“I don’t mind.” This all felt so natural, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t waiting for the bubble to pop. I feared our little honeymoon phase was going to be shorter than most.
Suki pulled her keys from her purse and rounded the car, letting go of my hand as she went. With two clicks, the doors were unlocked, and we hopped in.
“So where are we going?” The car started up nice and easy, and I pulled up the coffee shop on the GPS.
“Sullivan’s Cafe. Great coffee, delicious muffins, and if you know the right buttons to push, they’ll top it all with marshmallows.” I hitStart, and we were off. Suki pulled out onto the quiet street, and I placed my elbow on the center console, my arm jutted out with the palm up.
Suki easily slid her hand into mine, adjusting her grip on the steering wheel to accommodate one-handed driving.
“Marshmallows on a muffin? Like raw, unmelted mini marshmallows? Won’t those fall off and make a mess? Coffee, I understand, especially a mocha or even a cappuccino to add a little sweetness, but do muffins really need more on top?”
“Wow, didn’t peg you for a muffin hater. The more you know…” She rolled her eyes but kept her attention on the road in front of us.
“I don’t remember you pegging me, but I am not a muffin hater, just a muffin questioner.”
“Pfft. No? Damn, guess I didn’t fuck you hard enough. What a shame.” I gripped her hand harder, loving how comfortable this was. “They will add a few on top and stick it in the toaster oven for a few seconds to get it all warm and gooey. It’s the best on chocolate chip muffins, a s’mores moment. But I would never say no to a lemon blueberry muffin with mini marshmallows melted on top. They don’t always have those though.”
“So you go there a lot?” We made a left turn, making our way through the suburb I lived in.
“Yeah, if I’m tired of staring at computer screens in the dark hole I call my office, I’ll go there. I can get work done whileenjoying some sun and good coffee. Do you have a place like that?”
“Not to that level. I do go to my local cafe every now and then, but a few of the restaurants know my order by name alone though.” I leaned over, getting as close as I could while not impeding her driving. My face was maybe a foot away from hers as I stared up at her, watching the light of the morning sun flash across her dark eyes. The hints of brown and gold that weren’t normally there were very visible now.
“I am not ashamed to admit that more than one restaurant knows my order. I don’t order out a lot, but when I do, it’s the same places and same order. They caught on pretty quickly to my routine.”
“Oh? Have you not been here long?” Her nose scrunched, and I wanted to kiss it. I chastised myself. Even I was irritated at my behavior, like some lovesick puppy.
“Two years. I move around every few years to keep things fresh.” She gave me a side eye like I was the most ridiculous person she had ever met.
“Says the one who has a very specific routine and probably has a chair with your name on it at Sullivan’s.” She made one last turn, then pulled into the cafe’s parking lot. When we came to a stop, Suki turned more quickly than I expected and locked my lips with hers. “Do you know how distracting it is to drive and not be able to do that, especially with you staring me down like a fucking meal?”
My eyes grew wide. Suki and cussing was a hot combination.
“I will not apologize.”
“Wasn’t asking you to.” She gave me another peck on the lips, then jumped out of the car.
I followed, and we made our way into the cafe. The smell of baked goods and coffee grounds wafted over me, and I tooka deep breath. Normally, this would be soothing, but this time, nausea greeted me.
I stumbled slightly, but Suki caught me, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. “Are you okay?” I nodded, but based on the look on her face, she knew I was lying.
“To go?” She nodded and pulled us to the counter. The pressure in my stomach lifted slightly when her skin touched mine and her scent made its way into my lungs.
“Hi! Welcome to Sullivan’s. What can I get for you today?” Patty asked, then looked over at me. “Your usual?” She had worked here for a while, and we were on a first-name basis. She was really sweet, living up to the Omega brand, but that made me want to vomit all over the counter today.
“Um, sure, yep, that’s fine.” I hoped that was coherent enough.
“Teddy?” Patty dropped the sweet barista persona and came around to help me into a seat.
Her scent made me gag, and I nearly spilled the zero amount of food I had in my stomach on the floor.
“Are you okay? Do you need to go lay down, or…” Suki started, but she stopped when I shook my head.
“No, no. I’m okay. Just nauseous. Maybe tea today, Patty?” I watched them look at each other. Neither was convinced I was okay. I had never felt something like this, but something was itching at the back of my mind. I knew what this was, but I couldn’t quite grasp on to the words.
“Whatever she wants. Here.” Suki gave Patty her card. “Nothing for me today.”
Patty got to it, and when she left my space, I felt a little better.
