Page 50 of Someday Not Soon

“Nope,” she replies, popping thep. “Having a blast, that’s all.”

It’s bullshit, of course. She’ll sit here all day until shebeats me or it’ll drive her insane. Normally, I’m terrible at this game. But today, the Scrabble gods are clearly on my side, and I’m scoring high-point words like it’s nothing.

After watching the sunrise this morning, I suggested grabbing coffee at Little Elm. It seemed like something friends would do—hanging out, drinking coffee, playing old board games. Secretly, it’s an excuse to spend more time with her. The thought of her leaving Lawson gnaws at me like the final seconds ticking away on a clock.

“You sure you’re having fun? You seem a little on edge,” I laugh.

She shakes her iced espresso, the cubes rattling around like they’re proving my point. “Blame it on all these brown sugar shaken espressos you’ve been pumping into my system.” Narrowing her eyes, she says, “Come to think of it, maybe that’s all a part of your plan.”

“Don’t need an agenda when I have these five and six-letter words doing all the work for me.” I wink, to annoy her a little. I’ve missed this—our dynamic, the back-and-forth. Maybe this dreaded friend zone isn’t the worst place to be. “Are you ready to accept defeat yet?”

“Oh, please. Don’t get cocky quite yet.” She examines the small wooden tiles on her rack, switching between studying the board, her letters, and shooting me the stink eye.

Then, with a smirk, she straightens her posture before laying down a three-letter word: cum.

I nearly spit out my drink when I see it. Across the table, she leans back, arms crossed and a triumphant lookon her face as if she’s won the entire game. To be fair, she definitely has, even if the points don’t reflect it.

“That can’t possibly count as a word. Can it?” I ask, trying to keep a straight face.

“Of course it can. Unless you’re too much of a prude, that is.” She bumps her leg against mine under the table, underscoring her sarcasm.

I smirk. “Prude? I think you may have forgotten a few things about me.”

Her eyes snap to mine as she flushes a delicate pink. She didn’t forget. The rosy hue of her cheeks make me suspicious that she remembers all too well. And I’m an asshole for being proud of it.

The air between us thickens with memories of all the times we’ve fucked throughout that summer. From the look in her eyes, I can tell she’s thinking about it too. It has been, and always will be, the best sex I’ve ever had.

Our little horny bubble bursts as Sherie bustles over to our table, squealing with excitement over seeing us. Her bright red hair matches her fiery, bubbly personality, and she wipes her freshly-washed hands on her apron with a wide smile. “Well, isn’t it my lucky day? Two of my favorite people are here at the same time.”

Ella stands to hug Sherie, towering a whole head above the petite bakery owner. “I was hoping to see you today since we didn’t get to talk much during all the wedding chaos. Which, by the way, thank you for swooping in and saving the day.”

Sherie holds Ella at arm’s length, beaming as she takes her in. “Oh, of course, dear. Anything for you. I still alwaysbrag about you and those Pilates classes you taught. You have the face of an angel but you sure busted our asses like a drill sergeant.”

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss it,” Ella replies, smiling at the memory.

“Do you still teach? Please tell me you do, so I can make arrangements to take one of your classes someday.”

“I haven’t taught in years. I take classes myself, but I’m not certified to be an instructor anymore.”

“I get it. Life gets busy. I sure wish you were back in Lawson to teach again, though. The studio’s been closed for years now.”

The mention of the studio is like a spark that floats through the air and lights up Ella’s eyes. Interest and curiosity seem to coarse through her. I know she has a thousand more questions for Sherie about it, but is reigning it in.

“That’s too bad. It was a great little space,” she replies, half-distracted by her own thoughts.

“It absolutely was.” Sherie’s eyes shift from me to Ella, a wry smile tugging at blush-heavy cheeks. “You two have any plans for the day?”

I point to the game board filled with wooden tiles. “At the moment, attempting to beat her in Scrabble.”

Looking down at our game, Sherie’s eyes widen, as she lets out a boisterous laugh. “Well, someone sure knows how to spice things up. Jude, I’m suspicious of you over there laying down that word.”

I raise my hands like I’m swearing an oath. “I’m innocent in this matter.”

Knowing she’s been busted, Ella’s eyes widen. It’s so fucking cute. “I checked the online dictionary. It’s an accepted word…”

Sherie bursts out laughing again. “Well, I love to see it. Jude here could use a little spice in his life from someone like you. God knows he’s in here too often, half-asleep and desperate for caffeine with all that overtime at the hospital he pulls.” An employee calls her name from the front register, and she nods to let them know she’s on her way. “Well, it was great seeing you both. Enjoy the rest of your spicy Scrabble.”

We thank her as she pulls us into big hugs that only grandmas seem to have perfected. As she walks away, she calls out over her shoulder, “And Ella, if you ever want to kick my ass in Pilates again, just say the word. I knowplentyof people who’d love to come to a studio if you ever decided to open one.”

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