the other night. I was an ass. I knew something was wrong, and I didn’t try to make it better for you. I didn’t know what to do.”
His heartfelt words hit hard. I struggled to find the right response.
He came to my rescue. “Can we have a do-over?” he asked, lightening the moment.
“A do-over?”
“Yeah. Quick and easy. I’m working, but there’s a coffee shop right across the street from the station. I can’t promise I won’t get called away, but I’d really like to see you, even if it’s only for a few minutes. Is that okay?”
He wants to see me? Yes! My heart pounded in my chest. “Yeah, that sounds good,” I said, trying to sound casual. “When?”
“Are you free now?”
Now? Right now? No! I needed time to prepare. “Um, okay.” What else could I say?
“I promise I will never purposely stand you up, but my time is unpredictable. I could be called out the minute we hang up. I’ll try to let you know, but I may not be able to. So, if you get there and I’m not there, call me and text me, and if I can’t get there or answer, I’ll make it up to you. Are you okay with that?”
“Yeah, I know you’re working. It’s okay. Thanks for making the time to try to see me.”
“It’s my pleasure. See you soon. Drive safe.”
My heart melted at those caring words.
He gave me the name and address of the coffee shop, and fifteen stressful minutes later, I pulled up and parallel parked in front of the place, hoping he couldn’t see me from wherever he was.
I opened the door to the Urban Grind, inhaling the fortifying aroma of fresh coffee, and before I could take a single step in, Dylan was there.
“Hi, Juliette,” he said softly with a smile.
My stomach fluttered. “Hi.”
“It’s good to see you again.”
“You too.” Why couldn’t I think of anything to say that was more than one or two words?