Page 28 of Chance of a Lifetime

If only you knew.

“He lied and told me he went to a different high school and worked at the local gym, but really he just stole hubcaps and ran scams with some of his buddies. It turned out he wasn’t even a high school senior. He was twenty!”

“What happened to him?”

Cora let out a huff. “My dad used to be the police captain in this city. What do you think happened? They threw the book at him for being with a minor.”

Liam swallowed hard. He knew the basics of the law, thanks to the information the angels had bestowed on him, but it was strange to think how different things were in this modern world. Back in his time, most women were married with children by the time they were seventeen. And a boy was considered a man even before that age.

Cora drove them into the older part of the city. As she pointed out landmarks and chatted about her high school days, Liam grew increasingly miserable. It was hard enough to accept that Cora wasn’t exactly the sheltered, innocent girl he remembered, but to have to sit and hear about all her past boyfriends? Remaining silent, he did his best to appear unfazed. He had an understanding of the mechanics in this world, but no true context to help him acclimate to the new social norms. And they were a far cry from those of his old life.

He took a gulp of the drink she’d handed him earlier, then froze. Holy mother of—He forced it down. Sputtered. “What is this?”

Cora glanced at his cup. “Coffee. I was on autopilot when I made it, so I added my usual cream and sugar without asking. You don’t like it?”

He took another sip just to be sure, then made a face. It was worse than the swill at the Goose & Gander tavern. “I’d prefer a cup of tea.”

“Tea, huh?” Cora looked like she was trying to keep a straight face. “Like in a china cup, or...?”

He shrugged. “Doesn’t matter.”

Her mouth twitched. “And crumpets?”

Liam perked up. Now, he wouldn’t say no to that. A nice fat crumpet dripping with melted butter and honey. “Have you any?”

Cora just laughed and shook her head. Then she pointed out a community swimming pool and launched into an account of her and her friend Suzette’s high school escapade involving boys and secret midnight swimming.

Liam grimaced, plunked the coffee in the cup holder and glared out the window. One way or another, this task was going to be the death of him.