I shouldn’t like it. I definitely shouldn’t want more and more of it.
But fuck, I do.
I head to Perks and Rec with an extra bounce in my step this morning.
I know better what to expect now as I brush aside the curtain that separates my staircase from the coffee shop.
I am pleasantly surprised by the multitude of “good morning, Alex!” greetings I receive, and I give everyone my best celebrity hockey player grin and say, “good morning, everyone.”
Lawson is seated at the counter, and I notice Zeke Landry sitting at the table near the window with his grandfather. There are two other men with them that I haven’t met or seen before.
I appreciate my teammates showing up for me again.
I take the seat next to Lawson. “Who are the guys with Zeke? The guy looks just like him. I’m gonna guess a brother?”
Lawson nods. “Twin brother. Zander. Cop in Autre. The other guy is Knox. Family friend, and mayor of Autre.”
“Wow, heavy hitters in here today,” I say cheerfully.
Law gives me awhat’s with youlook, but says, “It’s a big deal they’re here. Zander and Knox usually have coffee over in Bad.”
I haven’t been to the little town between here and Autre, but I’ve heard of it.
“They changed up their routine this morning for you,” Law says.
“What? For me?”
“Zeke’s told them about the straw polls going on here. They think it’s hilarious.”
I wouldn’t use the wordhilarious, but speaking of those polls…
I check out the mason jars next to the register this morning.
I sit up a little straighter.
They’re rating my date with Nora again. Movie night.
And the thumbs up jar is nearly overflowing.
“Fuck yeah,” I say.
“Movie night was good?”
I look at Lawson. “Have you ever been?”
He shakes his head.
“Movie night was bonkers,” I say.
He cracks a rare smile. “You still must’ve done something right.”
I settle back onto my stool and bite back my first hockey-locker-room response to that.Fuck yeah I did okay. “We had a really good time.”
“Well, good job.”
I look around, but don’t see any of Nora’s girlfriends. Bruce comes through the swinging doors from the kitchen.
“Morning,” he greets. “What are you eating?”
