“Ooh, and you’re bringing him our local delicacy,” the clerk laughed as she poured hot milk into three cups. “Where does he live?”
“Oh, he lives here, but I thought this would be a nice way to start the visit,” Sophie laughed nervously.
“Any visit that starts with hot chocolate and donuts is bound to be a good one!” the girl chuckled. The bells jingled above the door again and she turned her bright smile toward it.
“Good morning, Georgia.”
“Hi, Mr. Minegold. One minute and I’ll get your usual.”
Minegold? Jesse’s hero with fangs, Minegold?Sophie whirled so fast that she sent her wallet skidding across the counter like a skater on a frozen pond. “Oops.”
“Here, let me—” An immaculately dressed man with hair graying at the temples bent to retrieve her wallet as it hit the ground. He stopped mid-bend, eyes widening at the sight of her.
Like Jesse. Like me.Mr. Minegold was talcum white with dark eyes and somewhat narrow, definitely proud, elegant features. She’d pictured him as elderly, but he couldn’t have been more than forty. Well, at least to the outside world. “Th-thank you.” She accepted the wallet from his outstretched hand.Thank you so much. Oh my gosh, I’ve never met this man, but without him, there would be no Jesse.Her heart zoomed into double-time.
“You’re welcome. Are you... from out of town? Visiting?” Mr. Minegold’s features were handsome, but they were now flat, his cheery smile gone. His head tilted as though listening. Whatever he heard made his eyes widen.
Sophie nodded, fumbling to get out her money as a cardboard carrier with three steaming travel cups was set next to her box of donuts. “I’m here to visit my boyfriend. He lives in Ridge View.” It was a weird gamble to take, but she found her lips were still moving. “His name is Jesse Smith.”
Mr. Minegold’s face transformed, cool austere lines suddenly warming into a surprised smile. “You are Jesse’s Sophie? I— I’ve known Jesse since he was a young man. That is, as a boy in school. Grammar school. I saw him on Christmas Eve and how he was talking about you!” Both hands shot out, clasping hers and pumping them enthusiastically. “Georgia, this is Jesse’s girlfriend, Sophie.”
“Oh! You’re Jesse’s girlfriend! That explains the donuts!”
Sophie nodded, smiling, unable to keep up with sudden happy chatter. It was only two voices, but that was two more than she was used to. The idea of being known by strangers was mildly off-putting, but being instantly “beloved” by strangers was completely foreign to her. “It’s nice to meet you. He talks about you a lot, too. All about you and how you helped him in school.” Sophie hoped her eyes would convey more than the surface meaning.
“How kind. It was my privilege. He is indeed a fine young man. Very special.” his voice dropped as Georgia fetched Sophie’s change. “Jesse is like a son to me.” Dark eyes darkened further. “He trusts you.”
Sophie felt fear surge in her chest, but it was quickly replaced by anger. She understood love, and she understood the threat that went unsaid. Don’t hurt him, don’t betray his trust. The thought of anyone, even her, hurting Jesse, set off something fierce and protective deep in the pit of her heart. “I won’t. Iwouldn’tdo that to him,” she said quietly, eyes shying away. Anger was one thing. Confrontation was another.
He released her hand swiftly, stepping back.
Shit. Sophie quickly stuffed her hands in her pockets, hiding the soft red glow that hovered at her fingertips. The lighting in the Pine Loft was mellow and golden. Maybe he hadn’t noticed.
“And one and twenty-five, thirty, thirty-two, that’s your change.” Georgia counted a dollar and some coins on top of the counter. “Tell Jesse and Mrs. Smith I said hi!”
“Yes. Tell them I said hello, too.” Mr. Minegold followed Sophie to the front door, keeping under the dark green awning as they stepped outside into an overcast mid-morning. “I see you’re special, like us.” He inclined his head in a formal nod before stepping back inside.
But I’mnotlike you.The protest remained inside, followed by a question.
So what am I?
THE SMITH HOUSE BLENDEDin, situated right before a cul-de-sac in a nest of nearly identical colonials mixed with what had passed for “modern'' in the eighties. She parked her car behind his, stepping out and taking in the view.
It was nothing like Philly, nothing like Antonia, the only two places she’d ever lived. This was the suburbs. A big park, currently snow-covered, gave birth to acres of trees, but beyond them, she could see the flat roof of a multi-story red brick building. The high school, she realized.
“You’re here! You said you would text me!” Jesse came running out of the garage in a t-shirt and jeans, arms open.
“I had my hands full!” Sophie laughed and prevented him from swooping her up in his arms by thrusting the hot cocoa at him. “I come bearing gifts. Well, I come bearing mid-morning goodies, anyway.”
“You’re the gift. And my goody. Good enough to eat,” he whispered against her neck.
Sudden thoughts of Jesse placing a line of donuts from her throat to her pussy and working his way down made her thighs clench.
“Hm? Ooh, what was that thought?” Jesse demanded.
“What thought? What do you mean?” Sophie blushed.
Jesse tapped his nose. “Some scents I love. I won’t forgetthisone,” his hand squeezed her waist and moved to lightly brush the center of her jeans. “It’s one of my favorites.”
