Page 78 of Perfectly Us
“Good morning.” I fill a mug with coffee and sit beside him at the bar. I’m still warming up to him, but I can tell he’s a good guy. And he makes my dad happy. That’s what matters most.
Dad finishes cooking french toast and makes each of us a plate before we sit at the table and eat. I used to beg him to make this when I was a kid. It tastes more like dessert than breakfast with maple syrup and powdered sugar.
“Remember to brush your teeth after you eat.”
I snort. “I won’t forget.”
“You too,” Dad says to Jesse. “Don’t want another cavity.”
“Hey, if not for that cavity, I wouldn’t have met you.” Jesse reaches over and grabs Dad’s hand.
I smile at them before averting my eyes. It makes me miss Alex. Work has made it hard to see each other as much as we’d like.
We’ve officially been dating for six days. Still crazy to wrap my head around, but in a good way. As for the sex? Well, we’ve done that a few more times too. I was afraid that the first time was some kind of fluke, that I would go back to not wanting things like that. But I only want Alex more now.
Jesse kisses Dad on the cheek before leaving for work. He has to meet a newlywed couple at nine to show them a property. They don’t touch a whole lot when I’m around. Dad’s still getting used to being open about it, I think.
Everyone’s journey is different.
“I didn’t get a chance to ask how your appointment with Dr. Larson went on Friday,” Dad says, washing off dishes in the sink.
“It was good.” I help him load them into the dishwasher. “I told him about me and Alex. He said he could see how happy I am. I don’t feel like I’m acting any different though.”
“It’s your eyes.” Dad adds soap, then starts the dishwasher. “I’ve noticed it too. You used to look so sad.”
“I did?”
He wipes his hands off on a dish towel and nods. “When your mom died, I had a similar look. Carried it around with me everywhere. You helped get me through it though, day by day. Being your dad will always be what I’m proud of most. Nothing else even comes close to that.”
My heart jumps up into my throat, and I hug him. “Love you, Dad.”
“I love you too.”
I head upstairs to take a quick shower and get dressed for work, thinking over what Dad told me. I don’t think Alex took away my sadness. He only helped bring out the good. Gave me an inner strength. His friendship, just like with the therapy and pills, is another thing that helped push me forward on my path.
The world is so much more colorful than I realized. Brighter. Sure, storm clouds roll in every now and then, but I know it will pass.
I check the time on my phone and grin at the photo of Alex I set as my lock screen. In it, he’s wearing his work uniform and flashing a flirty smile. A text comes through as I’m staring at his picture.
Alex:Have a good day at work! :) <3
All it takes is a sweet text from him and the butterflies go nuts in my stomach.
Work isn’t too busy when I arrive. The morning rush just ended, so I restock cups, make new pots of coffee, load more ice into the machines, and go into the lobby to wipe off tables. Things to keep busy mostly.
A song plays overhead, and I smile when I recognize it as the one Alex sang in the car on the way to the lake last weekend.
“Someone looks happy,” Amanda says, smiling at me as she adds pastries to the glass case.
“I’ve been hearing that a lot lately.”
“It’s a good look on you.” She pokes my arm before clicking her headset to talk to the customer in the drive-thru. “Hi, what can I get started for you?”
The bell above the door signals someone’s just walked inside, and I lift my head to greet them. “Hi, welcome to the Brew.”
The man is intimidating as hell. Tall, broad shoulders, and stern-faced. He screams authority without him even opening his mouth. He approaches the counter and looks me up and down, his jaw clenching.
“I’ll have a large coffee. Black.”
