Sounds perfect.
The Kitty-Corner Cafe is bustling when Dad and I walk in. The place is great, overflowing with charm. Juliana Fair stands behind the counter, looking all kinds of beautiful. Yes, as much as she can annoy me, I still think she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, which probably only serves to annoy me further. Long blonde hair, vivid green eyes, and pink lips, all a deceptive disguise for the venom this girl can spew.
At least when it comes to me.
There have been times over the course of our twenty-one-year history—we met when I was seven and she was five—when we’ve had a peace treaty between the two of us. The first day was such an example. I saved the day by salvaging the cookies that had fallen, and she looked at me like I was her knight in shining armor.
It all went downhill from there.
Today, she shoots me a withering glare and says, “I thought I wouldn’t have to see you for a few more hours.”
To which I say, “Today is your lucky day.”
She rolls her eyes and continues helping Sandy, one of the locals, who looks back at my dad with interest.
“Everett, how are you?” she says. “How is that hotdish I sent over this week?”
My dad swallows hard and makes a point of not looking at me because he knows if he does, it’s over. We won’t be able to keep a straight face.
“Thanks again for that hotdish, Sandy. So thoughtful of you.”
That hotdish is fucking awful. It’s hard to make Tater Tot hotdish taste bad, but Sandy succeeds every time.
She beams at Dad, and I quietly chuckle next to him. My dad, ever the diplomat. When it’s our turn at the counter, Juju gives Dad her warmest smile. That’s the thing about her. I know she’s capable of being kind, friendly, and even sweet, but with me, ninety percent of the time, she pulls out the rotten.
We won’t think about the other ten percent.
I think she enjoys keeping me on a never-ending roller coaster.
“You’re looking great this morning, Everett,” she says. “What can I get for you?”
“And you’re looking lovely this morning, Miss Juliana,” he says. “I woke up thinking about your scones. And I’ll have your light roast as well.”
“Coming right up,” she says.
“Uh, I didn’t order yet,” I say when she walks off to get my dad’s order ready.
“Haven’t you asked enough of me today?” she snaps.
I shake my head. “Really, Juju? Are we really gonna do this?”
She slams the plate down, and the scone almost falls off as she moves to pour my dad a cup of coffee.
“Sorry about that, Everett,” she says.
“It’s okay.” He waves it off and grins, and she turns her attention to me.
“I don’t know, Camden. I’m surprised you want any of my baked goods for your perfect restaurant, when it wasn’t that long ago that you said Caribou’s coffee is better.”
I groan. “This again? Your specialty is baked goods. You don’t have to have coffee down too.”
She slides the coffee toward my dad and crosses her arms as she stares at me.
“My coffee is freaking delicious,” she says, “and you know it.”
“Well, I would prefer to deal with your bear claws, since that’s all you seem to show me anyway.”
She sputters, and I think maybe she growls too. I grin. I’d forgotten how fun she is to turn sideways.
