Page 83 of My Almost Ex

“Well, I’m figuring out that I was a tad selfish in our relationship.”

She frowns and sighs. “Who said that? Men are supposed to kiss the feet of their wives. Why do you think there’s that saying, ‘happy wife, happy life’?”

The fact she doesn’t refute my previous personality makes me think I’m right. I’d love to ask someone if people in this town thought I wasn’t deserving of Adam, but at this point, everyone’s coddling me.

“How are things here?” I look around at the almost full house and smile.

Zoe partnered with Adam’s mom to start The Grind back when Mrs. Greene first started her family, but now it’s just Zoe’s.

“Really good. I have a muffin lady.” She nods toward a case in the front. “Pick one. They’re so good.”

“A muffin lady?” I say, looking them over.

“Yep, one day she’s going to become famous and leave me.” She leans forward. “They are that delicious, I swear.” She goes back to making coffee. “But for now, I have a muffin lady.”

I giggle at her exuberant behavior. I never knew Adam’s mother well. I’d see her at school and things, and she was really friendly, always smiling. I have to think if she had a friend like Zoe, then she must’ve been just as fun-loving.

The phone rings and Zoe glances at her employee who’s still explaining the difference between espresso and coffee.

“Now go sit and relax. I’ll be right there.” Zoe walks over and answers the phone. “The Grind.”

I find a table in the back that looks across at Truth or Dare Brewery and The Story Shop. The big sign of Cade Greene’s public announcement to Presley Knight is still up between the two places. They make a cute couple. I’m glad Cade found the one for him.

I ignore a few people’s lingering looks. Some smile and carry on with their conversations. Others don’t. Checking to see how Zoe is doing with my coffees, I see that she’s on the phone still. She shoots me a wave, and when I rise to get the coffees, she shoos me back down with her hand.

A minute later, she walks over with five small drinks. “Here you go. I figured we’d start basic. You’ve got cappuccino, latte, mocha, americano, and black. I’m curious which you’ll pick, so you let me know which one the new Lucy enjoys. Although…” She places her hand on mine. “The old Lucy was pretty magnificent too.”

“Thanks, Zoe.” I lean over and smell all the coffees. Delicious.

Picking up the black, I inhale the scent and tip the cup to my lips. Just like Adam makes at home. I wonder if there’s a family recipe I don’t know about.

Then I continue around the circle of coffees, trying some twice, others three or even four times. I’m not sure I even want to pick one. They’re all wonderful, but my fave of faves is the cappuccino.

Zoe comes by now that a rush is over. “Want a muffin from my lady?”

I shake my head. “No, but I think I’d like a cappuccino?”

“Sure thing.” She starts to walk away but stops, watching someone through the window. Then the door of The Grind opens. “Oh, hang on to your hat, here comes trouble,” she mumbles.

Grandma Ethel and Dori walk into the small cafe, their eyes set on me. Isn’t one wild, heart-stopping drive with them enough for one person’s lifetime?

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