Page 114 of Suck My Puck

“Yeah, I’d be happy to. My best friend is a coffee addict and she drinks cups of it every day. She says it totally satisfies her coffee craving.”

“Oh, I would love that!”

Bella hands me her ice cream cup and pulls her phone out of her jacket pocket. She and Becca exchange numbers. She promises to drop off some hot chocolate to Becca tomorrow morning.

Becca notices Maizie, who we left outside next to the entrance. “Oh is that your puppy? She’s so cute.”

We all walk outside and introduce her to Maizie. I untie the leash from the outdoor table and she hops up on her little legs to lick Becca’s hands as she pets her. Becca laughs.

“We weren’t sure if it was okay to bring her in,” I say.

“I love dogs, you’re always welcome to bring her in with you,” she says to us.

Bella promise to text Becca. We tell her good-bye and walk down the street. I loop my arm in Maizie’s leash so I can finish eating my ice cream.

“Look at you. Making new friends and showcasing your coffee.” I gently bump Bella with my elbow. She laughs.

“Becca seemed so nice,” she says.

“Yeah, she did. Did you see how her face lit up when you raved about her ice cream?”

Becca beams. “I hope she likes my hot chocolate,” she says as we walk along the block through the neighborhood.

“She will. Your coffee and your hot chocolate are the best. No question.”

She flashes a soft smile at me. “You’re sweet.”

“It’s the truth.”

We finish our ice cream as we walk through the Cherry Creek neighborhood of Denver. It’s almost the end ofNovember, but we haven’t had much snow in the city yet, just a couple dustings that have melted after a day. It’s a crisp, clear afternoon and all the leaves on the trees that line the street in this neighborhood are fiery red, orange, and gold.

When we finish our ice cream, I toss the empty containers into a nearby trashcan. Bella offers to take the leash, so I hand it to her. We walk ahead and I scoop Bella’s hand in mine.

She looks up at me, amused smile playing on her lips.

I can’t help my grin. “What?”

“You’ve never held my hand before when we walked Maizie together,” she says.

“Well, you’re my girlfriend now. And I want to hold my girlfriend’s hand when we’re walking together.”

Her smile turns warm as she gazes up at me. She gazes down at our joined hands. “I like it,” she says, her voice soft.

My phone buzzes with a text. I pull it out of my jacket pocket and see a message from my mom.

Hi, honey! Can’t wait to see you when you’re playing in Vancouver next week! Nana and Pop Pop are so excited. Nana is whipping up your favorite sweet potato casserole for family dinner.

I smile down at my screen and tap back a quick message.

Hi, Mom. I can’t wait to see you all too. Love you

I slide my phone back into my pocket.

“Sorry, had to text my mom back,” I say.

“Everything okay?” Bella asks.

“Yeah, all good. It’s been a while since I’ve visited my family in Canada. We’re playing Vancouver next week, but I’m going a few days early so I can visit them and so we can celebrate Thanksgiving together.”

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