Page 14 of Here's to Yesterday

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“Well,well, well. Fancy meeting you here,” hedrawls.

I sigh.Of all theplaces.

I ended up not heading to Clyde’s early, because nothing says “desperately seeking company” like going into work early. Instead, here I am at Perk, the local coffee shop, enjoying my mocha latte and reading about Josh Walker, whenheshowsup.

“Tucker, I’moh soshocked you’re here,” I say, setting down my book and glancing up to catch himgrinning.

“Was that sarcasm I detect, my dear sweet,sweetMaura?”

“Never,” I deadpan. I point to the chair across from me. “Sit. We have things todiscuss.”

“Wait,” he peeks around the small classic coffee place and drops his voice to a whisper. “You mean youwantto be seen with me in public? Wow. This must be my lucky day.” I suppress the urge to roll my eyes at him as he takes a seat. “So, what are these super important things we have to talkabout?”

“I’m sorry,” I tell himquietly.

“Huh? I didn’t quite catch that,” he says, cupping his hand around his ear and tilting his dirty blond head towardme.

When I don’t respond immediately, he peeks over at me. I narrow my eyes teasingly. “Oh, I think you heard me just fine, TuckerBentley.”

He chuckles and sits back in his chair. “Apology accepted. Are you feeling any better? Rae told me she talked toyou.”

I momentarily freak out for fear that Tucker knows I’m about to break Tanner’s heart, but then I check myself because I know Rae would never betray me likethat.

“A littlebit.”

He eyes me, and I know he’s searching for cracks in my expertly placed mask. His eyebrows scrunch together and I know he’s found them. Thankfully, he ignores them and moveson.

“What are you doing out this early? Are you not working today?” heasks.

“You mean you don’t know? I was so sure you knew my workschedule.”

Tucker smiles and shakes his head at me. “We’re a bit feisty today, huh? That’s okay. Two can play that game, Maura.” He mumbles the lastpart.

“I don’t work until later, actually. Had to get out of the house.” I tap my temple and say, “Too much going on uphere.”

“Ah, the brain. Mankind’s own worst enemy. You’ll drive yourself mad living up there all thetime.”

“Don’t I knowit.”

“You want another coffee? I’m gonna go grab me one,” heoffers.

“Sure. I’llhave—”

“A mocha latte, no whip, cool temp,” hesupplies.

Because that’s not creepy.I almost want to change my order to spite him, but in the two years I’ve been coming here, I’ve never gotten anythingelse.

“How in the hell did you knowthat?”

He shrugs. “I’ve been in here a time or two while you’veordered.”

I watch as he walks away, puzzled by his confession because I’ve never once noticed him in here. And I come almostdaily.

Huh. Guess Iamstuck in my head thatmuch.

Picking my book back up, I immediately get sucked back into the tangled relationship between Josh Walker and EmberHoward.

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