I grin at her and take two mugs out of the cabinet. I met Jill when she accidentally backed her car into mine at the beach my first week here. She’d hardly put a scratch on my bumper but insisted on giving me her insurance information. Immediately we clicked as though we’d known each other for years. When she confided in me the reason she hit my car to start with was on the account she was frazzled because she needed a roommate, I offered to rent her spare room. I moved in two days later once we’d both made sure the other wasn’t some psycho serial killer or something.
Jill works at the most magical place on Earth in one of the cafes which is how I met Justin, also known as Prince Charming. Meaning he legit gets paid to be the fairytale hero all girls dream of marrying. I got a job working at a cool thrift shop selling vintage t-shirts and things of that nature. It’s a huge change from working the bar at The Terminal. Smith wanted to strangle me when I called to tell him that I kinda wasn’t coming back as in ever. He totally thought it was because Fisher didn’t want me to work there. I mean he wasn’t exactly wrong. Technically my quitting had to do with Fisher.
When Fisher first realized I was gone, he threatened to come after me ,which would have jeopardized his parole. My father was able to talk some sense into him. Yara says he’s actually doing great. He’s kept his job at the garage with Whiskey and started seeing a Sunday School teacher of all things.
He still pesters Whiskey and Yara about me, but progress is progress. My sister and her sweet little family are going to be here this weekend for a family vacation. Her, Whiskey, and the twins. I can’t wait to see them. All of them.
I even miss my asshole brothers and my father. My mother, not so much. Yara swears our parents are getting back together which is strange. I want nothing to do with the whole thing. I’m glad I’m not back home to see it or hear about it. Of course, Yara tries to gossip about everything and everyone with me, but when our mother becomes the topic of conversation, I make up any excuse in the world to get off the phone with her.
As for Death, Yara never mentions him. She’s afraid I’ll come running home in an attempt to save him from himself. Since his son passed away, he’s become a completely different person. Drinking too much. Fucking anything that moves. I saw proof of that myself when Fisher was in a mood and sent me a video of Death fucking a clubwhore. He apologized for sending it. I know at the time he was hurt and angry, lashing out because he couldn’t understand why I left.
I know my coming here was the best choice I’ve ever made.
Sometimes I do miss home. Especially late at night when I’m sleeping alone. That’s why I have Cleo. My cat keeps me from doing stupid shit like hooking up with random dudes out of loneliness. I adopted her from a local shelter. I couldn’t resist her big eyes and grey tiger pattern stripes when I spotted her at an adopt a pet event the shelter was having in the parking lot near the store I work at.
Justin is the first guy I’ve agreed to go out with since moving here. I’ve been asked out plenty of times, but I’m not ready to date. I only agreed to breakfast with Justin because we’ve hung out quite a lot with our other friends. It’s not like it’s a real date or anything.
We’re simply two acquaintances who are going to have a meal together.
I fill my mug and finish getting dressed in my room while Jill takes over the bathroom for her morning shower.
By the time I make it to the diner, Justin is already here and has a table.
He stands up the moment he spots me.
“Hey. Sorry I’m late.”
Justin smiles and brings me in for a side hug. The guy is seriously all class and a total sweetheart. You can tell his momma raised him to be a true southern gentleman. No wonder he perfects role playing a prince. A whiff of his cologne breezes past me as he releases me. The guy smells clean and not like smoke. Something about the thought sends a pang to my heart. A reminder of Fisher.
Despite all we’ve gone through I think part of me will always love him. They say distance makes the heart grow fonder. I still haven’t determined if I believe that’s true. We both needed this separation. I know he’s better without me. At least according to my sister.
“You good?” Justin cautions.
“Yeah.” I do a little shake of my head and hope my facial expression is neutral.
Justin is the complete opposite of the men I grew up around. He dresses nice. His dark hair is always shaped with a left part. I’m sure he probably uses enough hair gel to style all of Florida, but the look comes as part of his job. From what I have observed, he doesn’t have one tattoo. Like I said, he is so not a motorcycle man.
The difference is refreshing but at times it makes me ache for the rough and tumble of home. I don’t think I’ve ever heard Justin even mutter a curse word. I think Hell would freeze over if he said the word fuck.
I slide into my seat, and he sits on the opposite side of the table to face me. “What’s good here?”
“This is my first time here,” he confesses.
“Ah well, here’s to our first time.” My words play back in my head and my cheeks instantly redden. I wait for a smart remark to fly out of his mouth, but my statement has completely gone over his head. Totally sweet.
“I hope we can come often.”
I purse my lips as laughter builds in my throat on the verge of erupting out of me like lava from a volcano. I need to get laid. I haven’t slept with anyone since my last night with Fisher, and I haven’t replaced my battery-operated boyfriend since I left my favorite toy back in Tennessee.
If I made a move on Justin, I don’t know that he’d read the signs. He’s that nice of a dude.
“Do you have any big plans for the weekend?”
I glance up from the menu that I’ve been hiding behind for the past three minutes trying not to laugh like a middle schooler over sex puns. “My um sister is visiting with my niece and nephew. And her husband Whiskey.”
I watch as confusion etches over his smooth features. His big blue eyes widen in surprise along with his mouth as he questions, “Whiskey?”
“It’s his road name. My family has a motorcycle club.” I wait for the judgment to cast from him, but it doesn’t come.