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"Does this have anything to do with her being a Zeta?"
"Why would that matter?"
It shouldn't. It doesn't. But my question has him shifting in his seat uncomfortably as she approaches.
"Hey, Evie. Brady. What are you two doing here?"
"We have a standing coffee date on Friday mornings." Her face falls briefly before she forces a smile. "Would you like to join us?"
The cafe is slower than normal today. There are plenty of available tables.
"Uh, sure."
Taking the seat directly across from Brady, she sips her coffee in silence for a few beats before engaging me in conversation, asking about Leo. Apologizing for causing any trouble at Thanksgiving. What I really notice is the way she avoids looking directly at Brady but also sneaks glances at him any time she can.
He remains stoic next to me, never interrupting our conversation. His posture is stiff, and his eyes focused on the fireplace just over Mya's shoulder.
"Are you heading home for the holidays?" My question seems to catch her off guard.
"This is home for me. My parents live about three blocks from here. I actually went to school with Julian."
"That explains how you knew about this place."
"They have the best coffee in town. I've been coming here since high school. I used to drive out of my way just to stop in the mornings."
"How did you find this place?" My question is directed at Brady, but he doesn't respond. When he finally looks in my direction, he blinks twice, as if attempting to register my words. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Just remembered I need to do something before I head home." He's out of his chair and headed for the door before I can reply.
I'm about to apologize to Mya for his abrupt departure when I notice Brady glance back toward our table. He shares a brief moment with Mya, something unspoken passing between them, and then she's buttoning her jacket and excusing herself as well.
I'm left speechless, staring after the two of them. Brady walks past the front window, Mya hot on his heel’s seconds later. My gut says to run after them, but the sudden shock to my system has me rooted in place.
An incoming text startles me.
LEO: Just made it home. Roads are kind of crappy. You might want to wait until tomorrow to head home. My mom said the lake shore is going to be worse.
I read his text three times before responding, ignoring everything he said.
ME: I think Brady has a thing for Mya.
LEO: Okay. That's cool. Are you going to wait until tomorrow to leave so I don't have to worry about you?
ME: Sure. I'll let my mom know.
ME: I think we need to set them up.
LEO: Thank you, and no thanks. I don't want to get involved in anyone else's relationship.
ME: But Brady helped us. We owe it to him.
LEO: He's a grown-ass man. If he likes her, he can ask her out himself. Why do you think this anyway?
I could write paragraphs about the tension I felt swirling around the table. About the coincidence of her being here. Give him the play-by-play of what went down, but I settle for the condensed version.
ME: We were having coffee. She walked in, sat with us for a few minutes. He ran away, and she followed. There was a look.
LEO: And...
