Her lips move into a grin and then fall. “As much as I’d love to, I work most nights.”
“During the day then? Coffee? A walk on the pier. My time is very flexible.”
She stares at me as if she’s contemplating it, but then she nods toward the kitchen door.
“I should probably get back. I always tell my crew that we are a team. I don’t want them to think I’m slacking on the job.” Maddy stands and so do I.
“Breakfast?”
She looks skeptical but finally nods. “Meet me at the café on the corner. I’ll be there at nine.”
“I’ll be there.”
Maddy walks the length of the bar until she stops at another table. I sit down and finish my cake, leave a crisp one-hundred-dollar bill on the table with a note to my server: Good luck on your test! and leave with a little more pep in my step because I have a coffee date with Ms. Metcalf.
3
Madeline
Playing it cool is definitely not my strong suit. The last thing I want is for Adam to know he flustered me. The man is even more gorgeous now than he was all those years ago. The wisps of gray in his dark hair is sexy as hell. Unfortunately, the last thing I need is to get involved with someone when I know they aren’t staying. I have my business to run and it’s my number one focus. Still, I couldn’t resist his invitation to breakfast. The corner café I told him to meet me at has the best cream cheese pastries other than Camryn’s. I wish Camryn would make them more often. That’s why I have to get my fix every once in a while at Daphne’s café.
It’s ten minutes till nine and the café is only a block away from home. It’s a warm July morning so I opted to wear a pair of navy shorts and a navy and white striped shirt with a pair of brown sandals I’ve never worn before. I haven’t been out and about in a long time. I’m so used to wearing my restaurant attire. I can’t do that this morning. I want to look nice. Not that it really matters. Meeting Adam for breakfast is just that, nothing more.
I walk into the café thinking I’m early, but Adam is already at a table, waiting on me. There isn’t a hair out of place on his head and he’s dressed in a pair of khaki shorts and light blue polo shirt. Very cute. His smile reminds me so much of the past. Or maybe it’s the butterflies in my stomach. Taking a deep breath, I smile and wave.
“Good morning,” I say, joining him at the table. There’s already a glass of ice water waiting for me as well.
He nods at it. “I would’ve ordered you a glass of orange juice, but I didn’t know if you still drank it or not. It’s what you used to always order back in college when we’d go to breakfast.”
He’s right. I’m surprised he remembers that. “You would’ve been right,” I reply with a smile. “I still my drink my orange juice every morning.” I pick up the glass of water and take a sip. “But the water’s fine too. Thank you.”
The waitress comes over with her pad and pencil, wearing a cute little dress. Her name is Catherine and she smiles at Adam before focusing on me. “Hey, Maddy. Do you want the usual this morning?”
Adam lifts his brows. “The usual? What might that be?”
Catherine giggles. “Orange juice with two cream cheese pastries with two to go.”
Adam laughs. “Nice. I think I’ll have the same.”
Catherine writes it down on her pad. “Perfect. Easy enough. I’ll be right back with your drinks.”
“So the pastries are really good here?” Adam asks.
I take another sip of my water. “Some of the best.”
It’s not long before Catherine comes back with our two pastries a piece along with two boxes with our extra pastries in them. I cut into one of my treats and slowly devour it. Adam watches me and smiles. “Not gonna lie. I was always fascinated with how much you loved food. Every time we would eat somewhere, you’d savor every bite.”
“It’s the only way to eat.” I cut another piece with my fork and slowly bring it to my lips. Closing my eyes, I concentrate on the flavors. Pure heaven.
Adam clears his throat and I open my eyes as he takes his first bite. He looks away and nods. “It is very good. I might have to get a dozen to go instead of two.”
“I knew you’d like them.”
His gaze drops down to my left hand but then he quickly focuses on his plate. “I’m assuming it’s okay for you to be out with me? I don’t want to piss off a husband or boyfriend.”