Page 153 of Verses

“What do you mean?”

“To make you a good drink. I know you have a latte now and then, but I’d like to make you something you’ve never had.”

“Yeah, okay.”

“Did you want anything to eat?”

“No way. I already had breakfast. Thanks, though.” And, if I knew Claire, she’d either run a mile or two or worked out at the gym. She took off her hoodie, revealing her tattooed arms that weren’t overly muscular but quite impressive just the same.

The two teens at the counter didn’t mind me coming in the back and making drinks for us. After all, I’d trained them both at different times. And even though I punched in the drinks and subtracted my discount, I let one of them collect my money.

Finally, Claire and I sat at a booth on the side of the shop away from the door. Even though spring was right around the corner, winter was hanging on for dear life and it was chilly outside with clouds hanging overhead, threatening snow.

Claire took a sip from her cup. “Wow. This is really good. What is it?”

“Caramel Macchiato.”

“It’s amazing.”

“I thought you’d like it.”

“They’re pretty pricey?”

“No more than a latte.”

“Yeah,” she said, taking another sip. “Between that and the fat and sugar, I probably won’t make it a part of my regular budget.”

“I hear you. But it’s my treat. And once in a while…”

“Yep.”

“You’d be surprised, though. I have customers who come in once, sometime twice a day.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah. It’s a testament to how addictive these drinks are.”

Claire raised an eyebrow, setting her cup down. “So what’s going on, girl? You said you needed to talk. What’s up?”

“Oh, my God. Lots. I don’t think I’ve even told you about Wolf Jackson. He’s our new guitarist.”

“I remember you saying you guys had replaced Liam.”

“Wolf’s one of the bartenders at The Apothecary, so we’ve known him a while. When we found out he could play guitar, we invited him to be in the band.”

“How’s it working out?”

“The band? We’re doing great. Writing new stuff and sounding better than ever before.”

After taking another sip, Claire set her cup down. “So what’s the problem?”

Holy shit. Had I been that obvious? “Well…after Kyle and I broke up, Wolf and I started seeing each other.”

“No way!”

“Yeah—and he’s quite a bit older than I am.”

“How much older? Like, could he be your dad or grandpa?”

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