Page 69 of The Lessons

“Yeah, why not? I have to clock out first. Should I meet you over there?”

I chose a table in the back of the mostly empty café after ordering myself a decaf cappuccino. Just as I was sitting down, Ainsley came through the door, looking tentative and somewhat sullen. I gave her a little wave and met her at the register.

“What would you like? It’s my treat.”

Her lips moved into a flat smile, her blue eyes unwavering. “Thanks, that’s really nice of you. Just an espresso would be fine. I can’t stay too long.”

“No prob.” I gave the barista a little nod, and he started making her drink. “You headed back home after this?”

“Nah, I have to go grocery shopping. My brother came over to my apartment the other day and ate all my food.”

Apartment?

“Oh, wait, do you not live with them?” I cleared my throat as I paid for the espresso. “I mean, with Brad and Ryan?”

This made her laugh as we took our seats. “Ha, no. There is no way I could live with those guys full time. I was only over last night because Ryan promised to feed me, to make up for—”

“Eating all your food?”

She smiled. “Exactly.” She reached out to grip the small porcelain cup, her thumbs threading themselves through two holes along the edge of her well-worn sweater.

“That was nice of him, I guess?” I hoped my interest in her brother wasn’t too obvious.

“Yeah, he’s a good guy. Like a genuinely excellent human being. Too bad he’s got the metabolism of a racehorse.”

“Guys always do, right?”

“It’s so unfair,” she agreed. “I had a friend in high school who ate three cheeseburgers at lunchevery day, and he was still as thin as a rail. I want to come back as a guy in my next life.”

“Seriously. Me, too. Ugh, now you have me wanting a cheeseburger.”

“I know. Me, too! Sorry!”

I smiled. “No worries.”

“So.” She paused, looking around the café. “You want the scoop?”

Scoop? Oh, right. The scoop on Brad.Must act concerned about Brad.

“Yeah, so, I don’t know him that well, but I feel bad cutting out on him last night. What do you think I should do?”

She took a sip of her espresso, contemplating her answer. “Honestly?”

I sat up straight and nodded. “Please.”

“I don’t think you should do anything. That man is used to women fawning over him. A little hard-to-get action is exactly what he needs, you know, to keep his interest.”

“Hmm.” I paused, thinking over her suggestion. “You sure?”

“Yeah, trust me on this. I’ve known him since I was a kid.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. He and my brother were college roommates.”

“Ah, I see. Where was that?”

Something changed in her face as she recalled, “Berkeley.”

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