“I’m getting something I know I won’t hate. Strawberry banana.”
“Didn’t you burn yourself out on those in college?” he asks.
“Sure did. Still don’t love them, but it’ll work.”
Nate hums as we get close to the front and put in our orders.Once it’s done, we hit up the coffee shop to get two drips, and then find a seat outside. The sun is hot and I have to quickly sip on my smoothie to avoid it melting.
“So, what’s the verdict?” he asks.
I taste the strawberries and bananas, but it’s muted. It’s exactly what I expected it to be. “It’s fine.”
“Would you like to try mine?” he asks. His is brightly colored, looking almost red in the light.
“What’s in that?”
“Still don’t know, but it tastes good.”
I’m tempted to say no. Usually, I don’t like trying new things, but if Nate likes it, then it might not be so bad.
When I taste it, I immediately notice raspberries and blueberries. It’s more tart than mine, but I love tart fruits. If it had granola on top, it would be close to my favorite acai bowl I have back home.
My shoulders slump and Nate shoots me a look. “Do you hate it?”
“No,” I mutter. “It’s so fucking good.”
“Imagine that.” He laughs as he reaches over. I think he’s going for his own cup. Instead, he grabs mine. “I’ll take this.”
“It’s nothing special. I wouldn’t even try it.”
“Oh, I’m not trying it, berry. I’m taking it. You can have mine.”
“What? Why?”
He shrugs. “You like that one more.” Nate says it as if it’s nothing, and I have no doubts that, to him, it isn’t. This is simply the man that he is. He’s annoying but caring. I know that he only wants others to be happy.
And he’s one of the few who makesmehappy.
“Thank you,” I say. “I should have branched out in the first place.”
“You like what you know. Until the moment youknow something else is better. I have a feeling you’ll be getting that tomorrow.”
I can only nod and pull the cup closer. Nate laughs and goes back to his smoothie. His gaze moves from me to other people around. He’s people watching. I can’t help but follow his gaze. What does he think of the people around us? And why do I want to know so badly?
There’s a group of shirtless men in the pool playing with a beach ball. They’re yelling and tackling each other as if it’s the most important game of their lives. A few women are sunbathing, and others are going up to the running trail.
I finish my smoothie and then my coffee as we watch. Nate doesn’t look twice at anyone, but I wonder if that’s simply for my sake. He’s been glued to my side the entire time we’ve been here.
“Well, I think it’s time for me to take my leave.”
Nate’s brow knits. “What?”
“I’m gonna head out. I was thinking of checking out the massage parlor.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“This is a perfect day to swim.” I gesture at the pool. “Or meet people. You’re always good at that.”
“Are you trying to get rid of me?”
