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“But it’s so fun. He used to get so flustered,” she says, a devilish glint in her eyes. “It was hilarious. And now it’s like I don’t know how to talk to him any different.”

“Maybe you should date him,” I smile to myself as I gaze down at my menu.

“Ew, shut up.” She lightly punches me in the arm. “Mike is so not my type.”

“What is your type?”

“Someone wild and full of fire. Like an untamed bull. The body of a professional athlete, but he’s smart and can banter with me. Someone who’d do me in the storage room over there.” She sighs dramatically.

“Kora.” I laugh and look around to make sure nobody heard her. “You need to chill. Or maybe get laid? And what makes you think he can’t be what you just described?”

I don’t actually think Kora and Mike would be a good fit, but it’s fun to tease her. I know they went to school together, and that they’re buddies now. But mostly I want to distract her so she doesn’t bring up Hayden again.

“Mike? Yeah, right. He seems like the type of guy who’d be in a bowling league or something,” she says, disdain in her voice.

“Now that’s hot and dirty.” It’s my turn to fan myself.

“The only thing dirty about it is the actually bowling alley and anything in it.”

“You’re not wrong,” I say, peeking at Mike, who’s at the other end of the bar pouring someone’s drink. “He is kind of hot though.”

“No, he isn’t.”

I raise my eyebrows and give her a disbelieving look.

“Fine. He’s objectively attractive. But it’s easy if you’re a tall man with dark hair and tan skin. Anyone over six feet with a full head of hair is basically attractive.”

“I don’t know about that.” I don’t get the chance to say anything else because Mike is already on his way back to us.

“You ladies ready?”

“Oh yes, me fair lady thinks she shall haveth the house burger,” Kora says with a terrible British accent.

Mike sighs and looks over at me, choosing to ignore her.

“I’ll have the same,” I say, biting my lip to suppress a grin.

He just nods and marches toward the kitchen to convey our order to the cooks.

“You’re a menace,” I say to Kora, shaking my head.

“What?” She blinks innocently. “He called us ladies, so I spoke like one.”

“One day he’ll kick us out of here,” I say and thank the second bartender who drops off two glasses of water in front of us.

“Oh, please. He loves it. I’m making his boring shift more interesting.”

We spend the next few minutes catching up on Darlene’s funeral plans and Kora’s upcoming visit from her cousins. Kora has a big extended family, and although she gets along well with her immediate family, there always seems to be some tension with her cousins.

After a few minutes, Mike comes back with our food, each plate loaded with a massive burger and a side of crispy French fries. My mouth waters, and I realize I didn’t eat much today. I spent most of my day looking at apartments again.

“For the fine ladies,” Mike says dryly. “Anything else for you?”

“Actually,” I say, picking up a ketchup bottle and squirting a good amount on my plate, “I want to talk to you about Darlene’s funeral. I know you’re busy right now, but maybe you have a moment later?”

“Sure. I’m going on a break in a little bit. I’ll come talk to you then.”

“Thank you,” I say, relieved I’m checking something off my to-do list today.