Page 27 of Sticking Around

The sun is still high in the sky as I pour a rum and coke into a glass and take in all the patrons at the rooftop bar. My gaze slides to Brady, who is chatting with Conner, one of his closest friends on the team. I’ve met Conner a couple of times and he seems nice enough. He’s always polite when he orders a drink and tips well. He usually hangs out with his sister-in-law, Dani. I used to think that was odd, until I learned that his brother—Dani’s husband—died in a car accident a couple of years ago. Maybe they need each other and it helps the healing process.

While I have no idea what they’re talking about, I do note the way Conner’s gaze keeps straying to me, and the way he keeps whacking Brady and laughing like they’re sharing an inside joke. Brady, however, isn’t laughing and that’s odd for him when he’s in a crowded room. The man loves to be the center of attention. He never stands there, scrubbing a hand over his chin his eyes cast downward like he’s the butt of a joke, when he’s normally the joker. A strange uneasy thread of worry works its way through my body as I tear my gaze away.

“Hi Melanie,” Zoe says as she and her mother come up to the bar.

I lean over the counter. “Why hello, Zoe.” I smile at Gina. “Can I make you a drink?”

“I’d love a strawberry daiquiri.”

“Two daiquiris coming up.” I wink at her. “One virgin.”

I go to work on the drinks and drop a cute umbrella into Zoe’s. I step from behind the counter, hand Gina her drink and drop to my knees to give Zoe hers. Her eyes go wide with excitement and just seeing the happiness on her face fills my heart with joy, but it hurts just as much, which is probably why my conversation with Brady is jumping to the forefront of my brain. Maybe I do want kids. I just don’t want to bring them into this world.

“Mommy, an umbrella!” She takes it from her drink and holds it over her head and we all giggle. That’s when I feel Brady’s eyes on me, and I lift my head to find him watching, all the while the guys around him are laughing and joking, but his sole focus is on me, and I momentarily forget how to breathe.

“I have something for you,” Gina says.

I stand to my full height. “What, are you kidding? Why would you do that?”

“To thank you for this morning.”

She reaches into her purse and pulls out a gift card.

I stare at it and read the bold lettering. The Nook.

“It’s a small café. I’d love to treat you and your husband for lunch.”

Husband.

My gaze strays to Brady again and I try not to sound breathless when I respond. “Oh, he’s just a friend.”

“Sorry, I thought…you two seemed more.”

“It’s okay.” I see Brady turn from me when Conner puts his hand on his shoulder.

“Well, I’d like to treat you and whoever you’d like to bring, to lunch.”

What’s the catch? “Why would you?—”

She shrugs. “I actually inherited the place from an uncle I never knew.” Her eyes go wide. “Crazy, right?” I node in agreement. “Anyway, I’m pretty new to this town and learning my way around. It’s not easy meeting people when you’re a single mom. I just thought?—”

“I would love to come,” I tell her, understanding that the catch is she wants to meet people and possibly be friends.

“Great, I look forward to it. How much for the drinks?”

“On the house and I have a little something special for Zoe.” Zoe, who is busy playing with her umbrella, stops when she hears her name. I step back behind the bar and grab the plastic bucket and shovel I picked up for her today at the gift shop. I get an employee discount, so it was pretty cheap and the smile on the little girl’s face as I hand it to her…priceless.

“I love it. Fank you.”

Gina rubs the top of Zoe’s head and gives me a grateful smile. “That’s so kind of you.”

“My pleasure.”

“I really look forward to seeing you at the café. Bring a friend.”

“Will do.”

She steps away and I go back behind the counter, nodding to one of the hockey players when he comes up and gestures to me for three beers. I pour off three draft beers and slide them to him. He pays and I wipe the counter down as more players fill the rooftop bar.

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