Chapter 2
Autumn
T he smell of coffee and the sound of people’s chatter envelops me as soon as I walk in the door. Ground and Down coffee shop is one of my favourite places. Alice gives me a wave from our table. After speed walking here in ten minutes, I am a sweaty mess and can feel my jacket sleeves stuck to my arms. My palms are also sweating from carrying the box of cheesecake that Edith gave me. Never have I been so thankful that I have my arms bare underneath this jacket. I had my painted-on jeans, ankle boots, and pink camisole in a bag in my locker, so that is what I ended up wearing. My hair was scraped back into a low pony for work, and I wore minimal makeup today. Mascara and lip gloss were the extent of my effort, which is probably good because I would have sweat it all off by now anyway. I peel the jacket off my arms and throw it over the back of the chair. Another caffeine worshipper opens the door, and the cool breeze dances over my bare arms and feels heavenly on my sweaty skin. Although as the cold of the air meets the heat of my skin, my arms immediately break out in goosebumps.
“How do you do that?” Alice feigns annoyance. “How do you have barely any make-up on, have your hair scraped back into a ponytail, you’re sweating like a nun in a cucumber field, yet still look so fucking good? I hate you.” She slides a huge mug of steaming hot coffee towards me. “Caramel cappuccino, with cinnamon on top.”
“Thanks, Ali.” I sigh as I lift the mug, taking a deep breath in of the sweet, hot liquid. “Work was crazy today,” I lie. “I’m sorry that I’m so late.”
“Hmmm, well, don’t make a habit of it!” she says, flashing me her winning smile.
Alice is funny by nature. She has long, light brown hair and green eyes. She has curves in all the right places, and takes no shit from anyone. She is someone that you either love or hate. There is no in-between with this girl. We are kindred spirits.
“Any more dates lined up this week?” Given that it is Tuesday, and she’s already had one this week, I expect there to be at least two or three more.
“Believe it or not, no. There aren’t any more dates this week, shockingly. Give it time, though.” She gives me a wink across the table.
We spend the next couple of hours catching up on work, what she plans to do next, and how long she plans to take off.
The evening light is starting to fade before I realise that it is almost six p.m. Given that I start work again in twelve hours, I need to get home, make dinner, walk Jed, and hopefully do some reading before trying to get a full night’s sleep.
“I’ll walk with you. I could do with an early night myself.” Alice interrupts my thoughts as I look out into the square at the setting sun.
The sweaty denim has dried out by the time I hoist my jacket back on. It is spring, so the mornings and evenings are chilly. As we leave Ground and Down , the cool breeze once again pricks at my skin, and I’m thankful that I didn’t leave my jacket at work.