Page 79 of Don’t Be A Stranger

“I’d suggest an iced chai latte with sweet cold foam.”

I don’t think Lily has gone a day without drinking that order. Rain or shine. Hot or cold. That girl loves her chai latte.

“Perfect.” Moose pats Preston’s shoulder. “He’ll have that.”

I look up at Preston, expecting him to reach over the counter and snap my wrist in half, but instead he rolls his eyes and walks off to one of the tables without another word.

When Preston is at a safe enough distance, I mumble, “He’s…lively.”

I type in the order, now feeling safe to do so.

Moose chuckles. “He just got back from seeing his mom so he’s in a bit of a pissy mood.”

I get that. I would be in a pissy mood too if I had to spend the summer with my parents, which is why I didn’t. Self-care and all that.

“Alright,” I begin. “What’s your order today?”

Moose grins. “Give me a cappuccino but I want half decaf and half caffeinated.” He waits for my reaction but unfortunately that’s an order that one of the regulars get.

Moose’s shoulders drop. “I didn’t get you this time, did I?”

“You’d be surprised how many people ask for that combination.”

“Goddamn it.” Moose flips off the menu above my head. “One of these days I’m going to think of the weirdest shit you can think of, man. You’re going to be dumbfounded, just watch.”

After handing Moose’s card back to him, I begin making the order but Moose remains at the counter, whistling. He tends to do that when he doesn’t know how to start a conversation. Or he doesn’t even want to have said conversation. I dare to look at him, my eyes narrowed, so he knows that I know he wants to have a conversation I don’t want.

Moose throws his hands in the air and drops them back to his side dramatically. “You already know what I’m going to fucking ask, man. So let’s just save each other the trouble and you just tell me.”

“Or—” I begin. “We can just not say anything because there’s nothing to talk about.”

Jesus, I’m starting to sound like Summer.

“One minute you and Summer were all over each other and now you’re not even speaking.”

“We weren’t all over each other.” I try to slide over Moose’s drink nonchalantly.

“Dude, you literally were. I’m not blind. I mean, I’ve had like a few concussions in my life, but I’m also not stupid.” Moose takes a sip of the coffee and shrugs. “And now she’s staying with Bethany and having two pissed off girlfriends in one place isn’t the brightest idea.”

I don’t correct him on calling Summer my girlfriend because I like the way it sounds—I’m also wondering what he could’ve done to piss Bethany off.

“She’s out of my league, Moose.”

He presses his hip into the counter, leaning in. “Obviously not if she seems to love hanging off you just as much.”

That’ll all pass. I know it will.

I slide Preston’s drink over the counter. I’m tempted to see his reaction to it, but I’m also not going to be the one to tell him to drink it.

“There.” I rest my hands on my hips. “You have your drinks and I’m busy, so please go away now.”

Moose looks around the empty cafe before taking another sip of his coffee. “Fine.” He licks his lips. “But I really think you should stop overcomplicating this.”

Moose calls out to Preston, now using the nickname sweetheart, and again I’m waiting for a fight to ensue. But Moose doesn’t seem to have the same concern.

“And for what it’s worth, man, I think you should go for it.” Moose clears his throat, now serious. “My girl is moving to a whole new country and yours is right in arm’s reach. Take advantage of that.”

Wait…Bethany is moving?