"Are you crying?" Joe asked half laughing half curious.
"Noooo." I replied in my bad lying voice. "Their friendship is just so beautiful! McQueen cares so much!" I sobbed.
"I know baby." He answered.
"I sat up straight and looked at him oddly.
"Did you just call me baby?" I sniffed.
"...yes?"
I shrugged.
"I guess as long as you don't call me doll. I hate. Doll."
Joe stared at me wide eyed.
"No Doll got it."
We finished watching the movie and Joe went home after exchanging some goodbyes. I darted into Evanna's room as soon as the door had shut.
"Tell me about Denny." I demanded not really asked.
Evanna sighed but smiled.
"Okay so Denny is a guy who just moved in next door."
"Wait." I interrupted her "I thought Mrs. Bridges lived next door?"
"She moved into the old folks home last month. We threw the going away party!"
I nodded. I did recall the party.
"He was wondering if we had any spare lightbulbs because all his were busted in the move. Then we went out for coffee." She explained. I raised my eyebrows.
"And that's it. He's very charming actually."
"Good you deserve a man in your life." I said happily. She whacked me on the shoulder but hesitated.
"Yeah, maybe I do...now get out I have work today."
"...fine" I grumbled. "Hey did you give Denny your number?"
Evanna stopped cold and her face became pale.
"I knew I forgot to do something." I rolled my eyes.
"I got it you get ready."
I scribbled her number on a piece of paper along with a cute drawing of a lightbulb and slipped it under his door.
The next day I went to Joe's rented apartment. I was shocked when I entered. There were boxes everywhere and dozens of luggages.
"...Joe?" I called.
Some ruckus stopped suddenly and Joe rushed out in a pair of holey jeans, tshirt and holding a beer.
"Anna! Oh gosh...well" Then there was another voice coming from the other room.
"Hey Joe who's there?" Out came Holden a second later. "Oh hey waitress!" I couldn't help but to have released a small smile.
"Hey Brian." He nodded and went back into the bedroom.
"What's with all the boxes?" I asked.
"Anna...you know I don't live here full time and well you see I kinda have to go back to Chicago for a while..."
I took a deep breath and nodded.
"No, yeah I knew that." I stared at the ground. I knew he'd eventually have to go back, just not so soon.
Joe came up to me and grabbed my shoulders lightly.
"I'm so sorry." He wrapped me in a tight hug. I let out a small laugh.
"Why are you sorry? You're going home. And you can always visit or I can visit you and with FaceTime now...you know...it'll be fine." I waved it away.
"Okay so might as well help you pack!"
A smile appeared on Joe's face when we got to work. It was fun. I got to tape up the boxes and go through all of Joe's clothing. When we were basically finished Brian invited the gang over. I sent a quick text to Evanna that I was staying a little late and to hang out with Denny. She sent back a smily face so that was that.
Joey, Lauren and Julia were the first to show up then Dylan, Meredith, Rosenthal, Jaime and Jim. They were basically throwing themselves a going away party. There was laughter and jokes and drinks. They played karaoke and no matter how much Joe begged me I did not sing. Jaime, Julia and Lauren sang Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. Meredith and Brian sang You're The One That I Want. That was a show. Joe sang Don't You Forget About Me along with Joey. Joey was a ball. He was doing all sorts of crazy stuff that night. Rosenthal and Dylan sang You Don't Know You're Beautiful in the most ridiculous way possible. Lastly to close the night Jim sang If You're Happy And You Know It Clap You Hands. They were all perfect. It was heartbreaking that they had to leave tomorrow. I volunteered to drive them all to the airport. Around 1:00 everyone started to leave and back to their own nearby apartments. I received many goodbyes; we'll miss yous; you better call girl; and Meredith pretended to cry on my shoulder. There was a promised ladies night whenever we saw each other again. I stayed behind to clean a bit. That had only took a couple of minutes the place was practically empty and the karaoke machine was portable and belonged to Lauren. Brian went to bed after winking at us. An eye roll later and he was gone for the night.
"So..." I said as I lazily walked around the apartment
"So." Joe looked up at the ceiling in the kitchen.
"This is the last time we'll be alone for a long time." I pointed out.
"In person." Joe smiled. I grinned.
"Oh who is going to keep me company in my hospital trips."
"Don't make a habit of those." Joe warned.
"Or watch movies with me."
I walked closer
"Or show me their cat toy." Joe added also and also stepped closer.
"Or dance with me "
"Or race me on the beach." Joe stated. We were really close now. I don't think either one of us could've stepped any closer both in the kitchen.
"Oh just kiss me you dork." I sassed. A second later our lips crashed into each other. It started off sweet but later got fierce. It had sunk in that this would probably be our last kiss before he left. His one arm was wrapped tightly around my waist until he decided to pick me up and set me on the kitchen counter. I didn't blame him. It was a better height difference. I lightly placed my hand on his cheek and continued to have our lips locked. He deepened the kiss before we finally broke. I took a deep breath. In the same breath I took in his scent. Joe scent. He immediately took off his Michigan University sweatshirt and placed it over me.
"Something to remember me by." He winked. I could feel myself getting worked up. I wasn't going to cry in front of him. I wrapped my baggy sweatshirt arms around his neck and brought him into another kiss. He took it gladly.
"Come back for me?" I asked when we broke.
Joe let out a chuckle. Such a joe chuckle.
"Always."
That was all I needed to hear.