Page 8 of Sugar Pie
There was nothing to make. Shopping was on my list of chores for the day. My cells grew more alert as I walked toward her. “Don’t. I’ll treat at the diner across the street.”
She patted her belly then massaged her forehead. “Okay. I don’t like to start my day without coffee, so I’ll pick some up from the grocery store along with something for dinner.”
Coffee wasn’t my usual. Normally, I drank water throughout my day, but with my family or on vacation, I would splurge for Maman’s black tea, which was never brewed from a bag. I blinked and focused on Kerry. I used to do math all the time, so I quickly asked, “How much would that cost?”
She pointed at the door. “I’ll keep our groceries under twenty. It’s clear that neither of us are in a position of luxury yet.”
Heat rose inside me , but I followed her out. I wanted to know everything about Kerry. “True.”
We walked down the stairs without a word, but she walked toward the street and not my car as we stared at the diner. Then she broke the silence. “And I can’t sponge off you for long.”
I placed my hand on her back in an instinct to protect her as we crossed. “I’m happy you’re here. Don’t feel pressured.”
We made it to the front door, and I let her open it. As she passed, she let out a breath. “That’s been the problem. I need to hold myself more accountable.”
I waited till we were pointed to a table. I hadn’t been in a diner in a while, but once we were sitting, I asked her, “Why?”
She rocked in her seat but then met my gaze. “I’ve been on the bench, waiting for my life to start instead of actively going after anything. My main goal these days is to be entirely self-sufficient.”
The waitress filled our cups with coffee and took our orders. I ordered egg whites and spinach, and Kerry ordered a fried-egg plate with hash browns. Once we were alone, I clinked my water glass with hers and said, “We’re both seeking change, it seems.”
She sipped her coffee and for one moment closed her eyes like she was in heaven. Then she asked, “What are you looking to change?”
I wanted her story more than I wanted to share, but I needed to be honest too. I swallowed. “I was born in this town before I was adopted and never came back. I’m looking both for answers to questions I never asked and to prove that I’m capable of successfully running a business.”
She reached across the table and took my hand, and sparks rushed through me as she said, “You strike me as driven, as well as nice. I hope you get all the answers you seek.”
The waitress came back with our breakfasts, and Kerry took her hand back. It felt as though she’d taken away a power source, leaving me empty as she folded her hands on the table. Neither one of us said anything, but my heart beat faster. “You’re drawn to me?”
She laughed and shrugged. “We’re friends, which is all I can be with anyone right now.”
I raised my eyebrow. “Yeah?”
She lifted her chin. “I’m technically married.”
I paused. In my moral code, married was a no-go. “Technically?”
“Yeah.” She ate her eggs.
I did the same, and the silence was palpable. I wanted to know her story. She finished her breakfast then let out a sigh. “I left him, but I need to earn money to afford a lawyer as well as figure out how to live and support myself.”
I wouldn’t even think about touching her until she was free. I finished my water. “My brother is a lawyer. I can ask him to help you.”
She waved for the check. “That’s convenient. How was your adoptive family?”
The waitress came, and I quickly left some money on the table. “Great. They’ve always treated me like one of their own. Part of me feels guilty that I even came here, but either way, I promise he doesn’t charge family.”
We got up to leave, but Kerry had her head down and her arms crossed. “I’m not his family.”
That was true, but maybe she would be more open if one of her problems was solved. I checked both sides of the street before we crossed. “No, but you're my friend. Let me ask him if he can help.”
As we stepped off the curb, she stayed next to me. “Okay. I’d rather focus on figuring out the next steps in my life without my ex.”
“Stay as long as you need.” I dug out my keys. “I have to get to a job. I’ll be back soon.”
She walked me to my truck at the bottom step of the apartment complex. “Sounds good.”
Every part of my soul wanted to break all my plans and help her. She rushed up the stairs, and I wondered in that moment if there was more I could do.
