Page 87 of Spencer and the Younger Girl
“What is it with you guys and my hair?” she grumbled, tucking stray blond strands behind her ears.
Roman eyed the simple coffee maker like it betrayed him. “Jack, when are you going to invest in one of those fancy ones like the Carrigans have? Then, I could make some steamers or cappuccinos.”
Hadley’s grandpa crossed his arms. “Maybe when we have people here for the wake.”
“Who died?” Roman snagged a bagel off the counter and bit into it.
“You.”
He didn’t stop chewing. When he swallowed, he shrugged one shoulder. “At least people will remember me with better coffee than the swill you make.”
Hadley stifled a laugh. The coffee debate between these two had been going on since Roman moved in.
The coffeemaker beeped, breaking their standoff.
“Well,” her grandpa started. “I’m just going to drink my coffee.” He poured it into a mug, leaving enough in the pot for a second cup.
Roman sighed. “Me too.”
“What are you doing up so early?” Hadley asked the perpetually late sleeper.
Roman groaned. “Jesse. He’s making me go to Charlotte’s figure skating training session this morning. I don’t know why. It’s not like we can get out on the ice.”
“Maybe he just wants to hang out with you?”
Roman scowled over the rim of his mug. “Then he’d still want to do that at a reasonable hour.”
“You know… you could say no. I know, I know. Revolutionary idea. Whoa.” Hadley laughed. “But despite appearances, you and Jesse are not actually attached at the hip.”
“But why would I say no?” Roman looked confused.
“Because you just said… it’s so early. Roman, you make no sense.”
He shrugged. “Seems to me you’re the one with a babbling problem.”
Her grandpa, ever helpful, pointed to Hadley. “That’s because she’s happy.”
Roman’s eyebrows shot toward his hairline. “Is that so?”
“She was humming this morning.”
Hadley always considered herself a happy person, but maybe she’d relied too much on sarcasm before.
Roman leaned against the counter. “Humming? Well, that is something.”
“Oh, hush up. Both of you.”
“This wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain older boy?”
“Older?” Her grandpa froze. “How much older are we talking about?”
Hadley sighed. “Thanks a lot, Rome.”
“Anytime.” He flashed her a smile.
“Papa, he’s twenty-one. So, not much older.”
“No matter, I want to meet this boy that makes you smile. Tonight. We’ll order sushi.”
