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I took a second to appreciate it, then squashed it.
No fantasizing about your boss, Macy.
In desperate need of coffee, I reached for my favorite mug. It was rainbow colored, with words on the side that saidFirst Coffee, then the Adventures. It had been a gift from my mom. When I found the spot where I kept it empty, I frowned.
Weird. Wrinkling my nose, I scanned the countertop. I always kept it right there by the coffee machine. It was a superstitious little ritual of mine.
It wasn’t in the sink either.What the hell?I lived alone. No one could’ve moved it.
Turning, I spotted it on the table. With the handle broken off.
A chill ran down my spine.
Had I put it there and forgotten? I didn’t remember breaking it. Had I sleepwalked?
The toaster dinged and my bagel popped up.
Fighting off my disquiet, I spread cream cheese on the bagel, and found another mug. I hated this feeling. Nervous and unsettled, second-guessing myself. I hadn’t felt it too much since I’d left California and settled in New Orleans.
Shaking my head, I took a bite of bagel and poured my coffee into the other mug. I added lots of vanilla syrup and creamer.
I needed to get moving. I’d solve my mug mystery later.
Heading outside, I looked up and then unlocked my bike from the side of the house. I smiled. It was something else that gave me pure joy. The bike was bright turquoise, with a woven basket on the front.
I swung my leg over the seat. Today I was wearing capri pants in dark blue, and a bright-yellow-and-white shirt. Setting off down the street, I lifted my face to the sunshine. I spotted Mrs. Lawrence at the end of the street, watering her flowers.
“Hi, Mrs. L.”
The old lady smiled and waved.
I decided I needed to butter Colt up for the paperwork—or rather, sugar him up. The man had a secret weakness for the blueberry muffins from Uptown Coffee. I turned left. I’d make a quick stop there first.
The traffic thickened. Gripping my handlebars, I focused on staying where I needed to be. When I reached the coffee shop, I chained my bike up and headed inside.
The place has a warm wood floor, dotted with tables, and a long counter. The counter was dominated by a huge coffee machine, and a glass cabinet filled with baked goods.
“Morning, Macy.” The young, goth woman working behind the counter nodded at me. She wore a shirt with a skull-and-flower design on it, and had a white apron tied around her waist.
“Hi, Raven. Cool shirt. Can I get six blueberry muffins, please?”
“I’ll get them.” Dean appeared. He was another regular worker at the coffee shop.
I smiled at him. “Thanks, Dean.”
The young man smiled back. He was a few years younger than me, quiet, but always nice.
“Are these for you?” he asked.
“No. A bribe for my boss. Super-grump extraordinaire.”
“Sounds bad,” Raven said.
“Oh, no. He’s mostly all bark, and he’s a great dad. You should see him with his little girl.”
“So he’s married?” Dean asked casually, holding out the bag to me.
“Nope. Single dad.” I handed over the cash and took the bag. “I’d better get going. Have a great day.”
