Page 4 of Crash and Burn

I looked up from contemplating my shot glass. Grant was playing with his own, looking off in the distance.

Was he thinking about losing his job, too? Was he already planning an exit strategy, worrying about how to make ends meet?

Was he thinking about how we wouldn't have a reason to spend time together anymore?

This had to be a sign from the universe. I had to say something. I couldn't leave this place without telling Grant how I felt. The thought of never seeing him again was too painful.

Sure, we could pay lip service to being friends, to keeping in touch, but I knew exactly how that would go. We'd meet up for coffee a few times, then one of us would get busy and ask to reschedule, and then the other would have plans, and the next thing we knew, six months would go by without seeing each other.

I didn't want to let that happen. I'd stayed at this job long past the time when I should have quit. And now the decision was being forced on me.

If I didn't say anything, I was going to lose Grant.

I opened my mouth.

He flicked his eyes to me, cocking his head quizzically.

My heart pounded. My cheeks flushed. My head swam.

"What is it?" he asked.

"You want another?" I blurted.

Grant blinked slowly.

"Another drink?" he asked to clarify.

Chastising myself for my cowardice, I nodded and slid my shot glass down along the counter to land in front of him.

"You sure?" he asked. "You've been hitting these pretty hard."

My head was still woozy and I didn't know whether it was from the alcohol or from Grant's blue eyes staring into mine.

"One more and then I'm done," I said.

He poured me one last glass, as I had requested. He didn't take one for himself.

I knocked it back, shuddering less this time, and slammed it on the counter.

"I know I complained about the tips," I said, hoping my words didn't sound slurred. "But that didn't mean I wanted this. Poor Manny."

"I feel for the guy," Grant said. "The neighborhood is changing, and a place like this doesn't really fit in among the cupcake shops and stationery stores. Moms and dads aren't going to be taking their kids here for dinner. Manny put a lot of his heart and soul into this place, and soon it's going to be gone." Grant let out a heavy breath through his nose. "I wonder what he's going to do now."

It was just like Grant to worry about Manny, in the same way he worried about me and my future plans.

I put my hand on Grant's shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze.

"I'm sure things will work out," I said. "At least we've still got a few more weeks, just like you said, right?"

Grant gave me a smile and put his hand on top of mine. His hand was warm and his fingers were rough. The scratch of his skin against my own softer flesh was enough to send goosebumps running up my arms.

"We'll have to make the most of the time we have left," he said.

I looked into his eyes, taking note of the concern but also the hint of hope behind them. I found myself leaning forward unconsciously. That deep blue gaze flickered, the pupils going wide and dark as he stared back at me. His hand closed around my fingers, lacing them together.

That tight grip did something to my insides, making my stomach flip over on itself.

"Grant…" I murmured. "I—"