Page 12 of Tender Embrace (The Next Chapter)
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Trisha
“I still can’t believe that you were willing to get up so early to meet me for breakfast,” I said to Penny as I opened the door to let her in.
“Since you wouldn’t tell me about your date on the phone, what choice did I have?” she responded, heading directly over to the coffee pot. She poured herself a cup, took a sip and let out a heavy sigh. “Now that’s better.”
“Might as well have a seat. The banana nut muffins just came out of the oven. I know they are your favorite,” I said, placing them all on a serving tray.
“Yes they are, but not usually this early in the morning.”
“It’s almost ten,” I reminded her.
“And I went to bed at four this morning. Remember, the bar closes at two, and then I have all the cleanup and paperwork to do. It’s…getting to be too much for just me. I hate to admit it, but I might need to hire a bartender.”
“Or a manager. I know you love tending the bar. Mostly because you enjoy giving advice,” I teased.
She huffed at me. “At least they are smart enough to take it. I bet you didn’t even get any action last night.”
“No I didn’t. Then again, I wasn’t looking for any. We are as different as the types of books we read. I read contemporary romance and you read”
“Erotica. Cause you know I like…spice.”
“As you like to remind me all the time.” I liked spice just not as hot as she does. “Now, do you want to hear about my date or not?” I asked as I sat down and grabbed a muffin.
“That’s why I’m up.”
“He asked me out again,” I stated.
“Good. But why not back up and tell me about yesterday’s date before we discuss the one that hasn’t happened yet,” she suggested.
“We went out to a pub.”
“Not mine,” she glared at me.
“Yours is more of a bar, with bar food. This was more like a family pub. And the food was amazing. The owner is a professional cook who…”
“Are you dating the cook?” she asked.
“No.”
“Then I don’t want to hear about him. Unless he’s single and you think I’d like him,” she stated.
“I didn’t meet him, so I have no idea. And can’t you let me tell the story the way I want to? Why does it always need to be the short version for you?” I asked.
“Because I don’t have the summer off like you do,” she replied.
“For the record, I don’t have the entire summer off. I actually have five weeks, that’s all. And even with that, I have work to do, like fill an open position for a teacher that retired at the end of the school year.”
“Then maybe you don’t really have time to date, what’s his name, again.”
“Mikal. And I have time to date. It’s not like we are going to see each other every day or anything like that,” I said.
“When are you seeing him again?” she inquired. The look on my face must’ve given it away. “You do have a date, right?”
“Yes. We just…didn’t set up a day yet,” I reluctantly admitted.
Penny rolled her eyes. “Have I taught you nothing? Always end the date with a definite plan or it never happens. He probably isn’t going to call you or he’ll leave you hanging for when he is bored and can’t find anything to do.”