❝But I won't go, do you hear me?
I'll be sure not to leave 'fore you know my name❞

- Alessia Cara, Girl Next Door.

"Renée McCann, it's been over a week since I told you to call mom and dad," Tanner came into the kitchen, a stern look on his face.

"I totally forgot!" I gasped.

"What do you mean you forgot? Mom called this morning. She doesn't even know you have a job. And you know she needs you to call."

"I promise I'll call them today," I looked at him. It was Sunday afternoon and I was struggling with my biology homework, my lips pursed in frustration.

I heard Tanner sigh, "Homework?"

"Yes. Stupid homework."

"What is it?"

"Biology," I let out a breath.

"I'd help you, but I guarantee it's be total nonsense, so let's not go there," he walked to the refrigerator and took out a bottle of water.

"It's fine, I'll just text Kaleb," I said, and that was exactly what I did.

*Hey did you finish your homework on biology?*

It didn't take him two minutes before he replied,

*Nah, I'll do it tonight or tomorrow morning. Did you do it yet?*

*I tried, but I couldn't finish. I'll copy yours tomorrow. Love you.*

I kept my phone away and closed my text, jumping off the high stool and was about to leave the kitchen when Tanner called me back, "We have to talk."

"What's up?"

"I know-"

"That I used your cologne unsparingly? I'm sorry, it just smells really good."

He looked at me in surprise, "Well, since you just opened that chapter, we'll talk about it later-"

I face palmed. What was wrong with me?

"— I was going to say I know we made a deal about this working thing. So, what's the conclusion? Do you feel like you want to continue or not?"

I could say no, that way things will be back to normal after school, but the cute guy at the bakery came to mind. Yesterday as Kaleb said, we were making progress. If I stopped working, I wouldn't see him again. So, I let out a breath and nodded, "I'll continue."

I really hoped it would be worth it, though.

"Okay, I didn't expect you to want to continue but that's great. You're liking the place, aren't you?"

I shrugged, "It's alright."

"You know, Kendall asked of you yesterday and if you had started working at the bakery. I told her you were grateful."

I looked at him, "You know that not true, though."

"Hey, at least you like the place."

"I said it's alright. Even if I did like the place, that didn't mean you had to lie against me," I rolled my eyes.

He chuckled, pulling my cheek, "You're difficult, you know that?"

"Oh, please. We know I got that from you. That's my justification," I kissed his cheek, about to leave the kitchen when I heard my big brother's voice stop me again, "Renée, as soon as you get into your room, call mom and dad. Seriously, if I call mom tomorrow and she tells me you've not called her, I won't take it lightly with you."

I chuckled, "Okay, Mr Difficult."

But I knew Tanner wasn't joking. If I didn't call them today, he really wouldn't take it lightly with me and that was why I immediately called my mom when I got into my room.

After a conversation with mom and dad for almost an hour, I was tired and happy. Happy because they were more involved in me and Tanner's lives now. Sometimes, it felt like they wanted to know everything going on, especially in my life. It could get annoying when mom worried about something she shouldn't wort about, but I knew she was just concerned and that was what made me happy.

*****

This was the latest I'd ever worked. It was Monday and ever since I arrived at work today, there was no break. People kept trooping in and out of the bakery.
The cute guy who was always on my mind sat in his usual seat, focused on what he was sketching, but for the first time I couldn't devote a lot of time to watch him daydream.

I pushed some strands of hair behind my ear and took my phone out of my front pocket, checking the time.

6:30pm.

I saw a text from Tanner asking if I was still at work and I replied, letting him know I was still working and that it was a busy day today.

"Renée, could you take care of the counter before you leave, please?" Sky called to me and I nodded, "Sure."

I looked around for the Lysol spray which I found in the store. I grabbed it and headed back to the counter after taking a duster as well.

After spraying and wiping the glass counter, I set the spray aside, stepping away from the counter, going to check the tables in the bakery to see if there was anything left on them.

Taking long strides as I walked briefly to the first table, I looked forward. I was going to take another step when I noticed just last minute that there was some frosting on the floor and I unavoidably missed it. I yelped and felt myself falling but then I felt myself being held up.

I instantly locked eyes with the guy who wouldn't leave my head and I let it a breath, a hand on my chest as I took a step backward, "Oh my, I'm sorry... I mean, thank you."

"You're quite clumsy," he said with a small smile on his face.

I rolled my eyes, "Tell me about it. I'm usually not like that."

"You sure about that? You pretty much slipped in front of me the other day."

"Okay, yeah, maybe I am," I shrugged, nodding and he chuckled. Taking my time to stare at him as he did so, I didn't know exactly when he caught my gaze. I passed him an awkward smile before asking, "Were you coming to the counter? Did you want something?"

"Uh... yeah," he nodded. "Yeah, I was actually wondering if I could get something to drink. Like iced coffee or a smoothie?"

"The smoothies are great," I told him.

"Well, then maybe you can get me one?"

"I don't know if you've had the four berry blend, but that's like the best," I said, feeling my face brighten up. "I'll bring it to you," I walked back carefully to the counter and grabbed a smoothie cup from a small cupboard, turning to put on the smoothie machine. I was surprised to find him leaning against the counter, his eyes on the sample menu that rested on the counter. I really did feel like running my fingers through his hair but I had to comport myself. Remembering what Kaleb had told me, I believed so far I'd done an okay job. It was just all about being myself.

I turned on the smoothie machine and suddenly felt conscious. I could feel his eyes on me, but at the same time, I wasn't sure if they were really on me.

"It's the first time you're still here at a time like this. You're working late today?"

I felt a smile form on my lips. Did this mean he noticed these things? "Watching me, aren't you?"

"Maybe I'm just observant," he shrugged. "It's good to be."

I filled the cup with a cold four berry blend smoothie and handed it to him, a small chuckle escaping my lips as I shook my head. He took the cup from me, "Thanks, uh," his eyes dropped to my name tag which I'd just gotten today, "... Renee?"

"You should try it with the accent," I told him as he had pronounced the name with the accent which I understood, because it was spelt without the accent on the tag.

"Renée? Yeah, that's it," he nodded and I chuckled yet again, "If you're going to say the name, you've got to say it right."

"Interesting," he countered.

"Well, since you know my name. It only makes sense that I know yours."

A slow smile slowly creeped up to his face, "You know that's a super smooth way of asking what my name is."

I laughed, throwing my palm over my mouth. He joined me, chuckling before saying, "River."

"What?" I cocked an eyebrow.

"You want to know what my name is?"

"Yeah," I nodded.

"That's it. River."

"Oh," I eyed him. "Like, water river?"

He chuckled, "I don't know that, but I know my name is River."

The bakery suddenly felt hot. Or was it his name?

●

Finally! His name comes out!
Do you know anyone who is named River?

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