Fuck.
I stop on the spot, the importance of this night suddenly now more evident than ever.
As if sensing my impending meltdown, Elliot says calmly, “It’s okay, buddy. You’ve got this. Just stay out of your head, and you’ll be fine.”
I nod.
“Don’t even think about it. I’ll text you the address of the hotel. Pack an overnight bag and go and pick her up from work like normal, and you’ll be fine.”
“Okay.” I nod. He’s right.
“Maybe swing past a pharmacy and pick up some lube.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose.
“Are you listening?”
“Yes,” I spit. “I’m not having this conversation with you.” I hang up in a rush.
I march up the stairs of the hostel and walk straight to my locker. I get out the gift I bought for Eddie. I’ve missed that little fucker.
I walk out to the bar area. He’s serving up the other end and doesn’t notice me. I slink onto a stool. He drifts in and out of languages like a pro, and I watch in awe. He turns and notices me, and his face lights up, and my stomach does a flip.
I frown. What was that?
“Hey.” He smiles.
“My man.” I laugh.
“Where the hell did you go?”
“I had some shit to do at home.” I pass him his gift. “I got you something.”
He stares at the baseball cap with wide eyes. It’s navy blue with the white letters NY on the front. “That stands for New York,” I tell him.
His mouth falls open, and it’s as if I have bestowed him with a sacred family jewel. “Oh my god,” he whispers. “This is incredible.” He passes it back to me. “But I can’t accept it. It’s too much.”
“I want you to have it.”
“You’ve already given me so much.”
“Put it on,” I demand.
He puts it on and bends down to look at his reflection in the shiny refrigerator doors. He smiles proudly. “How do I look?”
“Great.” I smile. His happiness is infectious.
Fuck, I love this kid.
“Thank you so much.” He puts his hand over mine on the bar, and I just want to hug him. But I won’t, because I’ll come off creepy, and he’s just a kid behind the bar that I shouldn’t want to hug.
“Miss Hazen.” He gasps.
“Yes, I’ll see her tonight.”
“She’s been waiting for you to come back.”
Thank god.
“I’m taking her somewhere special tonight.” My phone beeps with a text. Elliot.
Bella Donna
Two nights.
Shit, two nights. That’s a bit presumptuous, isn’t it? Who the hell can be gentle for two nights in a row?
Ugh, this is all . . .
I guess I’ll play it by ear. I could be in dumpsville tomorrow anyway. The spa bath will come in handy to drown myself.
There are people waiting for Eddie to serve them. “You want a beer?” he asks.
“Um.” I frown, and Elliot’s words come back to me. “No, I’m good. I’ll catch you later, buddy.”
He smiles. “Thanks for my hat. I’ll never take it off.”