It’s ten minutes till nine and the café is only a block away from home. It’s a warm July morning so I opted to wear a pair of navy shorts and a navy and white striped shirt with a pair of brown sandals I’ve never worn before. I haven’t been out and about in a long time. I’m so used to wearing my restaurant attire. I can’t do that this morning. I want to look nice. Not that it really matters. Meeting Adam for breakfast is just that, nothing more.
I walk into the café thinking I’m early, but Adam is already at a table, waiting on me. There isn’t a hair out of place on his head and he’s dressed in a pair of khaki shorts and light blue polo shirt. Very cute. His smile reminds me so much of the past. Or maybe it’s the butterflies in my stomach. Taking a deep breath, I smile and wave.
“Good morning,” I say, joining him at the table. There’s already a glass of ice water waiting for me as well.
He nods at it. “I would’ve ordered you a glass of orange juice, but I didn’t know if you still drank it or not. It’s what you used to always order back in college when we’d go to breakfast.”
He’s right. I’m surprised he remembers that. “You would’ve been right,” I reply with a smile. “I still my drink my orange juice every morning.” I pick up the glass of water and take a sip. “But the water’s fine too. Thank you.”
The waitress comes over with her pad and pencil, wearing a cute little dress. Her name is Catherine and she smiles at Adam before focusing on me. “Hey, Maddy. Do you want the usual this morning?”
Adam lifts his brows. “The usual? What might that be?”
Catherine giggles. “Orange juice with two cream cheese pastries with two to go.”
Adam laughs. “Nice. I think I’ll have the same.”
Catherine writes it down on her pad. “Perfect. Easy enough. I’ll be right back with your drinks.”
“So the pastries are really good here?” Adam asks.
I take another sip of my water. “Some of the best.”
It’s not long before Catherine comes back with our two pastries a piece along with two boxes with our extra pastries in them. I cut into one of my treats and slowly devour it. Adam watches me and smiles. “Not gonna lie. I was always fascinated with how much you loved food. Every time we would eat somewhere, you’d savor every bite.”
“It’s the only way to eat.” I cut another piece with my fork and slowly bring it to my lips. Closing my eyes, I concentrate on the flavors. Pure heaven.
Adam clears his throat and I open my eyes as he takes his first bite. He looks away and nods. “It is very good. I might have to get a dozen to go instead of two.”
“I knew you’d like them.”
His gaze drops down to my left hand but then he quickly focuses on his plate. “I’m assuming it’s okay for you to be out with me? I don’t want to piss off a husband or boyfriend.”
“You’re fine,” I laugh. “No husband or boyfriend. This past year I haven’t really had much time for dating. Been really busy with the restaurant.”
He looks up at me. “I understand that.”
“What about you?” I ask.
His grin widens. “No, I don’t have a boyfriend or husband.”
I roll my eyes. “Smart ass.” He doesn’t have a ring on his finger either. “Do you have a girlfriend back in New York?”
“More like an ex-wife,” he answers, almost as if he’s ashamed to admit it.
“What happened?”
He shrugs. “Work. I spent too much time away and we grew apart.”
“I’m sorry. Do you have any kids?”
“No,” he replies with a shake of his head. “I’m actually thankful for that. Don’t get me wrong, I want kids, but the last thing I’d ever wish on a child is to have a split family. My parents were married for fifty years before my father passed.”
“Mine are still together and about to celebrate their forty-sixth anniversary next month.”
We both finish our pastries and he orders another dozen to go. I’m tempted to do the same, but I’ll end up eating them all in one sitting if I do. They’re ridiculously addictive.
Adam leans back in his chair. “So tell me more about your restaurant. I’m really impressed with what you’ve done. I don’t think I’ve ever walked into a place that had everything so in order.” Before I can speak, he leans his elbows on the table and smiles. “Then again, you were kind of OCD back in the day.”
She points at me, giving me a half-hearted glare. “Hey, I told you before, I’m not OCD. I just like everything in place. Don’t make me stab you with my fork.”
He holds his hands up. “Okay, okay.” His gaze roams over to the empty table beside where there is a newspaper spread out. He reaches for it and shows me the article. The title reads Taste of Chicago Coming Soon! “I plan on being in town for this. Are you going?”
I nod. “I have a booth. I’m trying my luck at the pulled pork contest. My dad was the best at it. I took his recipe and added my own twist for the occasion.”
Adam seems impressed and I like it. “Oh yeah? I can’t wait to try it.” All of my excitement dwindles away when I spot a certain name mentioned in the article.
