Page 53 of Make My Heart Malt

Jay pulls out a handful of flattened pennies from his pocket and shrugs.

I laugh. “This is amazing! Thank you!” I run my finger over the front plexiglass still in awe that he got it working.

“So I was able to rig it?—”

Jay clears his throat.

Ledger rolls his eyes. “Jay was able to rig it so it doesn’t need quarters to work. Give it a try.” He passes a penny to me.

I place it in the slot and push the tray in. Slowly, I turn the crank and the gears inside rotate meticulously together until it spits out a flattened penny. “This is the best. How much do I owe you?”

“Don’t worry about it. I think Jay had more fun playing around with it than anything,” Ledger says.

“Do you mind if I keep it here for a little bit? Maybe until after Christmas, then I can figure out a place for it.”

“Absolutely.”

“Thank you.” I place another penny into the slot and turn the crank.

A roll of pennies later, my phone chimes with an incoming message. I unlock the screen and my lips curve into a smile. We haven’t talked since the wedding, so the message is a surprise, but a pleasant one.

Georgia

Want to meet me for lunch?

Dessa

Lunch sounds amazing.

Georgia

Great! Want to meet at the Lakewalk Café?

Dessa

Sounds perfect! I'll meet you in about fifteen minutes.

Georgia

I’ll see you then.

As I walk into the quaint café, I spot Georgia sitting at a table near the windows overlooking Lake Superior. I inform the hostess I’m meeting someone and stroll into the dining room. When I’m halfway to the table, Georgia's head lifts, a smile on her bright red lips. I offer a smile of my own. Once at the table, I shrug out of my coat, hang it on the back of the chair, and take a seat.

“Thanks for coming out to lunch with me.” She crosses her hands on the table.

“Thanks for the invite. I’m starving.”

“Being new in town, I don’t have many friends, and dining alone isn’t as fun. But also, I don’t want to assume that we’re friends after one wedding invite and now lunch.”

“No.” I wave her off. “We’re friends. I mean, the friendship has to start somewhere.” Both of us giggle.

“Why is it so hard to make friends as adults?” she asks over her menu.

I nod. “It really is, isn’t it.”

Her shoulders drop in relief. “I’m really glad you came to the wedding too. It was nice to finally meet Tony’s friends and family.”

Carefully, I place my menu on the table, my mouth going dry. “I won’t lie. I was a little apprehensive about going. The thought of attending my ex-boyfriend’s wedding gave me hives. Not literal hives, but close.” I swallow a sip of water. “Even though I’ve known Tony for so long, we spent so many years not talking, so it was a surprise more than anything. But it’s nice to have him back as a friend and now you too, of course. I wasn't sure if my history with Tony would be awkward between me and you.”

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