“Well, then you need some coffee and maybe a fancy doughnut,” Thomas said. He winked at me and I tried to smile.
“I don’t think so,” I said.
“June.” Thomas gave me a stern look. “I care about you. Angela cares about you. You can’t stay inside and mope just because the school fucked up.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Fine,” I said. “You want me to come out? I’ll come out.” I stomped across the room and defiantly pulled on a jacket. When I glanced up, Angela was staring at me in shock. Thomas merely looked bemused.
“June, I just—“
“No,” Thomas said firmly. “She’s coming with me and that’s that.”
I followed Thomas out of my apartment, down the stairs, and into a waiting car.
“Someone vandalized my Porsche,” Thomas said casually once we were settled in the back seat.
My jaw dropped. “Thomas! Why didn’t you tell me that? You know – like, sooner?”
Thomas sighed. “I didn’t want to add to your stress,” he said. He reached over and squeezed my knee. A warm, pleasant sensation floated through my body and I closed my eyes. Being with Thomas was making me feel better than I’d felt since before I’d gotten fired. But I knew that wouldn’t last – I knew that as soon as I was alone again, my anxiety would come trickling back in to haunt me.
“When did it happen?” I narrowed my eyes.
Thomas reached forward and tapped the back of the driver’s seat. “Café DeLuxe, please,” he said. “It’s in Bushwick.”
I narrowed my eyes. “That sounds trendy,” I said.
Thomas laughed. “I’m surprised you haven’t heard of it before.” He rolled his eyes. “I’ll be the oldest one there.”
“You’re getting off track,” I said. “What happened to your car? When?”
Thomas looked guilty. “Yesterday, when I was upstairs with you,” he said. “I came back down to the street to find my tires slashes. Someone shattered the windshield, too.”
Guilt surged through my body and tears welled up in my eyes. This is my fault, too, I realized sadly. Thomas may be having a good effect on my life, but I certainly can’t say the same about my effect on his!
Thomas cupped my chin in his hands. “No,” he said firmly. “Don’t get upset. Don’t blame yourself, June – you had no way of knowing.”
I bit my lip. “I feel like such an idiot,” I said softly.
“Why?” Thomas snorted. “It’s not like vandalization like that happens on the regular, does it?”
“No,” I admitted reluctantly.
“See? It wasn’t your fault at all. Don’t worry about it,” Thomas said firmly. “I want you to concentrate on feeling better, you understand?”
All I could do was nod. The car slowed to a stop and Thomas climbed out before walking around and opening the door for me. Café DeLuxe was just as I’d pictured it from the name. An open-air bistro filled a large space that was easily four times the size of the apartment I shared with Angela. Outdoor heaters were placed strategically between the tables and people sat with coffees, papers, and the occasional laptop.
“This really is a hipster joint,” I remarked to Thomas as we approached.
Thomas snickered. “I thought you’d like it,” he said.
I glanced down at my boring sweater and jeans. “I don’t think I’m cool enough for this place,” I said.
Thomas took my hand and squeezed. “You’re with me,” he said. “You’re cool enough.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re so corny,” I said. I blushed.
Thomas raised an eyebrow. “You like it,” he said confidently.
“Yeah,” I said quietly. “I do.”