"Soon." She nodded. "I work here and part time in town at the local grocery store. I'll have enough to go to school in the fall next year. I'll still have to work and find a place to live with roommates, but I'll be able to do it."
"That's great." I squeezed her hands in encouragement. I had a feeling she could do anything she put her mind to.
The door opened, and an older woman walked in. She stared briefly at Holly and me before nodding and heading into the back. It was then I realized how close we were. Our chairs were pulled together, shoulders touching. Our hands were entwined on the tabletop, and as we talked, our heads had drifted nearer together, almost touching. It was as if we were wrapped in a bubble of our own, sharing our lives with each other. I had never experienced this sense of intimacy with another person…or this sense of wanting to be even closer.
"My shift relief is here," she told me. "That's Barb."
"Does she work every night?" I couldn't imagine getting up in the middle of the night all the time.
Holly grinned mischievously and bent forward, her voice discreet. "Yes. Rumor has it she likes how Ronnie, um, runs the kitchen—" she winked "—if you know what I mean. Worth getting out of bed for, I hear." Then she giggled, and I chuckled with her.
"What about you, Holly? Do you like his kitchen skills?" I teased her, even though inside I was feeling a strange tightening of my stomach as I waited for her answer.
She relaxed back in her chair. "Nope. He's always too hot—working by the stove." She quirked her eyebrows, making her look adorable. "I prefer cold hands and feet. Gives me something to warm up while cuddling."
I laughed at her cheeky remarks. She was quite adorable.
She yawned—trying to cover the fact that she was doing so by turning her head.
My smile faded, because I knew what that meant. It was time to say goodbye to her. I stood.
"You must be tired, and it's time for you to go home. I need to find a ride into town."
She reached out her hand, grabbing mine, and pulling me back into my chair. "I'll take you."
"You don't have to—" I hesitated, but I really wanted a little more time with her.
"Don't be silly. I'm going into town anyway."
"Yeah?"
She nodded. "I, ah, just have to do a few things."
I released her hand regretfully. "Take your time." I grinned, pleased at the offer. "I'm not going anywhere."
She disappeared into the kitchen, my eyes following her movements, my head echoing with one small phrase I couldn't understand.
"Not without you."
"This is what you drive?" I gaped at the monster truck sitting in the last spot in the parking lot. "Can you see over the dashboard?"
Holly chuckled. "Yes. It was the one thing that came with us, everywhere we went. And one of the few things I have left of my parents. It's an old friend."
"Is it safe?" Old friend or not, it looked like it had seen better days.
She snorted. "Get in, fraidy cat."
I climbed in, and a few seconds later, Holly had the engine cranked up and the heater going. "It just takes a few minutes to warm up."
"Okay."
Our eyes met and held in the dim light coming from the dashboard. The cab got warm. Very warm. I swallowed nervously. Holly's bright eyes reflected the light as she stared at me, her gaze unsure. Slowly, I lifted my hand, grazing my fingers over her cheek. "You've been so kind to me all night, Holly. More than you know."
"I just helped you warm up," she whispered, searching my eyes with her own.
"Yes, you did that. But you talked to me and listened. You cared for me. That is so…special. I can't thank you enough."
"You're welcome."