Page 33 of Happily Ever After

“This was a good pick,” she said, glancing at Joe.

He leaned back slightly in his chair. “I figured you deserved something nice this morning.”

“Why? Because the second episode of the podcast went live?”

He shrugged one shoulder. “Maybe. And maybe because you’re now officially my girlfriend.”

She laughed, amused and still a little giddy.

The server returned with coffee, setting the cups down. “Are you ready to order? Or would you like a few more minutes?”

“I’m ready,” Cece said. Joe nodded, so she turned back to the server. “I’d like the shrimp Benedict.”

“Very good.” The server focused on Joe next, so Cece added cream to her coffee. “And for you, sir?”

“I’ll have the crab cake Benedict,” he said. “And could we also get an order of the key lime-stuffed French toast? Just on the side to share.”

“Excellent choice.” The server nodded, took their menus, and went off to turn in their orders.

Cece picked up her coffee mug and took a sip. It was good. Strong, hot, exactly what she’d hoped for. Across the table, Joe fixed his and took a sip.

“Good coffee,” he said.

“It is.” She watched him for a moment. He was such an interesting man. She marveled at the ease with which he moved through the world. The way he seemed comfortable in any kind of situation. The way he was always there for her, regardless of what she needed.

It was good to have him beside her. This amazing man who wanted her as his girlfriend.

She couldn’t help but smile.

She felt like she was learning how to live from him. How to be more in the moment. Even this one, brunch on a Sunday morning. She loved that he’d ordered the French toast to share because he knew she’d want a bite. He considered her in his decisions. That was something special and she knew it.

Joe caught her looking and lifted an eyebrow. “What?”

“Nothing,” she said. “Just thinking about what a nice idea this was.”

He smiled. “I thought you’d like this place.”

She liked the place a lot. She liked him even more.

When the food arrived, the French toast came first, set between them on a small plate. Cece could smell the citrus immediately. The sugar was caramelized at the edges and glinted like little shards of crystal.

Joe cut it into a few pieces and slid the plate toward her without comment.

She took a bite and closed her eyes briefly as the bread and sugar and key lime filling came together in one glorious explosion of flavor. “Okay,” she said. “That is…spectacular. Worth its reputation.”

“Told you.”

They ate and talked, the conversation shifting in different directions. How she was feeling, his plans for the week, the mention of a movie he thought they might go see. Cece didn’t check her phone. Not once.

She could do that when she got home. For now, this was enough.

Good coffee. Great food. And a boyfriend who knew when to order the French toast. What more could a woman want out of life?

Chapter Fourteen

Essie had slept lightly, waking more than once to the sound of the house settling around her, which she’d actually thought had been Sophie moving around.

It wouldn’t surprise her if Sophie ran again. The girl seemed incapable of staying in one place. Essie’s heart ached for her.