Page 54 of Summer Holiday Lifeline

“I—sure?” Myles had no clue what that exchange had even been about, but it was clearly something Lucky felt strongly about. He got in a single, halting pat to Lucky’s back before his friend pulled away and tugged at the hem of his T-shirt.

“What would you like to eat?” The smile he gave Myles was his usual grin, though it might have been a bit too soft around the edges. “I think the table we usually use for staff is open. Or you can eat in here.”

“Actually, just two coffees to go. One for me, one for Steven. And maybe an assortment of pastries? Do you know what he likes?”

Lucky made a happy noise but quickly stifled it when Myles squinted at him. “I might.” He waved at the counter. “Have a seat while I put a basket together.”

It only took him a few minutes before he was handing Myles a literal basket with two stainless steel to-go mugs and some Tupperware dishes inside.

“A basket? Really?”

Lucky shrugged. “It’s what we use for guests who want to take some food on their adventures, or for things like this. They bring it all back so we can wash it, same as the café dishes. Steph will probably fill the basket with clean Tupperware and mugs we’ve sent over before. It’s a good system. We like to generate as little one-use waste as possible while still satisfying all the health codes.”

“Bet you could get canvas bags with your logo on them.”

Lucky tilted his head. “We don’t really have a logo, exactly. Just our sign.”

Myles pointed at the ceiling. “Ask Jet. He’s good at that sort of thing. He’s done branding for a few bands and small local businesses. Well, local in Calgary. He’s got a sense for it.”

“Worth thinking about.” Lucky gripped his arm and turned him towards the kitchen door. “Now quit stalling.”

“Stalling?”

“Ask Jet to make us a logo?” Lucky blinked at him. “Seriously?”

“I was serious.”

“I have no doubt. But you’re also dithering. As you do. So I’m helping you get over the first step.” He waved at the door. “I have customers to serve, and the bookshop has been open a whole five minutes already. Steven will be jonesing for that caffeine.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“Hey.” Lucky gripped his arm again, less imperiously than before. “You are allowed to want this.”

“Want what?”

“Something different. Something for you.”

“Coffee and a biscuit?” He hefted the basket. It was obtuse. He knew it. He knew Lucky wouldn’t let him get away with it even as he said it.

Lucky huffed. “Don’t do that. It’s been a long time since you got sober. Years. And longer since you and Ozzy. From everything you’ve told me in all those phone calls, there hasn’t been anyone since.”

Myles shook his head. “No one serious, anyway.”

“No one for more than scratching an itch.”

“No.”

“Steven is a good guy.”

It was Myles’s turn to narrow his eyes. “What would you know about it?”

“About Steven? We’ve been neighbours for years now. I know him. About you and Steven? I know you. You get a guy in your sights and you turn that way. You focus on him.”

“Like—what does that mean?” The basket handle creaked in his grip, and he forced his fingers to relax.

“You bring him coffee. Offer to help him count books.”

“Oh God. I obsess.” His gut turned over. “I’m doing that thing Ozzy always told me off about. Being too much.”