Page 40 of The ABCs of You & Me

I can practically hear her deciding whether or not to tell me. “I’ve got an appointment in the morning, and I’d really rather not have to drive down right before it.”

“Is everything okay?” I ask, sitting up.

“Yeah, no worries, it’s probably nothing.” She’s being overly cheerful and I want to call her on it, but I also don’t want her to decide not to come.

“When do you think you’ll get here?”

“Probably late afternoon? We can do dinner. I’ll make your favorite.” Which means Mom’s bringing lasagna.

“Well, if that’s on offer, come whenever you’d like and stay for however long you think is best.”

I feel her chuckle in my bones. That soft barely there laugh she’s always had. “I’m not sure your father would like me to stay too long.”

“I don’t think he’d like that either,” I agree.

My parents are attached at the hip and have been since I can remember. My mom’s sister told me once that they only ended up together to spite her family. Sometimes I think my mom’s whole family makes things up because they still aren’t thrilled with the marriage. Dad was always seen as less than by my grandparents, and even if they treated me well, I picked up at a young age that they were never overly welcoming toward him.

“Okay, my dear, I’ll see you tomorrow around three probably. I love you.”

“Love you too, Mom. See you tomorrow.”

“I’ll have the ’shrooms on toast with a side of bacon please,” I say, handing the server my menu.

“And you, sir?” they ask Foster, who has been switching between the Epiccc Waffles and the shakshuka.

“I’ll have the shakshuka, please, extra spicy. Thanks.”

Well, there goes any chance that I’ll try it now,I think as he hands over his menu.

“Oh, actually, is there any way I could have chilis on the side instead of in it?” The server lets Foster know that it won’t be a problem, and he beams over at me. “Now you can try something new today.”

He has no idea how many new things I’ve already tried since he walked into my office.

Foster lifts his freshly squeezed orange juice. “To reconnecting with old friends and new experiences.”

I lift my grapefruit juice and clink our glasses before taking a sip, my lips immediately puckering as the juice hits all the sour taste buds.

“Sour?” Foster laughs.

“Yes, but in a good way,” I assure him. “So, what did you get up to yesterday?”

Foster suddenly looks sheepish. “Would you believe me if I told you I didn’t even change out of my pajamas? I basically slept all day.”

“Did you forget we work together? That doesn’t surprise me at all.”

“What about you?”

After I had talked to my mom, I’d did some laundry that I still haven’t put away, chatted with Cass a bit, and spent way too long scrolling through every social media app I have. “Not much. Recovered from the week.” I shrug.

Foster tips his head back and groans, the bruise on his jaw more obvious with the change of angle. “I hope we get a break next week. Because if this is what we can expect for the next three months, I don’t think anyone will survive it.”

“Foster!” I hear a woman’s voice call from behind me and watch as his face goes red.

“Jessica is here,” he grits out right before she leans down on our table, her ample cleavage on full display in a way it never is at work.

“Oh my god, Sophie!” she squeals when she notices me. “Foster didn’t say you’d be coming.” If I had to guess, I’d put money on Jessica pre-drinking before arriving this morning. “Are you two on a date?” she whispers loudly.

“No!” we both say at the same time.

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