“And it’s been nine months. I need one hundred percent, and I don’t think you’re going to get there.”
I was cut from the only team I’ve ever played for. The only team I ever wanted to play for. And not just by the owner. Declan is my fuckingbrother-in-law. Not even being kind of related to the guy and my sister’s resultant ire could save me.
So, can I be the savior Nora is looking for? Maybe. Probably. But I was feeling a lot better about this Louisiana move before I found out that this barely-a-hockey league actually mattered to someone.
And I’d really rather Nora Delaune just wanted me for more kissing.
Nora pauses at the front door to the café, and I stop behind her. I look from side to side, finally really taking in my surroundings.
The pathway bisects the outdoor sitting area. On the left side of the path are light brown wooden chairs covered in thick, puffy yellow, orange, and white cushions. Between and around the chairs are wooden planters filled with brightly colored flowers in yellow, orange, pink, and white. The area is shaded by tall striped umbrellas that match the cushions and flowers. The whole area is bright and cheery.
In contrast, the area on the right side of the path is covered in dark cobblestones, and the furniture is dark gray wood with midnight blue upholstery. The center feature is a fire pit, and I swear my body starts sweating even thinking about being near a fire in the hot and humid September air. Above the entire area, small white lights are strung from wooden posts. I’m sure they give a soft glow to the area at night.
It seems clear that the two sides of the path are supposed to be day and night. Interesting.
“This is…cute,” I comment.
Nora grins, and I read the words painted on the door just before she pulls it open.
Perks and Rec. Perk up from six a.m. to five p.m. Recreate five p.m. to midnight.
A bell tinkles above us as we step into the air-conditioned interior.
The inside is decorated like the outside. The room is divided right down the middle with light wood on one half and orange, yellow, and pink upholstered easy chairs, coffee tables, an enormous bookcase, and more potted flowers. There’s a huge front window with a ledge, displaying a chalkboard sign that shows today’s coffee, muffin, and sandwich specials. The lighter side has a counter with an enormous copper coffee machine behind a glass bakery case.
The floor on the other side of the room is covered in dark gray tile. There are long, tall tables with granite-colored tops and brushed silver barstools. The walls are painted dark blue and, similar to the outdoor area, the ceiling is strung with white lights. That side of the room also has a door that clearly rolls up, opening one entire wall that leads out onto the patio. There’s a stage in the corner and a bar along the back wall.
They take the dual function of the establishment seriously.
“Hi, Nora!”
“Nora, sweetheart!”
“Nora!”
Several greetings ring out as Nora heads to the coffee counter.
“Hey, everyone!” she says with a smile, but it’s not until she’s at the counter that she turns and finds that I haven’t followed her across the room.
I’m still at the door, frozen by the fact that every single person in the coffee shop is suddenly staring at me. Now dead silent.
But hell, I’m used to being stared at. I lift a hand. “Hey, everyone, I’m Alex.”
“Oh, they know who you are,” a woman says.
I focus on her. She’s sitting on one of three stools at the coffee counter. She’s beautiful. Long blond hair, probably in her early thirties. She’s dressed in white shorts, a hot pink tank top, and pink sandals. She somehow looks casual and classy at the same time.
She lifts a coffee cup and takes a sip. “We’ve been waiting for you.”
For some reason, that doesn’t sound like a good thing.
Suddenly, Nora is beside me again, tugging me toward the counter. “Alex, this is my friend, Anderson. Andi, this is Alex.”
“Hi,” Andi says. Her smile seems genuine.
“Hi.”
“So the apartment is—” Nora starts.
