Liam
From: [email protected]
SUBJECT: Stop emailing me jackass!
Before you go broke.
Sophie
I’m smiling goofily at my phone when Michael sweeps into the office. “I need you to work tomorrow,” he says.
I look up from my phone. “You’re supposed to be taking this weekend. You sent the roster around last week.”
“Well now I have to be elsewhere tomorrow,” he says, talking slowly as though I’m not able to hear him. “So you need to do it.”
“I can’t. I already have plans.” I look him straight in the eye. His jaw is tight, his gaze narrow. He’s wearing a white shirt and gray pants, and if it wasn’t for his personality he’d probably be considered attractive.
Okay, he is attractive. But not to me. That wore off along with my teenage bad skin and the urge to wear Livestrong bracelets.
“Why are you being difficult?” he asks. “If you want to be part of the team you have to sacrifice sometimes.”
“Because I’m doing something with a friend and I don’t like letting friends down.” I shrug. “I’m sorry but you’re going to need to rearrange your plans.”
He doesn’t walk away. Instead, he shuffles his feet and looks at his hands. “My mom’s in the hospital,” he says quietly. “I need to visit.”
All the fight goes out of me. “Oh God, I’m sorry.”
He nods but says nothing.
“Of course I can do it,” I tell him. “I just need to rearrange a couple of things.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“I hope she feels better soon. Is there anything you need?” I ask him. The memories of my own mom’s sickness hits me right in the gut. I even find myself putting my hand on top of his.
He shakes his head quickly. “Just doing the forecasts will be good.”
“All day?”
“I’m afraid so. Last one is at nine.”
“Okay. I’ll be here.”
He walks out and I grab my phone, quickly tapping out a message to Liam.
I’ve just been told I need to work tomorrow until late, so I’ll need to take a raincheck. I’m sorry. – Sophie
It’s weird how disappointed I feel. I barely have time to think about that before a reply flashes up on my screen. I guess he still isn’t paying attention to his meeting.
What time will you be finished? – Liam
Not until after the nighttime news. At around ten. Way too late. – Sophie
You’ll still need to eat, right? I’ll pick you up from the station. I’ll cook for you. – Liam
A little thrill washes through me.