Page 7 of A Place to Call Home
“Coffee. Hanging out.” She swung her key ring around her finger. “I wouldn’t mind that.”
“Pier View it is.”
She held up a hand to halt him. “On one condition.”
“Shoot.”
“Shooting is not my condition.” She managed to sound serious, though her eyes were laughing. “All I ask is that we not talk about real estate. It’s the end of a long work week, and I am dying to not think about comps or floor plans or subdivisions.”
He could appreciate that. He didn’t want to talk about real estate either. “And I’m eager to forget all about ledgers, payroll, and expense reports.”
“You’re an accountant?”
“By day.”
She leaned her forearms against the passenger side of his car, talking to him over it. “What are you by night, a superhero or something?”
“Is being awkward and boring a superpower? If it is, thenyes.”
She tapped the top of his car. “See you at Pier View in a few minutes, Awkward Avenger.”
“Not if I beat you there, Captain Realtor.”
She stepped back. “I need a better superhero name than that.”
“Last one there buys the other one coffee,” he challenged.
“Deal.” She hopped in her car without hesitation.
Craig was in his a second later. A second after that, he realized he wasn’t entirely sure how to get to Pier View. Ada had alreadypulled out. He opened the maps app on his phone. While it searched, he sent Bianca a text.
Getting coffee with Ada.
He popped his cell into the holder on the dash. The map pulled up. The café was only a few minutes away. Ada would get there way before he did. That was embarrassing. Still, he’d intended to buy her coffee all along, so losing the bet wasn’t a big deal.
Just as he turned the key, a text came through from Bianca.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!
He laughed. Poor Rob was likely being harangued with questions now. Served him right. Of course, Craig would be the one getting harangued by Bianca tomorrow.
When Craig arrived at the coffee shop, Ada’s car was parked and empty. He found her inside the café, already seated and grinning at him.
“Looks like the coffee’s on me,” he said, sitting across the small table from her.
“I honestly thought the contest would be a little closer. Did you come by way of L.A.?”
“Was that the wrong route?” He scanned the menu hanging above the counter. “Let me know what you want. I’ll go order.”
While waiting in line, Craig took a moment to breathe. He didn’t know why he was so nervous. He hadn’t felt like this over a non-date date since high school. His confidence hadn’t increased much by the time he’d paid for and picked up their coffees and headed back to where she was sitting. The Awkward Avenger, for sure.
“Here you go.” He set her drink down and retook his seat.Don’t be a loser.“I’m not allowed to talk about real estate, but I don’t know anything else about you, so I’m kind of at a loss.”
“Don’t worry. Captain Realtor to the rescue.” After a sip, she said, “How old is Jack?”
“Nine.”
“Third grade?” Ada guessed.
