Page 27 of Lemon Pound Cake Club

I turned around and saw Zaire with a paper bag and a drink carrier.

"You left this morning without telling me."

"You were sleeping, and I went for a run super early. It was still dark out."

"So, you punished me by making me miss sunrise?"

"I figured you deserved the extra sleep."

He gave me a warm breakfast sandwich, then sat down in the rocking chair next to me.

"I stopped by that little café outside the gates."

"The one with the blue awning?"

"You've already noticed it?"

"I notice everything." He looked sideways at me.

"That I know."

He knew me well enough to understand that noticing things was more than a habit for me. It was part of who I was.

We ate quietly as the neighborhood carried on around us. A jogger passed with two golden retrievers.

Down the street, someone hurried to roll their trash bins into the garage before anyone saw them from the road.

Right then, my phone buzzed.

Lemon Ladies

Nia: Good morning, beautiful people!

Tasha: Mine just left for school. Somebody pray for them teachers.

A picture popped up a moment later. Mason stood next to a backpack hanging upside down, grinning with pride. I laughed so hard, coffee nearly came out of my nose.

"What?" Zaire asked.

I passed him my phone, and he smiled.

"They've adopted you already."

I looked across the street at the women starting their day. Three days ago, they were strangers. Now they felt like neighbors, maybe even the start of friends.

I sipped my coffee and leaned back into the rocking chair. My phone buzzed again.

Lemon Ladies

Nia: Who's free for a walk this evening?

Simone: Depends. Is it a real walk or one of your "walks" where we end up at somebody's house eating?

Nia: Mind your business.

Tasha: lmaooo

Jade: I'll be home around six.