Page 5 of Sycamore Circle

He walked to the counter and placed her order along with another black coffee and four pastries.

Busying herself, Joy put her calendar in her purse and set her phone out on the table. Just in case her daughter, Chloe, needed her. And maybe in case this guy started creeping her out.

“Here you go,” he said, handing her a mocha in a real ceramic coffee cup. “You’re okay with drinking it here, right?”

“Yes. That’s fine.”

“Be right back.” He retrieved his coffee and the plate of pastries. For good measure, he grabbed a handful of napkins. “I brought us something to eat too,” he added, as he sat down in the chair next to her.

His nearness made her catch her breath. He smelled good. Like soap and man and something mint—maybe his shampoo?

“You okay, still?”

“Why are you asking?”

“You tensed. I know my word means nothing to you, but I promise, I didn’t lie. I don’t hang out trying to pick up women in former-church coffee shops.”

“For some reason, I believe you.” She shook her head, then continued as he kept studying her intently. “It’s just that, um, well, I guess I thought you’d take the chair across from me.” Where Anthony had been.

He moved to stand up. “Do you want me to sit there? Give you more space?”

She shook her head. “That’s not necessary. But you really would have switched seats, wouldn’t you?”

He shrugged. “I’m not into making you scared of me.”

“I’m not scared.” She gestured to the coffee and the pastries. “Just curious.”

“About?”

She smiled. “Why you asked me to have coffee.” Suddenly, the obvious answer hit her hard. “Oh! Did you notice that I was tutoring Anthony? Do you need help reading?”

“I can read just fine.” Looking embarrassed, he said, “I just realized that I never even told you my name. It’s Bo. Bo Beauman.” He closed his eyes like he was irritated with himself, then added, “I mean, it’s Samuel Beauman, but everyone calls me Bo.”

“I like Bo. You don’t really look like a Samuel.”

He smiled at her. “I’ve always thought the same thing.” After a pause, he said, “What’s yours?”

“My name?” She rolled her eyes. “Sorry, my name is Joy Howard. And I’m afraid that everyone calls me Joy.”

The corners of his lips lifted. “Your parents named you Joy?”

“Yes. I was born in December.” When he looked like he didn’t get the connection, she said, “You know, Christmas? Joy? It’s a bit much, I know.”

“No, it’s pretty perfect. That’s what it is.”

Lord. Have. Mercy. Doing her best to act like gorgeous, younger guys approached her all the time, she sputtered, “I always wished I had a better name. You know, maybe something more exotic or normal or... something.” She covered her eyes with one hand. “And now I’m officially embarrassed. Sorry, I guess that’s probably more than you wanted to know about me.”

He didn’t smile back. “At the risk of embarrassing myself, I have to say that knowing too much doesn’t feel possible right now.”

That was quite a line. It was too slick. No doubt, he pulled it out on any number of women, multiple times a week.

She sipped her coffee. Waited to feel awkward and uncomfortable.

But all she seemed to feel was flattered and intrigued.

It had been so long since she’d felt that way, she decided to stay a while longer. Just to hear what Bo said next.

CHAPTER 3

---