Every Rose by Lynetta Halat Page A

relieved. I wonder if he thought I was leaving. I’m not going anywhere. Realization dawns on me, I don’t ever want this night to end. I don’t want for another day that he’s not a part of. I ignore a nagging little thought that chants something about me being the obsessed one.
    “Can I get you anything else?” The server asks, pulling me from my musings.
    “Oh, no,”  I say, “I’m good.”
    “Well, just let me know.”
    I try to pull him into a conversation. “So are you and Michael friends, then?”
    “Yeah, we hang out.” He offers me a huge grin and his hand. “I’m Jason.”
    I shake it and grin. “I’m Lorraina.”
    “How do you know Mike?” He asks.
    “We went to school together. We were good friends before I went away to college.” I have to bite my lip quickly to keep from shouting that he is the love of my life, but I was too stupid to do anything about that before and am here to rectify that tonight!
    “Oh, yeah. Well, he must really like you. I’ve never seen him act so…not tortured. Sorry, that’s the best way I can describe it,” he finishes with a shrug and continues wiping the counter down.
    I feel so “not tortured” myself. “I really like him,” I admit with a sigh.
    “Good, I get good vibes from you. And Mike is good people. He deserves someone good.” He gives me a smile.
    I smile back at him. “He really is a good person,” I agree.
    I turn my attention back to Michael and enjoy the rest of his playing. He wraps up his second set, thanks everyone for coming out, and starts to pack up his guitar. I’m nervous. I wonder what we will do. Does he already have plans? I hope not. I don’t want to share him.
    He comes over and leans on the bar. He picks up a coaster and spins it quickly like a top. “They’re closing. Do you have any plans tonight?”
    Oh, yes. I certainly do. “Um…No, what about you?”
    “I do, unfortunately.” He’s looking down so he doesn’t notice my crestfallen expression. I quickly rearrange my face, hoping for a neutral look. “I have another gig in about thirty minutes. My band is playing at Grey tonight; it’s the new club at Starlight Casino. I’ll probably be there until around one or two.” He looks up and his face holds a look of disappointment.
    This makes me smile a little. He doesn’t want to leave me either. I’ve never been to a casino, though. “I could wait for you, but that’s really late for me to be out,” I say hesitantly. Obviously, I’m old enough; but I just feel intimidated for some reason.
    “I know. It’s not a bad scene , though, if you’d like to go with me.”
    “I don’t know,” I hedge. “What are you doing tomorrow?”
    “I’m off tomorrow until my gig here at seven,” he replies quickly.
    I don’t want to wait until tomorrow to see him; I suppress the urge to stamp my foot like a petulant child. “Well, could we do something tomorrow then?” Please say yes, please say yes.
    “I would love that. I’ll give you my number so you can call me when you wake up.”
    “OK.” He grabs a napkin and writes his number down for me. I tuck it inside my journal.
    “I’ll walk you out,” he tells me. He settles his business with Jason while I pack up and ready myself. Jason waves goodbye to us. This sucks, I think.
    He walks me to my car, mentioning a few different things we could do tomorrow. I’m not really hearing him because I am nervous about how to say goodbye to him. I came here hoping for…for what? I don’t know. I just know it wasn’t a goodbye, even a temporary one.
    I must’ve responded in a positive way because he seems not to notice my distractedness. He grabs my hand again as we reach my car. I latch on to his hold. “Lorraina, I can’t tell you how good it was to see you again.”
    I smile up at him, “I know. I feel the same.” That was eloquent, I chide myself. I’m just reeling.
    “I’ll be waiting for your call in the morning.”
    “Is eight too early?” I