She works the counter at that diner on 4th
Where the locals go when the sun gets sore
I lay tile for a living, come in most days
Just to hear her laugh and watch her smile my way
(Verse 2)
She talks ‘bout leaving, says Tucson feels small
Got desert dust dreams and big city calls
I listen close, nod my head like I get it
But truth is, I’d give it all just to be in her exit
(Chorus)
She was almost mine in that fading light
In the way her eyes held on too tight
In every cup of coffee she poured me slow
In the words we said but never let go
But she had fire and a highway plan
And I was just a stay-put kind of man
Yeah, I loved her quiet all this time
She was never really mine
But she was almost mine
(Verse 3)
She left this morning in a beat-up Ford
Didn’t say where, just “I can’t stay no more”
I watched the dust trail disappear
Thinkin’ ‘bout a life that never got near
(Chorus)
She was almost mine in those desert nights
When the stars lit up our silent might-have-beens right
In every “see you tomorrow” she’d say
Like maybe tomorrow she’d finally stay
But she had dreams I couldn’t bind
And I was rooted in this sunburned life
Yeah, I loved her quiet all this time
She was never really mine
But she was almost mine
(Bridge)
Now I drive past that empty diner door
Hear her laugh in the desert wind once more
A ghost of a love that never grew
But part of me still waits for her in Booth 2
(Final Chorus)
She was almost mine in the Tucson haze
In monsoon skies and café days
In every song on the radio dial
In the way she lingered just for a while
She’s gone now, but in my mind
She still walks that 4th Ave line
Yeah, I loved her quiet all this time
She was never really mine
But she was almost mine
