Lesson 158- Make sure to keep some of your money for emergencies.
I have a peaceful day all curled up with Crash. When I wake up I find I’m a little nervous about talking to Torin tonight. I have no idea why, he already confessed his feelings, I’m the one who has been holding back. But he seemed like he had something important to tell me earlier. At the time I wasn’t so worried, but the more I think about it, the more concerned I feel. What has him so concerned? I know I haven’t told him my feelings yet, but I did kiss him more than once so surely he at least suspects, right? I do think that giving him the day to figure things out was the right choice. I would hate for him to make an impulsive decision while under stress then regret it later, and while the issue all feels very urgent to me right now, it isn’t. Not really. Still, I’m a little anxious. So I prepare for the evening the only way I can think of. I shower, put on a cute dress and style my hair in a loose braid that hangs over my left shoulder. I get a little stuck when it comes to makeup. I still have a rather large bandage stuck across my jaw. I peel it off and look at the cut that is slowly healing. It is definitely going to leave a scar, but it’s not too bad now. It looks a lot less red at least. Does it look better with a bandage hiding it, or does that just draw more attention to it? In the end I decide to just leave the bandage off. It’s kind of itchy and I hate the way the medical tape feels. I skip using any foundation or powder makeup anywhere near it though. Instead I just do a little bit of eye makeup and lip gloss then call it done. The actual injury is still a little bit tender, but it doesn’t bother me so much anymore, and it’s a relief to not be wearing the damn bandage.
Catcher is the first one to arrive for the evening. I let him in and he gives out a low whistle.
“Big plans tonight? You look great.” He compliments me and I smile.
“Thanks Catch. I’m planning to ah… Hang out with Torin.” I answer, far too slow. A grin creeps across his face.
“Hang out huh? You don’t usually dress like that just to hang out. Looks like it’s more of a date to me.” He says pointedly and I sigh.
“Maybe. I think the goal of tonight is to work out if it’s ever going to be a date or not.” I admit. I don’t know why I’m telling him this, but with the way everyone gossips around here I doubt that any of it would have ended up being a secret either. Catcher is riveted.
“Woah, is the boss aware of this agenda of yours?” He asks curiously and I nod.
“Yeah, I warned him earlier. So I guess if he doesn’t show up tonight you’ll know why.” I tell him, only actually half joking. Catcher pats me on the shoulder affectionately.
“Of course he’s going to show up. He adores you. He just doesn’t quite know what to do with all that adoration just yet.” He says. I smile.
“Thanks Catch.” I say again and he nods then heads into the bar to set up. Laura and Kyle both arrive together, apparently they went out for the afternoon together. Laura did move back to her place, but they’ve still been carpooling all week. Laura also comments on my outfit before heading out to help Catcher. I give it about thirty seconds before he tells her everything that I told him. I decide to sit with Kyle in the kitchen for a bit to keep myself from stressing too much.
“So, you and Laura, huh?” I say with a grin. Kyle rolls his eyes but I see a slight smile.
“So, you and Torin, huh?” He imitates my tone.
“Maybe. I guess I’ll find out soon enough.” I say with a sigh and Kyle chuckles.
“I still can’t believe Laura asked me out. It doesn’t seem real.” He sighs to himself happily and I smirk. Kyle narrows his eyes at me.
“You knew!” He accuses, then he groans.
“Of course you knew, why wouldn’t you know. Damn girl talk.” He grumbles and I laugh.
“Like you can complain. I know for a fact that you’re in on the betting pool going about Tori and I. You gossip just as much as the rest of us do.” I remind him. Kyle shrugs.
“That’s not gossip. That’s a smart business decision because I am definitely going to win.” He says smugly.
“So you’ll win a couple of hundred bucks, big deal. You’re still a gossip.” I insist. Kyle laughs.
“A couple hundred bucks? Rina, that pool hasn’t been a couple hundred bucks for a while now.” He smirks at me. I narrow my eyes.
“How much is it?” I ask. He thinks a moment.
“Last time I asked? It was at about ten thousand dollars.” He admits and my eyes go wide.
“TEN GRAND? What the HELL?” I ask, sort of impressed and sort of horrified. He shrugs.
“There are a lot of people in on it. Pretty much all the bar regulars. We had to cap it out when the vampires got involved.” He explains. I groan and drop my head onto the bench. Seriously, how is this my life?
“Rina?” Torin says nervously from behind me and I sit up.
“Tori! You’re here.” I smile brightly and he nods.
“I said I would be.” He mumbles and I just grin as I get to my feet.
“Shall we go get the bar opened up?” I say cheerfully and he nods. He looks as anxious as I feel. I was planning on hanging out for a bit, maybe having dinner or something then bringing up the discussion, but now I think I should probably just get it out of the way because he looks stressed as hell. I follow him to help get the bar opened up, then before he can make any excuses or find other work that needs doing, I grab his hand and lead him back to his office. He sits in his desk chair and I perch myself on the edge of the desk in front of him, not particularly wanting to be on opposite sides of a desk for this particular conversation.
“So, about our discussion from this morning.” I start and Torin nods. He hesitates for a moment and I wait for him to gather his thoughts.
“Rina… You… I… You know that I love you.” He starts. Yep, okay and my waiting and patience isn’t going so well. I’m just so happy to hear him say it that I immediately lean down and kiss him. Torin groans and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me off the desk and onto his lap. I immediately wrap my arms around his neck and tangle my fingers in his hair. I feel far more confident than I did an hour ago. I don’t know what he’s worrying about, but he does love me, so I’m sure we can figure it out. Plus this kiss is actual perfection. At least it is up until the moment he suddenly freezes and pulls away.
“We need to stop. I can’t do this.” Torin says breathlessly. Huh?
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