14 Exchanging Numbers

"So, tell us more about this job," David said after polishing off another roll. "I only know what Aubs told me after you guys had lunch earlier this week."

Eden shrugged. "There isn't much more to tell. I'm going to be a research assistant at a pharmaceutical lab but I haven't been told what project I'll be working on yet. I have to sign a bunch of confidentiality paperwork first.

"I can say that they offer a full benefits package and that I'm thrilled to be back where I'm comfortable. No more soda spills or pizza grease for me. I wish I didn't even have to give notice at Freddie's so I could start right away."

Aubrey sighed and shook her head. "You were always too good for that place. Endure it a little longer and you'll finally be free! But what about your mascot guy?"

David raised an eyebrow. "Mascot guy?"

"The guy in the Freddie Funnington suit that Eden got Valentine's Day candy from. What's his name again?"

"Troy," Eden said as she swirled her straw around in her water. "I don't know his last name."

"So I can't look him up on social media and find out all his dirty little secrets for you," Aubrey sighed dramatically. "Lame. You didn't answer my question though. Are you going to keep seeing him after leaving Freddie's?"

How had the subject managed to come to this after she tried so hard to get thoughts of it out of her head earlier? She honestly didn't know what was going to happen after leaving.

Obviously, Eden wanted to keep talking to Troy because he was a great conversationalist. They had plenty of things to talk about aside from complaining about work, unlike with the rest of her coworkers.

It would be cool to go on a few of the hikes he had mentioned together as well. There were so many trails she hadn't tried out in the area because she had been too busy with either work or school during her nearly five years in San Jose.

"I don't know," she admitted. "I don't know if 'seeing' is the right word though since I've never seen him outside of the mascot suit."

Aubrey was surprised. "Still? Haven't you guys been talking for weeks?"

"Yeah."

"And you aren't at all curious what he looks like?"

Of course Eden was curious. But it wasn't like she was going to date him so looks didn't matter. Besides, she would see his face eventually if they ended up hanging out after she quit.

She shrugged. "I'll find out soon enough if we end up hanging out."

"And if you don't?" Aubrey asked, dumbstruck.

"Then it will be an unsolved mystery that haunts me for the rest of my life," Eden deadpanned. "He's fun to talk to but it isn't as if I like him or anything. You're always so dramatic about these sorts of things."

Her best friend obviously wanted to say more but was distracted by the arrival of the food. The matter was completely forgotten after that, though she suspected David changed the subject on purpose once conversation started up again. Bless him.

They parted ways cheerfully and Eden went home happy and full of ribs. Despite intruding thoughts of Troy on and off all day, today had been pretty darn good.

===

The next day at work, Eden tried flagging Troy down unsuccessfully a few times over the course of the morning before finally getting his attention. "Hey! Troy!"

He turned at the sound of his name and waved a bit sheepishly. "Hi, Eden. What's up?"

"I got the job I interviewed for! Isn't that great? I'm giving my two weeks' notice today," she said happily.

"That is great! The sooner you get out of here the better."

His word choice was a bit odd but Eden supposed he was jealous he couldn't leave this job too. He was probably using the generic 'you' applying to anyone that worked at Freddie's based on some of their previous conversations.

"I think so too. I definitely won't miss this place…aside from our conversations, I mean," she tacked on quickly so he wouldn't get offended.

"No need to miss those if they don't stop," Troy replied with a shrug. "We should exchange numbers and keep in contact after you leave."

Eden's heart flipped in her chest. That was way too easy. She hadn't even had to bring it up herself! She smiled sunnily at him. "Good idea. You probably can't type in that thing so why don't you tell me yours and I can text you so you have mine."

"Sure thing. You ready?"

She glanced around to be sure Marty didn't catch her with her phone out—not that it mattered much anyway since she was quitting today—and took it out of her pocket to open a new contact tab. "Ready."

"408-279-0061," Troy recited. "You might want to wait to send me that text though. I forgot to turn the volume off so if I get one now, it'll be loud enough to alert everyone here and I'll get yelled at."

Eden snickered. That sort of carelessness didn't seem like him. "Alright, I'll wait until after work to spare you from Marty's wrath."

The conversation ended there because the man in question came out of his office to make sure no one was slacking off because it was slow. They immediately got back to their cleaning as if they hadn't been chatting at all.

She felt light for the rest of her shift even though things got crazy busy on Friday nights and she wasn't sure whether or not it was because her days here were numbered or because she had gotten Troy's number without any fuss. Maybe it was a bit of both.