“Yeah. I’m sure you saw the news’s version?”
“Yes, they were pretty vague, though. Something about Sam’s girlfriend’s ex-husband—that’s a mouthful—tried to kill her or something, and you shot him to save her. That must have been nuts. Are you okay?”
“I guess. I had a lot of time to think about it during my time off. In my mind, I justify it and don’t feel that bad about it because he was going to kill Annie. And, once we got in the way, Sam and me, too. If I hadn’t shot him, she’d be dead for sure and maybe all three of us. The bit that didn’t come out in the news waswhyhe was going to kill her.”
“Can you tell me?”
“The investigation’s over so I can talk about it legally, but for Sam and Annie’s privacy, I don’t plan to tell anyone. Sorry.”
“I understand. I’m just glad you’re all right.” She smiled, and he knew she genuinely meant it. Not just that he’d survived but that he was coping with it.
“You and me both. Staring down the barrel of a gun isn’t something I want to relive anytime soon. Plus, now Sam owes me one.” He took a sip of his coffee and raised his eyebrows.
“Speaking of Sam. According to the news, Seattle’s most eligible bachelor is off the market. That must be exciting.”
“Oh, yeah. He and Annie got engaged last week. And my youngest brother, Mitch, got married this summer, back home in New York. They’re already expecting a baby in the spring.”
“How does all that make you feel?”
“Old,” he said, and she laughed. “You in school this quarter? How’s it going?”
“Jake, this is my final quarter.” She bounced in her seat with excitement. “In about eight weeks, I’ll be a college grad. Just in time to turn thirty. It’s taken me forever, but I did it on my own.”
“Hey, a lot of people go to college for seven years…” He left the quote hanging for her to pick up.
“I know. They’re called doctors.” They both laughed. The quote was from the 1990s movieTommy Boy, which they both loved and quoted constantly.
“Hey, I’m super proud of you,” he said. “Business, right? Know what you’re going to do with it?”
She leaned in to whisper, “Buy a coffee shop. This one to be exact. Nobody knows but the owner, though, so keep a lid on it, eh?”
“Are you serious? That’s amazing.” He made a motion of locking his mouth with a key and throwing the key over his shoulder.
“That’s the whole reason I’ve been a barista all this time. I’ve been saving money like crazy for the down payment, and it’s just dumb luck that the owner wants to sell right when I want to buy.”
“Good for you. Congratulations. Hey, fun fact. In New York we’d call this place a coffeehouse.”
“Very interesting. As a soon-to-be owner of a coffee shop, I should know that.” She smiled. “Wanna hear my other news?”
“Duh.” He was paying attention to her but also keeping an eye on a sketchy guy in a red baseball hat. He’d noticed it because it was a Washington State University cap, which was Jake’s alma mater. The guy was milling around outside, probably just waiting for someone, but he kept casting furtive glances their way. It made Jake suspicious.
“I got a tattoo.”
“Ni-ice. Let’s see it.”
“I can’t show youhere,” she said scandalously, as if he’d asked her to strip naked.
“Well, at least tell me what it is.”
“It’s the word ‘love,’ and it’s on my right side, like on my rib cage.” She pointed to a spot a couple of inches under her right armpit.
“Sounds cool. You’ll have to show it to me sometime.” He waggled his eyebrows.
“You wish. Maybe if you weren’t dipping your pen in every inkwell in the city, you’d have a shot. Haven’t you ever thought about settling down?”
“Not yet. Nice analogy, by the way. Are you taking an eighteenth-century literature class?” He laughed at his own joke.
“Smart ass,” she said, rolling her eyes.
