Noah ignored the insults and kissy sounds from Buster and Tex.
“Although lately your crown is a bit tarnished,” Annabelle added.
“What? Why?”
She tilted her head slightly to study him. “Since Samantha, you’re kind of gruff and grouchy.”
“No, I’m not.” Noah tried not to react to the mention of his ex’s name.
“You are, bud,” Tex said.
“Yup,” from Buster.
“Whatever, and it’s only because you guys are loved up and constantly happy that you think so,” Noah muttered, feeling uncomfortable. Surely he hadn’t changed that much? Sure, he was bitter sometimes about stuff, but the rest was a surprise to him.
“But I’m sure it’s only temporary,” Willow said, always the peacemaker. “Now tell us when you were Prince Charming, Noah.”
His sent his friends a glare before answering. They smiled back. “I pulled the heel of a woman’s boot out of a grate.”
“I hate when that happens,” Buster said, handing his wife a glass of something. The other one he placed before Annabelle.
“And that’s another thing, how come I’m invisible now she’s pregnant?” Tex demanded.
“Because you’re able to touch your toes. These two aren’t.”
“That’s true. I had to help—”
“One more word, Ethan, and I’m hurting you,” Annabelle threatened.
“I came in here for a quiet coffee and I get this shit.” Noah headed to the counter, still a little raw that his friends thought him a grouch.
“Go back to your place if you want that.” Buster moved behind it with the shopping bags. “And thanks, man, she shouldn’t be carrying this stuff.”
“All good. Make me a coffee, and I’ll take one of those mystery muffins.”
“Take a bite, see if you can get the ingredients.”
Noah took one out of the container and bit into it. Buster was now at the coffee beast, as he called the machine.
“You’re looking less panda now. How is the nose?”
“I can breathe through it, thanks.”
For a few days it had hurt like the devil. Even now, when he wrinkled it the sensation wasn’t pleasant.
“You were pretty evasive about how that happened, which is another new personality trait since Samantha. Run it by me what took place again?”
“So why am I just learning now about the changes to my personality?”
“We think you’re ready.”
“Whatever. And I wasn’t evasive, I was in pain. Two guys tried to rob me, and I didn’t want to let them.” Noah bit into the muffin so he couldn’t talk anymore. There was no way he wanted to tell his friends he’d been defending a woman; they’d never have let up.
“I’m not sure you’re licensed for this kind of muffin.” Noah took another bite. “Date, walnut, with a hit of bourbon, and that other stuff like flour, salt, sugar, butter, eggs, etc.”
“Close.”
If a customer guessed the ingredients, they got the muffin and a coffee for free. It drove Branna McBride crazy. In all the years she’d lived here, she’d never got it right.
