Passage 3
"I have a large, decaf caramel late for the prettiest girl in the world?"
Wish laughed, "Patrick, who put you on coffee duty today?"
"I thought you deserved a special treat. Those interns never get it right," Patrick said, putting the coffee on Wish's desk.
"Well, thank you. That was sweet of you."
"How's the Hamerson trade going?" Patrick asked, peering over Wish's shoulder.
"Awful, he's being stubborn." Wish said, going to take a sip from her coffee. Patrick took it out of her hand before she could.
"You need a break. I'll put the coffee in the microwave to keep warm, you and I need to go out for lunch. Something's eating at you, I can tell."
"You're right, I could use a break. Are we walking?"
Patrick laughed, "Race you to outside!"
•••
There was a little coffee shop close to the office building that Wish practically lived in. She didn't like sitting in an office all day; a change of scenery helped her business work. She knew the owners and they always reserved her favorite table by the window.
That's why she and Patrick got a seat when the rest of the place was packed. They ordered sandwiches, and Patrick took Wish's hand.
"What's wrong?" Patrick asked.
"Nothing!"
"Come on, Wish, I know you."
"Do you?" Wish asked sheepishly.
"What do you mean by that?" Patrick asked.
"I don't know, Patrick... I just-"
"Hey, Wish!" Jason walked up to their table.
Wish wanted the floor to open up and swallow her whole. But it didn't she was still there, so she nodded curtly.
"Um, Wish, who's this?" Patrick asked.
"Yeah, Wish, who's this?" Jason copied.
"Patrick, this is an old friend. Jason, this is my boyfriend," Wish begrudgingly introduced.
"Boyfriend! Well, well, isn't that sweet. But Wish, darling, what about us?" Jason teased Wish. Her face grew red, and Patrick was very confused.
"What is he-"
"Shut up, Jason, you're the one who left," Wish snapped. "Can you just leave?"
"Wish...?" Patrick asked.
Jason turned to Patrick.
"I'm sorry, I'm Jason Pirson! Nice to meet you." Jason shook Patrick's hesitant hand.
"Patrick Fredricks," Patrick introduced himself.
"Wish and I practically grew up together. We're like siblings," Jason said, a huge smile plastered on his face.
"Oh, siblings!" Patrick said, relieved.
Wish was still quietly fuming, but the sibling comment pushed her over the edge.
"Yes, then Jason decided to just leave. Without telling me. I haven't seen him in ten years."
"Oh, well, Wish, I'm sure he had a good reason-"
"Just be quiet, Patrick," Wish said, snatching her hand away. "I'm going back to the office.
"But what about the food?" Patrick asked.
"Don't leave, I'll go," Jason offered. "Nice to meet you, Patrick."
"Nice to meet you, Jason!" Patrick said, returning Jason's smile.
Jason strode from the coffee shop, winking at the barista.
"He seems nice," Patrick observed.
"He left me when I needed him. I don't want to talk about it," Wish mumbled, drinking her water.
"Is he what's bothering you?" Patrick asked.
"No. I mean, I guess, a little. It's just been forever since I've seen him. We used to do a lot of stuff together as kids. We'd play around his dad's mechanic shop. He was my first crush, my first kiss..."
"But he said you two were like siblings?"
Wish blinked, coming back to reality. "Yeah, well, it was a long time ago."
Patrick took Wish's hand again.
"Alright. If you said it was a long time ago, I believe you. I'm sorry he upsets you so much. Would you like to go back to the office?"
Wish smiled. "You're sweet, Patrick. No, it's ok, let's finish our lunch. Thanks for taking me out."
"Of course!"
Wish and Patrick had a nice lunch, but the whole time Wish's mind was on Jason, and what could have been.