Page 16 of I Never Stopped Loving You

Willow

…

“She’s typing.”

If I grip this phone any tighter, it might actually shatter. Not that I don’t have a few new ones lying around because of past incidents. But I don’t feel like replacing my phone tonight when I need to get ready to see her.

Willow

Seven?

Noah

Perfect. What’s your favorite thing to eat?

And please don’t say salad. LOL

…

I watch the little dots appear and disappear, suddenly second-guessing my response. What if she’s a vegetarian? What if salad is her favorite?

Willow

Burgers. Know any good spots?

Noah

I know just the place.

“Soo? What did she say?” Jeremy asks, as if he hasn’t been nosily looking at my screen.

“I’m picking her up at seven.”

“And where are you taking her?” he asks as he finally stands, walks over to the window, and glances down at the people below.

“The World’s End Craft Burger Bar.”

“What?” His face is contorted in confusion as he looks back at me.

“It’s literally a burger bar. I took Olivia there one time. They actually have a burger called Purgatory. It has a fucking Chipotle peanut butter sauce on it.”

I can’t help but laugh as he scrunches his nose and shakes his head.

“Peanut butter? On a burger?”

“Hey, man. Don’t knock it ‘till you try it.”

I stand and stretch, glancing at my watch. It’s just after five. I still have paperwork to finish so I don’t have enough time to run home and change, sadly.

“Hey, can I come shower at your place really quick?”

“What are you going to wear? You can’t go on a date dressed in what she saw you wearing earlier.”

“I always keep a getaway bag in my car. Clothes, toiletries, and a bit of cash. You know…”

“Only mildly alarming, but okay. Sure. Where does she live?”

“Up toward Sterling Heights.”