Page 57 of Close Match

“Okay, I take it back.”

“What’s that?” Monty asks. We’re waiting in line to get our coffee, and the smells infiltrating my nose are changing my mind from earlier.

“That sandwich in the display case looks delicious.” My stomach gives a deep growl as if to back me up.

Monty bursts out laughing. “Not hungry at all?” he teases me as we step up to order. “Hey, Amy. How about we try a Mosby, a Federal, I’ll have a large dark roast and…” He turns to me.

“A medium caramel mocha latte,” I add on. “What did you order anyway?” I ask curiously.

Monty grabs one of the menus in front of us and holds it out to me. “Which one of us is eating which?” Because both sound delicious.

“I’ll make sure the sandwiches are cut in half,” our cashier, Amy, assures me. “This way, you don’t have to choose. Soup or salad?”

“Salad for me,” I interject.

“The soup,” Monty says.

“Okay, that will be…” I don’t wait. I’m shoving my card into her hands.

“To say thank you for picking me up at the airport,” I explain when Monty squawks in protest.

“You won’t be so quick the next time, Linnie,” he growls.

I shrug. It’s this time that mattered.

“Since we’re slow right now, I’ll bring your food out to you in just a few minutes,” Amy assures us.

Turning, I spy a table near the old stone fireplace. “Do you mind if we sit over there?”

“Not at all.”

Moments later, I’m being warmed by the fire crackling when a sweet dog comes up and butts his head against my leg. “Hey there, gorgeous.”

“That’s Cody,” Amy says as she drops off our drinks. “He’s completely friendly.” I immediately reach down and scratch behind his ear. “And he just became your new best friend,” she laughs. “When you’re ready to eat, just tell him to lie down. He won’t beg too much.”

“Thanks, Amy,” Monty calls out as he takes a pull of his coffee.

“My pleasure.” She scurries away. I’m picking up my glass to take a drink when I notice the pumpkin drawn in chocolate over the foam.

“No way! Did you see this?” I exclaim. I stop scratching Cody, who whines pathetically. Monty laughs and resumes my job petting him while I pull out my cell, take a shot, and send it to Bristol. Picking it up, I murmur, “If it’s half as good as it looks…” Then I take a sip.

“This mug holds liquid heaven. After the crap I dealt with while I was away, I’m being given a reward.”

Monty frowns. “You didn’t enjoy the time with your sister?”

“Oh, no. Not that. Never. Bris is wonderful. The baby is healthy and growing. There was other crap I had to deal with that was unpleasant.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” he offers. I open my mouth to say no automatically, but something makes me want to say yes.

“Can I take a rain check on that?”

“Of course.”

“It’s not that I don’t appreciate the offer. It’s just all twisted up with emotions about my Mom I’m not ready to face yet.”

His sharp eyes narrow over the rim of his cup. “The offer doesn’t have a time limit, Linnie. And as you might have noticed, I’m not going anywhere.” His voice holds a wry note of self-deprecation. I tip my head to the side. I’m just about to ask him why not when Amy arrives with our sandwiches.

And suddenly, I’m not just hungry; I’m ravenous.