Please let him be an Americano kind of guy.Straight in, straight out.
He’s not.
As soon as he steps up to the counter, Sarah looks up from the register and beams.
I remember smiling like that once.These days, I’m learning to fold my feelings neatly away, keeping them safe until I can let loose on my best friend.For a city stuffed with people like they’re packing peanuts, Chance doesn’t handle vulnerability well.
Can you tell I’ve heard the wordnaivea lot since moving here?
“Lucky, hey!This is early for you.”Sarah’s ponytail bounces as she leans across the counter to kiss him on the cheek.
His name is Lucky?School kids must have been ruthless.
“Couldn’t sleep, or you haven’t gone to bed yet?”
“You know I don’t kiss and tell,” he says with a smooth, accented voice.
My chances of ordering soon fade away like a beautiful dream.So close and yet so far.Jeez.I never used to be impatient.Ask anyone.The only person I know who is more patient than me is my older brother, Louis, and he’s so gentle that we’re not entirely sure he’s not adopted.
Two years in Chance really changes a person.
“This is the first time I’ve seen you before lunchtime, so … I’m going to guess whoever’s name you forgot last night kicked you out.”
“All right, go easy.”He laughs.“Honestly, I woke up early and saw what a beautiful day it was.Thought I’d explore the city a bit.I do exist outside of midnight, you know.”He’s British, but there’s something else there, something bouncy and lyrical.
Birmingham maybe?I’m not sure.
As he leans against the counter, I take in the rest of him.Easily six feet, with a trim waist and wired with enough muscle that he could probably push a tractor out of a ditch with his bare hands.The silver around his neck and wrists is thick and flashy, so whatever he does, he does it well.
“Only you would see rain and think it’s a beautiful day,” Sarah jokes.
There isn’t another decent coffee place near the office unless I walk two blocks in the wrong direction.Sure, we have a machine in the break room, but that coffee tastes of old socks and recycled rubber.I like the coffee here.It’ll be super inconvenient if I blow up at this guy for taking too long and get banned from coming back.
“Well, whatever the reason, I’m jealous,” Sarah adds.“These exams are destroying my life.It’ll be a miracle if I see the outside before next year.”
Lucky is in no rush, tapping along with the music and still not ordering anything.Did he simply come by to flirt?
“You work too hard,” he says.
My gaze catches on his back as his muscles flex.Someone isn’t skipping the gym.
“A break isn’t going to kill you, you know.”
Something about him scratches like a bad tag under my shirt.I know his type.
Everything from the too-tight-to-be-an-accident knitwear to the I-bet-you-want-me attitude.He expects life to go his way.Everything falls into place for him, no effort required.
He’d probably tell me I’m chasing a fantasy by staying in Chance and ask why I am so hell-bent on becoming a reporter anyway.
Okay, that last one is only Huey.
He always left the heavy lifting to me.I chose to move here.I picked the takeout.I made plans and had to remind him about them.To him, I was a walking day planner/GPS/assistant.
He never made a single decision in our entire relationship.Well, he finally made one, and it was a doozy.
Lucky and Sarah are still talking.
“Easy for you to say.When was the last time you worked full-time?”
