Page 9 of Cody (Maine Silver Foxes)

A lina

My meeting with Laurie had started the ball rolling on the new space for my café. The owners and I had agreed on a price, and once the papers were signed, I could move on with my plans to get my café open. The first thing I planned to do was replace the carpet and paint the walls.

I was excited over the prospect of opening a new business and getting on with my life. I’d spent all of Friday ordering furniture and equipment and choosing artwork for the space. Then I’d ordered the lettering for the window and a sign for the outside

While I’d been busy working on all that, I’d also helped Mom with her plans for the new porch.

Once Cody had given her a visual of what she could expect from just doing a patch job, and the other issues that could arise later on, she’d agreed with his recommendation to build a whole new porch.

I agreed with the idea too. The porch as it was now lacked visual appeal.

We spent a lot of time out there, especially in the mornings when it was cool, and in the evening I liked to have a glass of wine as the sun set.

Nothing is going to ruin my day, I thought to myself as I drove to Mia’s place.

She hadn’t told me to bring anything, but I’d put together a charcuterie board to take to the cookout.

They usually went over well at gatherings, and while I didn’t know how many people she’d invited, I hoped there were enough offerings for everyone to at least have a sample if they wanted one.

As Mia’s home came into view at the end of a long driveway, I was impressed by the nice, cozy setup she and King had.

The trees surrounding the property gave them privacy from the road, and they’d cleared off enough land on the side of the house for extra parking.

Right now, there was a combination of trucks and motorcycles crowded into the area.

I pulled in where I could and cut the engine.

It was a beautiful day for a cookout. I exited my car and immediately inhaled the pleasing aroma of something cooking on the grill.

I decided to head to the back of the house since that’s where all the noise was coming from.

I circled the house to see King standing at a smoking grill. Beyond him were two picnic tables.

“Alina!”

My head whipped in the direction the voice had come from to see Mia stepping through the back door of the house.

Her excited tone drew the attention of everyone there, and suddenly it felt as if I were on display.

Talking ceased, heads turned, and all eyes were on me.

I kept the smile on my face and met Mia at one of the tables.

“Everyone, this is Alina.” Mia rubbed her belly as she spoke. “She used to live in Coldwater and recently moved back.”

“We remember you, Alina.”

I glanced to where two women were sitting and recognized them as friends from high school, Crissy and Sarah. They’d been best friends back then, and it appeared now that they still were. I smiled in their direction as they smiled and waved.

I recognized a couple of other faces too, Evelyn and Sammy, but none of the men were familiar to me, including the one who was sitting next to Sammy. I set the charcuterie board down and gave Sammy a little wave.

“Hi, everyone. I do recognize some of you.”

“Welcome home,” Sammy smiled. “The handsome man sitting next to me is my husband, Ben.”

“I’m Joy, Cramer’s wife,” a woman I didn’t know spoke up. She was a pretty blond with blue eyes. “Cramer is the redhead standing next to King by the grill.”

I swung my gaze back to the grill where a redheaded man now stood where one hadn’t been before. His wife beater revealed that the man’s upper torso and arms were tatted up. Both men acknowledged me with a slight nod.

“I’m Lincoln.” Another man held up his arm to get my attention, “And this is Max.” He pointed to the man to his left. “In case you haven’t figured out why you don’t know any of us guys, we didn’t grow up here,” he went on to explain. “We all served with King.”

“Except for Ben,” Sammy added. “Well, he was in the service, but not with King and his buddies.”

“Nice to meet you all. And to see some familiar faces.”

I noted to myself that the men were all handsome. It was easy to see that they were seriously into physical fitness, a habit left over from their military days I expected. Ben and Cramer were the exception, but even if they weren’t buffed up with muscles, they were still handsome men.

Mia took my arm and we began to head toward the door that led inside the house. “Not everyone is here. I expect a couple more people to show up.” She opened the door and led me inside. “Dotty didn’t want to come?”

I shook my head. “She’s having a new porch put on the back of the house and wanted to be there for any deliveries. We spent an entire day picking out new furniture and stuff.”

“The last time I saw her she mentioned the porch needed some work. So she decided on having a new one built?”

I nodded. “I’m glad she did. We drink our morning coffee out there, and in the evening while she’s watching her shows I like to have a glass of wine. I didn’t realize how much I missed being home until I got back.” We exchanged a look. “The peace and quiet, the sounds of nature.”

“I know what you mean. That was the first thing I appreciated when I moved back, too. There’s something to be said about going to sleep to the sound of crickets and frogs and the occasional hoot.”

I acknowledged her with a nod.

“Make sure you fix your mom a plate before you leave.” Mia opened the fridge and reached for a pitcher of what looked like pink lemonade. “So how did your meeting go with Laurie the other day?”

I was surprised that she didn’t already know the answer. News traveled fast in a small town. “Looks like I’ll be opening up a new coffee shop in a few months.” I couldn’t contain the excitement in my voice.

“Great! Congratulations! The locals will like having a coffee shop in the area, especially the retirees,” she responded sincerely. “I’m so glad it worked out for you. I hope you got a good deal.”

As she spoke, I noticed that she absent-mindedly rubbed her baby bump whenever she got the chance. Being pregnant looked good on Mia.

“I can’t complain. The owners were eager to sell.”

“I knew they would be. What would you like to drink? I have lemonade.” She indicated the pitcher in her hand. “Iced tea, coffee, beer—”

“Beer would be great, thanks.”

She turned back to the fridge. “Sam Adams or Miller? Oh, and I also have some White Claw, I forgot that I had some.”

“In that case, I’d love a White Claw.”

“I hope you like mango.” She held one out to me. “It’s the only flavor I have.”

It was my favorite. “Love it.” I popped the top and took a sip.

“Hey, are you busy next Sunday evening?”

I didn’t need to check my calendar to know that I wasn’t. I shook my head.

“King has invited his boys over to play a game of poker. Sammy is coming to keep me company. Why don’t you and Dotty come over too? We can put a movie on while they drink beer, grunt, and fight over who’s cheating.”

“I’ll run it by Mom, but don’t be surprised if I show up without her. It might interfere with The Golden Girls.”

Mia laughed. “Can’t say that I blame her. I love that show.”

Suddenly, I could hear the loud sound of a motorcycle heading down the driveway towards the house.

“That will be Cody and whichever woman is his favorite at the moment,” she giggled. “Evelyn is one of his regulars, but she showed up with Lincoln today.”

Evelyn. Figures. She was still beautiful.

It appeared that she hadn’t changed much from high school.

She’d loved the boys back then, and she’d always gotten whoever she’d wanted, whether he was with someone or not.

She hadn’t realized that her insecurities had pushed her into earning an unflattering reputation for being promiscuous back then.

It wasn’t a cute picture, no matter how old or attractive you were. The title was degrading.

My mind drifted to Cody, and I wondered who would be with him.

I didn’t have to speculate for long when I went back outside with Mia and saw him walking around the corner of the house, alone.

Evelyn might have arrived with Lincoln, but she didn’t waste any time rushing over to meet Cody.

My face twisted with disgust at the sight of her tight red shorts riding up the crack of her ass, but I had to admit that she had nice, toned legs.

She’s a little old to be dressed like that, I thought to myself.

Her tube top barely contained her breasts and exposed way too much skin.

Pretty, tanned skin that suggested that she either laid out in the sun or went to tanning salons.

I watched as she went in for a kiss, but Cody turned just in time for her lips to land on his cheek.

Next came her pout, and I turned away when she flattened her palms against his chest as they exchanged words.

The familiarity between them bothered me, and it was obvious what Evelyn wanted.

Damn...I wanted him too.