CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
For a comic book store Cosmo’s Comics and Café is a well-lit open space. It’s a thin narrow building, longer than it is wide, but the large shop window and glass front door make one entire end open to the early Sunday morning sunlight. It smells like coffee and paper, and who doesn’t love those smells?
When Aspen first suggested our new location, I was hesitant. My appreciation for Cosmo’s has grown since then to a point I enjoy our Sunday brunch dates here.
Well every week except this one. Today dragging myself to Cosmo’s feels like a walk into my own execution. Aspen will drill me on Ryland and what’s going on in England. I haven’t talked to Ryland since he boarded a plane for London yesterday morning. After the eight-hour flight and time change, I’m not even sure where he is. Late last night he sent me a text with a simple “I love you. Sleep well.” and nothing more.
It takes a deep breath, but I gather the courage to open the door. Cosmo’s is gloomier today, not all the overhead lights turned on yet. Hesitant steps get me from the front door, past the aroma of fresh coffee as Simone waves from the café counter, and to the orange sofas we take over every Sunday morning.
Aspen’s eyes widen when she sees me and her mouth opens, but I beat her to the questions she’s going to ask. “No, I haven't heard from Ryland today. I have no idea how it’s going and no news to share.” Her face falls. My friends are as nervous as I am. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay, babe, I’m excited to know where you’ll end up. Finn and I will plan a vacation.” Aspen throws her thick winter coat to the end of the couch on the opposite side of the table so I sit with her. It’s in the sixties today, but Aspen’s still walking around in jeans and a thick dark green fisherman’s sweater.
Simone, dressed like a normal person in jeans and a long sleeve shirt, walks over with two large blue mugs of steaming liquid, passing one on to me. A similar style mug, but in purple — and with hot chocolate since Aspen doesn’t drink coffee —— is passed to her from Jason, the store owner.
“Where’s Amanda?” The most punctual member of our small group is nowhere to be found.
“She’s running late today without an explanation, but it involves a boy,” Aspen answers.
Simone leans forward in anticipation. “A boy? How do you know?”
“Woman’s intuition,” Aspen says full of confidence. My best friend’s now apparently a psychic. “And don’t freak out, Marissa, but she’s bringing bagels. A new chain she’s giddy about.”
“It was one small freak out.” I brush over my episode from that week. “I’m over it now and bagels are fine as long as she brings cream cheese.” I sip at my coffee, but it’s too hot for my tongue. “I invited Clare, but she turned me down. I can' figure out why, but if it’s Grant he should run the next time he sees me.”
“Yes, it’s probably Grant. We shouldn’t push her.” Simone jumps in too quick and innocent like for nine thirty in the morning.
Aspen and I both turn to her in suspicion, but I ask the question first. “What did you do, Simone?”
“Oh my God. You didn’t marry Trey and have Clare as your only bridesmaid and now you’re scared she’ll tell your secret did you?” Aspen sucks in a breath once she finishes the run on sentence.
“What?” Simone stares off at the corner of the room.
“Show me your ring finger!” Aspen reaches to the other couch pulling on Simone’s empty hand.
I place a hand on her shoulder. “Aspen, calm down. No one has gotten married.” I don’t mention my thought that if it were true, Simone's smart. She’d remember to take off the ring before she walked in the hornet’s nest. I’m quite sure it's not a concern. Hopefully.
“You ran off and got married.” She points an angry finger at me. “It’s a legitimate concern at this point!” Aspen continues on with her rant and stands.
With both hands held up, Simone shows off two empty ring fingers. “I’m not married, Aspen.”
“Oh, okay.” She sits again. “Then why is Clare scared of us. We threw her a kick ass party and raised a ton of money for the center."
“Itiskind of rude.” Rant aside, as much as I like Clare, I agree with Aspen on this one.
“Right? We’re best friend material. Who wouldn’t want us as friends?” Aspen asks no one in particular.
“She’s not rude. She’s embarrassed,” Simone calls out.
If she’s embarrassed over Grant, I’m going to find him and make him pay. “Why?”
Simone’s cheeks turn a deep shade of red. “Shemayhave walked in on Trey and me at the party.”
“Oh, Simone.” If Aspen was southern her words would have been followed up with a bless your heart. “I assume you weren't kissing.”
Simone shakes her head, her lips pressed together.
“We know what they were doing. The important question is where.”
