Page 54 of Burning Obsession

“Yeah, she’s just freaking out.”

“Well, you’ll be there soon to keep her calm. She just needs her brother.”

“Yeah.” We’ve taken a few steps toward Fifi’s when he starts looking around with a puzzled look on his face. “What are we doing here?”

"Getting coffee, silly. Did you forget? Does Nellie have you that out of sorts?"

"But we're going the wrong way. Our coffee place is a few blocks over. We can walk there. I’m okay with a little exercise.” He starts to turn around but I stop him.

I laugh. "No, we're heading to my favorite place. It's just a couple doors down. Fifi’s has the best coffee around and I want to introduce you to it." I start to walk, but he doesn’t budge so I pull on his hand. “Come on.” But he stays planted firmly in place.

"But I like our place. It’s where we first talked, and what started our relationship. I want to go there.”

I bite my lip, not understanding why he’s so insistent on not having coffee at Fifi’s. I’m not sure what the issue is, but if he wants to go to our place, as he calls it, then well, that’s okay with me.

“Okay, I’m okay with walking. But are you sure? Fifi’s coffee is so much better.”

He hesitates. “Yeah, I’m sure. What can I say, I like what I know.” He tries to brush it off, but something doesn’t feel right. He’s acting weird.

"Okay," I finally say, giving in. "We’ll go there."

We turn around and head in the opposite direction. We’ve barely made it a few steps before I hear someone calling my name.

"Jake! Jake!" she screams. “Where are you going?”

I stop, tugging on Victor’s hand, who suddenly tenses up, and turn around. Fifi’s standing there, a huge smile on her face.

"Hey," I say. “How are you?”

“I’m good. You’re not coming inside? And who is your friend?”

I don't want to lie to her. But I don’t exactly want to tell her the truth. ‘Sorry, but we’re going somewhere else to get coffee’. I’m sure she wouldn’t be upset, but I still don’t want to hurt her feelings.

“No, we have somewhere to be. This is Victor, my boyfriend.” I take hold of his arm, pulling him around so he can face her. I’m not sure why he’s being so weird today. Maybe leaving is affecting him as well.

When I glance back over at Fifi, her eyes are wide as she looks between the two of us. "Oh my God. It's about fucking time!"

I blink, confused at her reaction. Am I living in my very own version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers? Fifi and Victor are both acting weird.

"What? About time for what?”

She’s practically giddy with excitement as she rushes toward us, taking a second to hug us both.

“I’m so happy! See? I told you he'd fall for you," she tells Victor, grinning widely. "I'm so glad you finally told him.”

My smile disappears, and I focus my attention on Victor. All the happiness I had prior to seeing Fifi evaporates and all I feel is cold inside.

“What is Fifi talking about, Victor?”

Pure fear flashes across his face. His skin is so pale he looks like he’s seen a ghost.

“Jake,” he stammers.

"What the hell is going on?” I ask him again, then turn to Fifi. “What are you talking about? How do you know Victor?”

Fifi looks between me and Victor, pure panic on her face. “Umm, I think I’m going to go and let the two of you handle this privately. I’m really happy for the both of you." She pauses, apparently deciding whether she should say anything else. "Just... have an open mind, Jake." She doesn’t even give me time to answer before she’s rushing back down the sidewalk to her shop.

"Told me what?" I ask Victor again. My heart’s pounding because I have a sinking feeling in my gut I’m not going to like what he has to say.