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“Thanks, I’ll take you up on that and I’ll be back by noon.”
“Twelve-thirty, please.”
“Twelve-thirty, then.”
I’m already packing up my binders when Hank clears his throat.
“I’ll just take my binder for the co-op,” I tell him, setting two of the binders back on my desk.
“You do unplug after you leave for the day, right?” he asks, not for the first time.
“Of course, but if I don’t have something to take notes with and I get an idea, I fixate on it until I can write it down, so I promise my binders not only help me stay organized, but they really do help me unplug.”
He nods and says, “Good.”
“I’ll be back soon. Can I get you anything?” I ask.
“This is your lunch, Sam, not time to run errands for the office, but I appreciate it all the same.”
My tote is ready so I leave out the side door of our suite which takes me right to the parking lot. My sedan chirps as it unlocks and seeing that the sky is clear, I decide to see if the cafe has any tables open on their back patio.
As usual, there are only a few cars on the roads, especially since most people aren’t taking their lunch breaks yet, and there are a few spots open in front of the cafe. I park, grab my tote, and walk into the calm space. Sarah is at the counter, cleaning the espresso machine, when the bell above the door jingles.
“Sam, lovely to see you! I don’t think I have a group order that came through,” she says with a frown while unlocking her tablet.
“I’m just here for lunch, I have a longer break today.”
“Oh excellent,” she says, looking back up at me. “Would you like your regular?”
My heart warms. I have a regular order that the owner knows just like those born here in Greenstone.
“Yes, please. If there’s space, I’ll sit out back,” I say, smiling at her.
I pay and while Sarah pours me an iced coffee with a splash of oat milk, I look at the mural along the wall. Something about it draws my eye every time I’m here. Maybe one day I’ll meet the artist, Fiona.
“That sounds like a great plan with this weather, I’ll bring your food out when it’s ready.”
“Thank you so much,” I tell her, taking the coffee and weaving my way through a few tables, only seeing a few people seated, and they’re either on their phone or their device. The door to the patio is propped open and a soft breeze is coming through. I already feel the tension from work dissipating as I set my tote on a chair next to the table in the corner.
My watch vibrates.
Tommy: Can I pick you up for the meeting tonight?
I pull my phone out and start typing, my heart fluttering.
Sam: Of course. Can I pick up beverages this time?
Tommy: You can.
Tommy: Can I take you out for dinner on Thursday?
Tommy: To be perfectly transparent, I’m asking you on a date.
I couldn’t hide my smile if I wanted to.
Tommy Landen just asked me out on a date.
Chapter 14: Tommy
