Page 19 of Paper Horses

“Afternoon, Hudson,” the woman from the counter said, standing over us.

She was pretty, with big blue eyes and dimples on her cheeks. Cute. Something I’d never been.

“Afternoon, Jessie.”

My mouth went dry.

“The usual?”

“You know it.”

She turned to me, and I held my head high. I would not let this woman make me feel inferior. My father was the only one who ever had that satisfaction, much to my irritation.

“And you’ve got company today.”

“Unfortunately,” he grumbled, and I kicked his shin.

He narrowed his eyes as I said, “Olivia Icinda, since his manners are as uncouth as his attitude.”

His glare could have cut ice, but I ignored it, waiting for her reaction, expecting her smile to turn into a nasty curl of her lips and her eyes to stop sparkling. But they didn’t. She looked between us, her smile growing.

“Oh, Hudson. You told me she was beautiful, but I didn’t imagine she was this gorgeous.”

My mouth dropped, and I slammed it shut as Hudson grumbled something incoherent, averting my eyes.

“You’re a hard act to follow,” she said with a chuckle that was too spirited.

Hudson’s features contorted so that he looked like he was about to explode.

“She’ll take the same as me,” he snapped.

“All right. I know that tone and will see myself out. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Olivia. I’ll be back with two coffees in a jiff.” Her smile never faded, the bounce in her step still as spirited as when she’d walked over to us. I stared at her back, miffed at the woman. I’d expected daggers and nasty looks, jealousy at least, but she acted like it was a good thing I was sitting here with her ex. My ex. The thought jolted me back to the grump sitting across from me.

“What did you just order for me?” I asked, sitting back and crossing my arms.

“Fried eggs, sausage, and toast with a side of hash browns.”

“No.”

His eyes lifted to mine.

“I don’t eat like that.” The thought turned my stomach. I couldn’t fathom how many hours it would take to work that off. Or what it would do to my arteries.

He peered around my side, sizing me up. “You look like you don’t eat at all.”

I sucked my lip in. “Bring her back and order me a yogurt with a shot of flax seeds. Is there a coffee shop around where I can get a latte?”

Another snort turned into a belly laugh. I stared at him, indignation searing me.

“I suppose you want some expensive water in a glass bottle to go with it?”

“Well, yes.”

“Good God, what happened to you?”

My head went back at the accusation in his tone.

“I don’t have to take this,” I said, rising and reaching over to grab my coat.