“Long time no see, Sofia.”
“It has been a while. How are your parents? You look so different, I didn’t recognise you. I love the hair!”
“Oh, they are on a cruise at the moment. Somewhere in the middle of the ocean, living lives of luxury.”
I chuckle, and when she comes around the counter, we hug. Yolanda was in my brother’s year at the school we all went to in the next town over. She’s got long brown hair which is now streaked with pink, a beautiful smile, and the prettiest brown eyes. She was Sebastian’s girlfriend for almost twelve months, and I really liked her. I think I cried more than Sebastian when they broke up.
“Lucky them.”
She shrugs. “I got my café; they got their retirement. It’s a win-win.” She clears her throat and glances at Mack. “But you’re here to pick out something to take with you.”
“I am?”
I glance at Mack.
“You are. Whatever you want.”
I study the menu. “What’s your favourite?”
Yolanda hums in thought. “I’m a simple girl. I love the toasted chicken, bacon, salad ranch roll.”
“Okay. That sounds great.”
Mack grins. “We’ll take four of them and the lamingtons.”
I peek up at him and find that knowing grin on his face.
“Yes, I still remember those were your favourite.”
“How?”
“Probably for the same reason you knew all that weird stuff about me: I was obsessed with you. Creepy to the nth degree.”
Yolanda smiles. “You four make the perfect pack. We’re all so happy you came home, Sofia.”
Danger barks, and I startle, scratching his chin. “Uh, can I grab a bottle of water for Danger?”
Yolanda grabs it and puts it and a bowl up on the counter.
I fill it up and then set it down on the ground, letting him drink. He laps at it, then runs straight for Mack, who swoops him up and kisses the spot between his eyes.
“You are gorgeous, too,” Mack croons at my pup.
“He is lovely, everyone is talking about him. What breed is he?” Yolanda asks, watching Mack’s smitten behaviour with amusement.
“He’s a miniature dachshund.”
“I love that dappled colour. He is really pretty,” she says with a soft sigh.
“Yeah, he is.”
Yolanda packs up our food and walks us to the door. “I’ve put some hunks of meat in there. They were cooked without oil and no additives.”
“Thank you so much, Yolanda. It’s so good to see you.”
“We’ll catch up,” she promises.
“Yes.”
