Page 56 of Here & Now

She sniffed the air. “It does smell good.”

“It’s cinnamon flavored.”

“Okay, then.”

He smiled, and they returned to the kitchen. She sat at the counter again while he poured coffee into two mugs. “Cream or sugar?”

“No thanks.”

He looked at her with surprise. He’d never known a woman who drank coffee without doctoring it up until it barely resembled its natural form. He set a steaming mug in front of her. “I’ll be right back.”

He strolled out of the kitchen and went into his bedroom, where he pulled on black athletic shorts and a gray Life Is Good T-shirt. Then he went into the bathroom, ran a brush through his hair, swiped on deodorant, and spritzed on some cologne. He didn’t bother shaving because he didn’t want her skipping out on him. A few minutes later, he returned to the kitchen and was pleased to find her still sitting there, sipping her coffee and looking more relaxed than she had earlier.

“Good?” he said.

She looked him over. “You look fine.”

He laughed. “Not me, the coffee!”

“Oh. Yes, it’s very good.”

He picked up his mug, took a long drink, and set it down. “Have you changed your mind about breakfast?” Please say yes.

She hesitated for a moment. “I am kind of hungry.”

“I’ll drive,” he said before she could change her mind again.

Surprisingly, she didn’t argue. “I just need to grab my purse and lock the house.”

He slid into flip-flops at the door and followed her outside. “I’ll wait in the Jeep.”

A moment later, she climbed into the passenger seat, and they drove away with the windows down, just the way she liked it.

“Before I forget, I have something to tell you. Last night, I ran into one of the real estate agents I know. She’s going to contact you tomorrow.”

She turned and looked at him with an unreadable expression. “Is she on the list you gave me?”

He nodded. “Kayla Nelson. I think you’ll like her.”

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know, but since I ran into her, I didn’t think you’d mind.”

“Thank you.”

She didn’t sound happy about it, but he figured it was because she didn’t really want to sell the house.

A few minutes later, they pulled into the parking lot of the Over Easy Café, one of the most popular breakfast restaurants on the island.

“It’ll be about a half-an-hour wait, but our gift shop is open if you want to browse while you wait,” said the hostess.

He looked at Bree, and she nodded.

“We’ll call you when your table’s ready,” the hostess said and smiled at him.

“Do you know her too?” Bree asked after they’d walked away.

“Not personally, but I recognize her from coming here so often. Why?”