We step to the side of the door once outside on the footpath. A few of the mums glance at us before they walk off, and I despise the attention.
“I usually go to the coffee shop and study for the hour,” Astrid adds, peering up at me. “You’re welcome to join me if you like.”
I was planning to go to the gym, but I can go later. I know if I show up at the house, Ma will rope me into helping with the porch remodeling, so killing an extra few hours suits me.
At least that’s what I’m telling myself.
“I could use a coffee, studying not so much.”
She grins, hiking her backpack over her shoulder. Without hesitation, I swipe her bag and sling it over my shoulder before she can protest. “This is fucking heavy. You hiding a dead body, Astrid?”
She giggles. “Just a lot of books.”
“If I get arrested as an accessory to murder, I’m denying all knowledge,” I quip as we set off walking.
“You’re safe. No arrests are imminent.”
“Good to know.” I keep pace with her, arching a brow when we pass by the door to Joey’s. “Isn’t that where all the seniors hang out?” I was at the diner with a few of the guys from the team on Wednesday after school, and I’m sure Astrid already mentioned it to me.
“Yep, which is exactly why I avoid it on Saturday mornings when I’m trying to get some studying done. It’s far too noisy, and people wouldn’t leave me in peace. The coffee shop is a lot quieter, and they have the best coffee in town.” She stops, dragging me off to the side so we’re not interrupting the flow offoot traffic. “But it’s cool if you want to go in. I don’t mind. I can catch up on studying tonight after work.”
“You had me at ‘best coffee.’ Let’s go.”
We resume walking. “It’s only around the corner,” she supplies.
“You aren’t going to Thor’s party tonight?” I ask, registering her comment about studying later tonight.
“I wasn’t planning to, but Gwen’s already blowing up my phone, so I’m currently fifty-fifty.”
“Please come. It would be good to have a friend there who isn’t a jock.” Ma would be cracking a smug grin right now if she heard me.
“I’ll consider it,” she says, pushing through the door of a quaint little coffee shop.
“Hey Beryl,” Astrid calls out, waving at the older woman behind the counter.
“Your usual table is reserved for you,” she says, before turning her attention to me. “Welcome to Cake and Coffee.”
“Thanks.” I trail Astrid as she makes a beeline for a small table tucked in a corner at the back of the small but cozy room.
“Hey, sweetie,” another older lady says, appearing at our table holding a pad and pen. “The usual, Astrid?”
“Please,” she confirms, taking her bag from my shoulder and shoving it under the table.
“I’m Esther.” The waitress smiles kindly at me. “Might you be the new soccer player my freshman son has been raving about since yesterday’s game?”
“Wow, it’s that obvious?” I slide onto the wooden chair across the table from my pretty neighbor.
“It’s a small town. Word spreads fast.”
“I’m beginning to understand that, and yes, I’m Callan Hunt.”
“Well, Callan Hunt, your first order is on the house. What can I get you?”
“Just a black coffee, please.”
She blinks, staring at me like she must not have heard me correctly, and I have an awful feeling I might have just offended her. “Ummm.” I smooth a hand across the back of my neck.
“They have oatmeal or yogurt, berries, and granola, or they have salad,” Astrid informs me. It’s sweet of her, but I’ve already eaten breakfast, and I have a protein drink and a banana in the truck for before my workout, so I really don’t want to eat anything right now.
