Page 102 of 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Forty-Seven

“We have that education fund set up for you, too,” I remind her.

“Yeah, I know, but if I can offset the costs of tuition with a scholarship, I can allocate that money elsewhere.”

I smile at my daughter. “You’re amazingly responsible, you know that?”

She smiles back at me. “I learned from the best.”

I drop Violet at school. “Oh! And don’t forget, the team is coming over for pizza and chicken wings after the meet. We want to plan a strategy for our next competition while we’re fresh!”

“Right. Yes! Good luck this afternoon!”

“Thanks, mom!” She closes the door and Michael, one of her Mathlete teammates, lopes down the steps to greet her.

With Violet at school, I head downtown, to the office of Freeman Financials. I spend the first two hours of my day in meetings where the higher ups waste my time with nonsense. It’s about as exciting as watching paint dry.

I require additional caffeine to make it through the rest of the day, so I stop at the café across the street.

“Skye! How’s everything going in the world of numbers on this fine Monday morning?” Larissa, who works behind the counter most days of the week asks.

“Predictable, as numbers usually are. How are you? How are your night classes going?” Larissa is taking evening courses at a local college so she can work full time and earn a degree.

“So far, so good. I’m really enjoying my sociology class. Can I get you the usual?”

“I’ll take a twenty-ounce today, and a triple shot of espresso.”

Her eyes flare. “Did someone stay up late binge watching their favorite show?”

I chuckle. “I just sat through a meeting that was drier than Saltines in the Sahara and one of my clients handed me all their tax documents yesterday afternoon and they’re due tonight, so I have a long day of number crunching ahead.”

“Yikes. Sounds like not a lot of fun.”

“I’m used to it, and I don’t mind working under pressure.” I scan the display case and add a pumpkin spice muffin to my order.

“Excellent choice and a perfect pairing for your latte.” Larissa hands me the brown bag and I tuck it into my purse.

“Thanks Larissa, have a great rest of your day.”

“You too!” She smiles and her attention shifts to the person behind me.

I move aside and wait for my order.

News plays on the TV in the corner with closed captioning scrolling across the screen. It’s the usual depressing stuff, so I people watch instead. Several tables hold people reading the paper, other patrons have laptops propped in front of them. Only one pair looks like a potential couple. The local college isn’t too far from here and they seem to fit the student profile. The girl ducks her head and blushes, while he picks at the cardboard sleeve around his cup.

I haven’t been on a date in ages. Francine in PR wants to set me up with her cousin, but he works in car sales, and I don’t really know how much we’d have in common. Besides, Violet is halfway through high school. She needs me now more than ever.

The guy who was behind me takes his place a few feet to the right of me. We make brief eye contact and exchange polite smiles.

He’s tall and broad, with dark blond hair, gray flirting at the temples. The crinkles in the corner of his eyes tell me he’s probably around forty. He’s wearing a crisp navy suit, complemented with a cream button down and a blue and gold striped tie, and brown dress shoes.

Before either of us can make awkward small talk, his phone rings. Fishing it out of his pocket, he checks the screen before he brings the device to his ear. He turns to face the window, giving me his back. He’s got a great butt.

I check him out from bottom to top, and when I reach the back of his head, I note he has all his hair. No ice rink for ants forming at his crown yet. Visually, he’s what Violet would call a snack.

I smile at the thought and realize he’s looking over his shoulder. At me. And I’m appreciating his full head of hair. Yeesh.

I internally wish for my latte to be ready so I can escape my embarrassment.

Hubert, the barista, calls out, “Skye and Sidney! Your lattes are ready!”

---