Page 17 of Sugar & Ink
Relief.
Disbelief.
Like she had built the whole damn place with her bare hands and still couldn’t believe it was standing.
I understood that look.
I understood it too damn well.
“Then maybe go home before tomorrow starts,” I said.
She looked at me again. “That almost sounded like advice.”
“It was.”
“Are you always this pleasant?”
“No.”
“At least you’re honest.”
“Usually.”
She grabbed another fry.
I watched her for a second, then looked away before she caught me staring.
Bad Habit was dark across the street except for the sign. My bike sat in front of the shop, black paint catching the glow from the streetlight. It had been a long day.
I should’ve been on that bike.
I should’ve been heading home.
Instead, I was sitting in an ice cream shop eating a greasy burger across from a woman who made me more curious than was good for me.
Josie reached for the ketchup at the same time I did, and our fingers brushed.
She pulled back first. Too fast.
I grabbed the ketchup and slid it toward her without saying anything.
She cleared her throat. “Thanks.”
“Mm.”
The silence stretched for a few seconds.
Not awkward exactly.
Just charged enough that I noticed it. And I didn’t like noticing things I couldn’t control.
Chapter Five
Josie
I woke up the next morning feeling like I’d been hit by a truck.
Not a big truck.
