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Isaac jumps up from the couch, takes my hand, and pulls me up as well. “We’re going to find your dream.”
THREE
IT’S COLD AS FUCK OUTSIDE
I’m really in no position to help someone plan their life, right?
I mean, I’m trying to be better. For myself, for my family, for my daughter. Because a little over a year ago, the possibility of becoming a father changed my outlook on life. I got my shit together, got my HVAC certificate, and kept moving forward. No steps back for me.
But if we don’t find Phoebe’s shoes, we can’t go anywhere. And now that we have a mission, I’m eager to help Phoebe find her dream. It’s a nice distraction from my own life right now.
“You can’t just wear Ava’s shoes?” I suggest, averting my eyes from Phoebe’s ass, which is stuck up in the air as she peers under the bed in the spare bedroom.
“Ava’s feet are like, half the size of mine. There’s no way that would work.”
“And there’s none that your friend left?”
“No. Amber may have left clothes and her birth certificate, but she took all her shoes.”
“Who forgets their birth certificate?”
“Trust me, it’s an extremely Amber thing to forget.” Phoebe emerges finally, her hair no longer sleek and smooth after practically disappearing under the bed. She waves her shoes triumphantly. “I must have quite the kick when I’m drunk.” She sidles by me, hopping on one foot and then the other to put her shoes on.
“Unless you drove here before you got drunk, we’re going to be moving around on foot.” I pull on my coat and zip it up before slipping on gloves.
Phoebe stares at me as if trying to decide if I’m joking, then says, “I suppose we’re on foot, then. Let’s hope my dream is close, because it’s cold as fuck outside. We may have to grab coffee first.”
She bundles up as well, and we’re off, heading down the steps after Phoebe insists we don’t take the elevator. “It’s the slowest damn elevator in the world. I promise, it’s not worth the wait.”
“Most things aren’t,” I joke as we step into the chilly air, the cold biting at my face.
“You really think that?” We fall into step, heading down the sidewalk. We didn’t discuss where we were heading, but judging by Phoebe quickly agreeing to go with me rather than continuing her seductive tone, I get the gist that she didn’t consider it a good idea either.
“Wait. What?”
“You think most things aren’t worth the wait?”
“I mean…” I tuck my hands into my coat pockets. My gloves are warm, but not enough to fight off the chill. “I’ve been disappointed a lot in life, Phoebe. Mostly by my own doing, but still.”
“Most of your life?” She laughs. “How old are you?”
We turn the corner, and I’m momentarily distracted from her question by the enticing aroma of brewing coffee.
“I’m twenty-seven. Have you been here before?”
Tucked in between a shoe store and one of those cash-for-gold places is a little coffee shop. The lettering is old and a bit rusty, but the name is legible.
Second Chance Café.
“You sound like an old man,” she jokes. “And yes, my aunt and uncle own the place. Let’s duck in here and grab some coffee.”
I open the door for her, then follow her into the warmth. “I know I’m still young, but—”
“Being young doesn’t invalidate your experiences.”
Normally, I hate when someone interrupts me, but for some reason, it doesn’t bug me this time.
“I was just teasing anyway,” she says. “Sorry if that bothered you. I know I can sound a little harsh.” Phoebe leads the way to the counter, where we find an old man waiting for us with a bright smile.
