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“I’m not describing his dick to you. And I donotwant to inhale his shirt,” I lie.
“Oh shit. So it’s big then,” her eyes widen to the size of the moon and she hugs her pillow like she needs the support to process this conversation. “Blink twice if it’s big!”
“Don’t be silly,” I roll my eyes. Then I blink twice.
She leaps off the bed in a fit of giggles and I throw even more pillows at her.
“And how many emails have you looked at already this morning?”
“None.”
She claps her hands and squeals. “That’s what I like to hear! This is amazing. I’m so Team Gage. He’s good for you.”
“Good for me? You hardly know him,” I laugh. “How could you know he’s good for me?”
“Oh, I don’t know. So far, he’s successfully kept you from working yourself into an early grave while you’re here. He has a big dick. You’re glowing. Take your pick.”
“I am not glowing.” I touch my hands to my cheeks. They do feel warm. “And that’s the most cliché thing I’ve ever heard.”
“It’s not cliché if it’s true!” She yells as she bounds down the stairs. “Come on, I’m starving!”
I was expecting to see nothing more than beers and steaks in the fridge. That expectation was dead on. “Anything in the pantry?” I ask from my spot in front of the open refrigerator door.
“Yes.” She walks toward the island and drops a pile of stuffed Ziploc bags with scribbled labels on them. “Homemade jerky. A lot of it.”
“Not the most appetizing breakfast,” I scrunch my face up. “Get dressed. We’re going to Sofia’s.”
The smell of green chili breakfast burritos and black coffee comes wafting out onto the patio before we even step foot in the café. I used to dream about the food here when I first moved away. I like bagels, pastries, and muffins as much as the next girl. But there’s just something about Sofia’s foil-wrapped burritos that makes my eyes close and head roll back.
It’s busy in here, practically busting at the seams with customers. The vintage mismatched chairs and little nooks for reading or chatting are just the same as I remember them. It’s a comfort being in spaces that remind you of a simpler time in your life.
“Please tell me the food is as good as it smells,” Kee says.
“It’s better.” I smile and make our way closer to the counter.
For a second, I consider ordering something for Gage just so I could deliver it to him. I shoot that thought down real quick. He’s not my boyfriend, and I sure as hell don’t need to be bringing him food just to ogle him. No matter how hot he is.
“49!” a server calls from behind the counter. A middle-aged man in a Carhartt coat shuffles through the crowd to retrieve his order.
Though everything here is familiar to me, it seems a lot more hectic than I remember. Sure, it’s always been crawling with locals in the mornings. But it’s chaotic and overflowing in here right now.
“Next!” Sofia yells from the register.
“Got any chorizo left?” I ask.
Her head snaps up from her notepad and she grins so big that it makes her eyes disappear. “I was hoping you’d be here, what a treat! Oh!” Tears pool in her eyes and she reaches across the counter for a hug.
“Sofia, this is my friend Keanna.” I hold my hand out in Kee’s direction to introduce them.
“I love your charming café! Can’t wait to try the food,” Kee says as Sofia brings her in for a hug.
“This is just wonderful. I’m so happy you could make it for the closing,” Sofia says.
“Sorry.” I shake my head. “The what?”
“Today. The closing party.” She gestures to the crowd behind us.
Closing? I can’t imagine this place not existing anymore. It’s been so long since I’ve been here, but the memories feel just as fresh as if I’d been stopping in for a coffee every day for the last decade.
