Speechless(184)

                Noah pouts. “Andy—”

                “Don’t you ‘Andy’ me. If we’re a                     second late, your mother will shove her foot so far up my ass I’ll be eating                     Crocs for a week.”

                Andy helps Noah into the wheelchair, and everyone waves them                     off. Asha and Lou clean off tables while Dex juggles measuring cups and talks                     about all of the blue paint he picked up yesterday.

                “I’m closing tomorrow so we can get a first coat done,” he                     says. “I can count on you guys to help out, right?”

                “Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Sam tells him, leaning                     against me.

                I lean back and close my eyes. I could stay here forever and be                     happy.

                He pokes me in the ribs. “What are you smiling about,                     girlie?”

                I didn’t even realize I was. I open my eyes and smile wider.                     “Life’s just weird sometimes, that’s all,” I say, and then I yawn, and Sam                     grins.

                “Maybe we should get you home, too. Do you need to call your                     parents?”

                I check the time on my phone. “I’ve got a while.” I look up at                     him. “Do you…want to come over?” I ask, and yeah, I’m blushing a little.

                He looks at me for a minute and then says, “I…could do                     that.”

                Lou offers to give Asha a ride home. Before we leave, I grab                     Asha tight, hug her until she laughs.

                “You’ll be here tomorrow?” I ask.

                “Of course.” She glances at Sam and then at me with a knowing                     look and says, “Have funnnn,” snapping her dish                     towel at my shoulder.

                In the parking lot, Sam impulsively picks me up and twirls me                     around and around as I shriek with laughter, kicking my heels, my gauzy skirt                     floating all around us. He sets me down, and I press my mouth to his, dizzy,                     breathless.

                When I pull back just to look at him, it’s like the world is                     spinning and standing still, all at once. And I’m happy.