Loss and Longing

That night, the text that arrived as she lay in bed didn’t surprise her. She picked up her phone and read the message “in bed, but so lonely.”

“Same here” she typed.

“You have no idea how much I wish you were here.”

“Sorry my life is so complicated” she typed.

“I wasn’t trying to pressure you” he sent back “just stating a fact. It’s fine. I understand.”

“Thank you” she typed “night.”

“See ya” he sent.                                                                

The next night Grant walked into the gift shop at eight fifty five.

Stevie couldn’t stop the blush the crept up her neck as she smiled and said “hi.”

“Hey” he said “I wasn’t sure if I should come in.”

“It’s fine” she said and as she felt Rachel come to a stop next to her she added “Grant, this is my best friend Rachel Green. Rachel, Grant Rumor.”

“Nice to meet you Rachel” Grant said offering his hand.

“I’d love to say I’ve heard all about you” Rachel teased “but Stevie has kept you very quiet.”

Stevie rolled her eyes at her friend, “thanks Rachel, you want to embarrass me any further?”

Rachel grinned, not appearing to be the least bit perturbed by the censure in Stevie’s tone. “No I’m done” she said. “Lovely to meet you Grant. I’m sure we’ll being seeing more of each other.”

“I’ll look forward to it” Grant said with a smile.

As Rachel moved away Stevie said “with friends like that, who needs enemies.”

Grant chuckled. “Don’t worry about it” he said. “You nearly done?”

“Yes. Just let me close up.”

“No worries” he said “I’ll wait over here.”