Page 59 of Brews & Bartenders

“Yeah.” She continues working on her bouquet. “It may take a little longer, but that’s what happens with last minute orders. I sold them at a hell of an upcharge to cover our time. It’d be nice if Kate answered her phone though.”

“Well, let me know what time you head over to the banquet hall. If it’s before the game starts, I’ll come help you.” I’m going to stop by Kate’s house on the way to the game, also. It’s unlike her to not answer her phone. It’s usually glued to her hands.

“Thanks. I think I’ll be fine, though.”

“If you’re sure…” She’s the quietest amongst our little group, and usually does whatever the rest of us do. I don’t want her to feel like she’s carrying this burden on her own because I know she won’t speak up.

“Mom!” David yells from the front. I can’t tell if he’s scared or excited. I jump up and over the flowers, rushing to see what caused his outburst.

“What is it?” It takes me a moment to find him, and he’s by the front door. He’s not alone, though. Standing next to him…is Carlos. “Wh–, what are you doing here?”

He holds plastic sacks up in his hands. “You couldn’t make it for breakfast, so I brought it to you. I hope Emily likes waffles.”

“I love them,” she yells from the back room. How in the world did she even hear him?

“You didn’t have to do that.” I swear he surprises me in the best ways.

He walks forward, David by his side, and sets the bags on the counter. “I know. I might have also wanted to see y’all.”

“It’s because he likes me best,” David pipes in while rounding the counter to sit in the chair.

Carlos winks at me, “It sure is. Are you ready for your game this afternoon?” He pulls the meals out of the bags and sets them down.

David grabs one of the boxes and pops it open. “Definitely, we’re totally going to win.”

Shaking his head, Carlos hands me a box. “Don’t be overconfident. The only thing you can do is go out there and play your best.”

My son takes a bite of his waffle, no syrup or butter, just the waffle. He definitely didn’t get that from me. “I can do that.”

“Good deal.” He points to the bottom of the bag, “The syrup and butter is in there. Want me to get Emily?”

“Nope.” Emily walks in. “Emily is right here. I just had to finish the arrangement I was working on.” She ruffles David’s hair, “Is that waffle good?”

“The best.”

“If I get these flowers unloaded in time, maybe I’ll come by and watch you play.”

“Really?” His mouth is full. When he notices my stern look, he swallows what’s in his mouth before continuing. “That would be awesome. I’m going to have my own cheerleaders.”

We get through our breakfasts quickly. There’s nothing left in our boxes besides leftover syrup. Emily has gone back to the store room, and I’m cleaning up our mess. “Thank you for breakfast.”

“Not a problem. I figured you might be hungry.”

“You figured correctly.” I give him a kiss on the lips before backing up. Even though David has seen us kiss, I don’t like to do it too much in front of him. This is still newish for all of us. “I need to finish helping Emily before we go check on Kate and get ready for the game. You’re still coming, right?”

David glances in our direction at the question, waiting for Carlos’s response. “Yep. I’m picking up Marisol and Gabriela in an hour.”

“They’re coming, too?” His smile widens.

“Yep. They insisted on coming to cheer you on.”

“Awesome.”

If he didn’t have a big head about their victory they haven’t had yet, he does now. “Can you throw these in the big trash cans in the back?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He grabs the bags and waves at Carlos, “I’ll see you at the game.”

“See you there, buddy.” Carlos pulls me into his arms as soon as David is out of sight. “Anything else you need me to help with before the game?”

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