Page 32 of The Little Black Book

My brother grunts out a greeting, but the frown on his face tells me he’s having the same kind of morning I’m having. Leaving him to sulk over whatever has his undies in a twist, I head for the coffee maker and set up a pot to brew. Then I pluck a fresh glazed donut from the display case and take a big bite.

Sugar and caffeine fix everything.

As soon as the coffee finishes brewing, I pour a cup and add a liberal amount of cream and sugar. I sigh with pleasure as I swallow my first drink, which warms my belly with sweet contentment. Noticing the time, I finish my donut and coffee quickly, then wash my hands before heading out to unlock the front door.

We have a steady flow of customers, much like every Saturday morning, and I don’t have a second to fall back into the memories of last night and my confusion over Sam. As I finish ringing up the last customer in line and giving her the box of donuts she ordered, the bell over the door jingles. I look up to greet the new patron and freeze.

Sam strides toward me, a warm grin brightening his expression. I try to return his smile, but it feels strained and crooked on my face.

Get it together, Zoey.

“Morning,” he says, shoving his hands into his pockets and rocking back on his heels.

“Good morning,” I say, clearing my throat. “What can I get you?”

He hums and bends over to look at his options behind the glass. Then he straightens and points toward the glazed donuts in the center.

“A regular glazed and a cup of coffee, please.”

“You got it,” I say, internally lambasting myself for my overly cheerful tone.

He pays for the items and thanks me with a grin, then heads over to an empty table near the window. A couple of more customers walked in while I was serving him, and I force myself to ignore his presence and focus my attention on them. It’s hard, but I somehow manage.

Once the place clears out, and Sam is the only customer left, I give myself a mental pep talk about acting normal and not being a psychopath before walking over to sit in the chair opposite him. This is what I would normally do. If things were normal. Which they are. Definitely.

“Hey,” he says, then smacks his lips lightly. “The donut was delicious, as usual.”

“I’ll be sure to let Zeke know,” I say with a smile, feeling myself relax.

“Where is he, anyway? Doesn’t he usually come out to help when it’s busy?”

“He’s in the back,” I say, then lean closer and lower my voice. “I don’t know what’s going on with him this morning, but he’s in a mood.”

“Did he and Ava get into it after you guys dropped me off last night?”

The reminder of last night makes my breath hitch. I swallow thickly and force myself to breathe.

“Not really. They were actually having a civil conversation, for once.”

At least, I think it was civil. My racing mind couldn’t comprehend their words, but I do know they weren’t arguing.

“Weird. Anyway, do you have any plans for after work?”

His sudden change of topic startles me, and I peer at him through narrowed eyes. “No. Why?”

If he asks me to observe another date today, I’m going to lose it. I can’t. I can’t watch him with another woman while I’m still so confused by my own reaction to his closeness last night.

“Do you want to hang out? There’s a new movie playing at the theater I wanted to see.”

“What kind of movie?” I ask, ignoring the way my heart picks up speed.

“Horror. Kidnapping and torture. And murder,” he says.

“Uh, no thanks.”

“I’m kidding,” he says with a chuckle. “I know you don’t like those kinds of movies. It’s actually an action-adventure comedy. And there’s romance.”

He sing-songs that last sentence, dangling it like bait to get me to bite. His expression is so hopeful, the last of my anxiety falls away. This is what we need. To hang out, as friends. A fun afternoon to wash away the confusion from last night.

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