Page 8 of Strong Coffee
“Mini fridge is right beside you. Take whatever you want. This shouldn’t be long.” While Brady rummaged through the fridge, I went back to my phone call with Bev.
“Who are you talking to?” she asked me.
“A new friend,” I said loud enough for Brady to hear me.
His head lifted, his jade eyes meeting mine. He smirked, giving me a wink.
“Oh? I want all of the details.”
I chuckled. “I’ll give them to you after you tell me why you called.”
“Oh yes. I did do that.” She giggled.
I shook my head, but I couldn’t help the smile forming on my face. Beverly was my best friend and there had been a time when she was more than that. Before I knew I was gay, she and I had dated and eventually got married. It lasted for a year before we got divorced but it was only because she refused to let me live a lie. She had been nothing but supportive and she was the only woman I had ever slept with. I loved her and would always love her, but she had been right. I refused to hide and was on a journey to grow my business and find that one true love. No matter how long it took me. I was only thirty-four, so I was still young and I had time.
“I just wanted to remind you of our dinner date Saturday night.”
My stomach twisted, knowing I had asked Brady to spend the weekend with me. For the first time, I had forgotten about my monthly date with Bev.
“You forgot, didn’t you?”
“I wouldn’t say I forgot exactly.” I was trying to cover my tracks, but she knew me well. No matter what I did and how I said it, she would know that I actually forgot.
“It’s okay, Cammy. Tell me who he is.”
I smiled at the nickname she had given me years ago and continued to use to this day. “He’s someone I met at my restaurant.” I sat back in the large leather chair, looking across the room at the very reason I forgot all about my dinner date with my ex-wife.
“What’s his name?”
“Brady,” I told her.
“How old is he? Is he from here?”
“We never got that far.” I rubbed my mouth with two fingers, Brady’s gaze watching the movement.
“Of course you didn’t.” She sighed. “I love you, but I really want nieces and nephews, so hurry up and settle down already.”
“I want nieces and nephews too,” I reminded her gently.
“Ha. You’re older than I am, so you have to have them first. Those are the rules.”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “Listen, Bev. I’ll be there for our dinner date but yes, I did actually forget.”
“It’s okay. We can reschedule.”
“No.” I looked forward to our dinners. She was the closest thing I had to family besides my parents. Even though we no longer lived in the same city, she always made the drive here. I paid for her hotel room and for dinner even though she insisted on paying the bill for once. It was an ongoing argument between us and one she wouldn’t win. I couldn’t take my money with me when the time came that I passed, so I always paid for everything.
“Are you sure?” Bev asked.
“Of course. We need to catch up anyway.”
“Okay. Then I’ll see you at the same time at your restaurant.”
“That sounds perfect.” I stood from the chair and walked out from behind the desk.
“Good. Have fun and I’ll see you Saturday, Cammy. Love you.”
“I love you too.” I disconnected the call and threw my phone on the couch opposite the one Brady was sitting in.
