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Adam nods intensely, chews his toast, and then says, ¨His ex-girlfriend from a long time ago.¨
Interesting. Was it before or after his mom? I shouldn’t ask even though my heart rate picks up as if I need to know. My third eye throbs, and I place my knuckle to calm it. I’m glad I’ve showered already; I even put a bit of makeup on my face. In addition, I’m wearing my Lululemon pants, which I hardly feel comfortable wearing in California because of its heat. Here, in Missouri, it is fitting, and the fact that they fit my bottom half like a glove gives me the confidence I need.
I wonder if I were to walk into the cafe if I’ll send whoever Isabella is, brewing with questions. Who knows? She probably knows I’m here. If I act like last night was more than our bodies needing some fun, this will inevitably end regretfully. Time to suck it up, and who cares what a random stranger will think. Right? Isn’t that what Joaquin was preaching to me last night? Plus, I want to see if I truly stand out in this small town.
¨ I’ll be back.¨ I say to Adam, who is now channel surfing.
I slide the pocket door open and step into the cafe.
Joaquin is behind the counter with his back turned. He just pressed the pulse button on a blender, so he may not have heard the pocket door open. His back’s solid physique looks even sexier knowing what it looks like underneath. He’s wearing a maroon jogging set.
A blonde woman is sitting in the corner, staring at his back. Her hair is long and damp as it rests on her blue wet plastic poncho. She turns her head to face me. Her blue eyes are almond-shaped, and her mouth has a similar roundness to mine, but her upper lip hovers over the bottom one. She’s actually very pretty, and she gives me a mysterious look as if Joaquin spilled all the beans. I wonder if he did.
¨Hi!¨ She stands up, revealing her height. She’s got to be over five eight, and if anyone was peering in from above would assume she was the California butterfly and not me.
¨Hi, I’m Nadia.¨
¨Isabella!¨
She extends her hand, and I walk closer to her. We both try to outdo the other with our firm grips, but mine is stronger.
Joaquin turns off the blender and twirls around. The look he gives me is priceless. That sly smile holds a bit of steam this morning as if he remembers how his fingers felt deep inside me. I quiver.
¨Good morning. Did you sleep well?¨
¨You are one lucky girl!¨ Isabella exclaims.
Why is she saying this?
¨I am?¨
¨Caught in that godforsaken storm and lode and behold you stumble across the side of the road abode? Like, come on! Joaquin has a way of flocking good-looking women to him without even trying. So, you’re from California?¨
Her icy blue eyes squint at me while Joaquin walks around the counter to deliver her drink. It’s slippery and almost slides out her hand, but Joaquin catches it like the gentleman he is.
It dawns on me. How did she get here?
¨Yes, I’m from Los Angeles. In town for a few months to stay with my grandmother.¨
¨ That’s sweet.¨
I wonder how old this woman is as I notice a few crow’s feet on each side of her eyes. She’s clearly closer to Joaquin’s age than I am.
¨Are the roads clear or —¨
¨No, I came from the trail. I don’t live too far from the school. I only had five logs to cross, but I woke up thinking about Joaquin’s cafe. Didn’t want his business to suffer too much, so I figured, why not buy a couple of bags of coffee beans and a smoothie to go.¨
¨ That’s very thoughtful of you.¨ I take a seat beside her.
¨I hear you’re a reporter.¨ Isabella appears impressed.
Joaquin heads to the brass coffee roaster in the corner to bag a few bags for his Ex. He has no idea that Adam told me who she is. I wonder what’s racing through his mind. Maybe it’s just last night because, again, he gives me seductive eyes.
¨Yes, I am.¨
¨Goodness, how old are you? You look like you stepped right out of high school.¨ She skims me up and down and laughs.
¨ Twenty-eight.¨
