Page 42 of Gravity

“You’re not that cruel. Now…” I lean over the bar, holding my hand out. “Give me the goods, woman.”

She laughs, making her way back. “I thought I’d be kind and buy us a happy helping of donuts from Ducks.”

“Be kind? Shortcake, I won that race fair and square remember?”

“Only because you had a head start and flicked water in my face when I was beginning to catch up.”

“You never caught me up. I simply slowed down to make you feel like you were getting somewhere. I’m nice like that.”

She rolls her eyes and quips, “You’re also an asshole at times.”

I laugh. Placing my arms on the bar so they are either side of hers, I hold her beautiful eyes with my gaze, the box of treats between us. “My apologies. It won’t happen again. Now, do I get the pleasure of spending time with a beautiful lady like yourself while we dine?” A smile tugs my lips when I see her cheeks flush, but she never takes her eyes off me.

“Flattery won’t get you anywhere, Mr. Bennett.”

“Anything is worth a try when it comes to donuts, Ms. Nelson.”

Before she has a chance to stop me, I steal the box from the bar top and make my way down to one of the booths that’s free, leaving the rest of the staff to continue serving.

“Why are you here doing a day shift anyway?” Nora asks, sliding herself into the booth seat opposite me.

Opening the box, I move my eyes over the dozen donuts and study each one as if I’ve never seen them before. I’ve eaten so many of these over the years I’m surprised my waistline hasn’t expanded. Duck Donuts was where I’d take Nora on a Saturday before taking a walk across Oceanfront beach. From chocolate chip toppings to maple icing and chopped bacon, these bad boys are the best in Virginia Beach and fucking divine.

“I’ve been known to work a day shift so I can have an evening off from time to time,” I say, biting into a Peanut Butter Paradise and groaning as the flavor hits my taste buds. “My God, I’ve missed these.”

“Haven’t you had any in a while?”

“I can’t remember the last time I had them at all.”

“You mean you starved yourself of them while I’ve been away? Now that’s friendship.”

“You see how good I am to you.” I grin.

Nora pulls the box toward her, and like always, analyzes the donuts before deciding.

“How’s the unpacking going? Have you finished yet?”

“Yeah, I’m all done, but man, I never realized how many textbooks I had until I worked through them all.”

“Years of hard work.”

“More like decades,” she says, finally picking out a donut covered in white icing and chocolate drizzle. “Dad used to buy me one every month—not that I understood any of it at the age of six.”

“We all understood the obsession you had with the ocean,” I chuckle. “You would drive everyone crazy wanting to learn about the different habitats. I think he bought you the textbook to keep you quiet. And now you’ve grown up to be this super cool Oceanologist.”

“I’m not quite there yet. I need to get through a few more exams first.”

“Well, if you need a lucky charm, I can be it.” I grin.

“I already have my luck in Scuttle.”

This surprises me. “You still have him?”

“Sure.”

“Is that so you think of me?” I joke.

“Oh of course. I’ve always thought you resembled a turtle.”