Hate to Date You (Dating #4) - Monica Murphy Page 0,23

him. You met him, right?”

I’m sure I did, but right now, I can’t remember.

My sister’s eyes light up. “We should all get together soon! Like we did that night at Tuscany! That was so much fun.”

“Yeah, it was a blast,” I say weakly, grateful when the server approaches our table and sets our lunch specials in front of us. I thank him, and the moment he’s gone, I dig in.

And it’s just as good as I remember. Why is fried food so damn delicious?

“It’s a shame how there aren’t many people in here,” Caroline says as she twirls her fork in her chow mein. “I remember it always being so busy when we were kids.”

“It’s old,” I say, not caring that I have a mouthful of chicken. My sister probably doesn’t care either. I’ve done grosser stuff in front of her. “They need to fix it up a little. New paint. New windows. New lighting. New decorations. Fiercer dragons.”

Caroline smiles. “You always did love the dragons in here.”

“Yeah.” I shove aside the nostalgic emotions threatening to take over and focus on the here and now. Meaning my plate full of steaming hot food.

“I’ll talk with Stella and plan a get together. Probably in the next week, so keep your calendar open, okay?” My sister points her fork at me.

I nod, my mouth too full to talk. Like I have full calendar and need to mark off space in advance.

I give in to the impulse I’ve been fighting since I moved in with Stella and enter Sweet Dreams, breathing deep the pleasant aroma of coffee and freshly baked goods. It’s busy but not packed, and I’m guessing the lunch crowd is long gone since it’s after two in the afternoon. I position myself in the short line and check my phone, seeing that I have a couple of emails from previous clients, both of them wanting me to help sell their homes and hunt for a new one.

Without thought I forward both emails to my friend and former business partner in the office and ask Jeff to contact them. We made an agreement before I left that if I sent him any business and he sold them, I’d get a referral fee.

Looks like I’m gonna make a little money.

Slipping my phone back into my pocket, I check the coffee station, seeking Stella’s familiar dark brown hair and beautiful face. But I don’t see her. There’s an older gentleman working the espresso machine, and a teenage girl behind the register.

Huh.

When it’s finally my turn to order, I ask for a skinny vanilla latte and if Stella’s still working.

“Who wants to know?” the teenager asks snottily.

I’m momentarily taken aback by her question. Isn’t the customer always right? “Is she already off for the day?”

“Yeah, but she’s here. With our nonna.”

“Your what?”

The girl rolls her eyes. “Our grandma. Stella’s my cousin.” She looks me up and down, and I suddenly feel like I don’t measure up. “Who are you?”

“Carter,” I say, and watch her scratch my name across the cup before hitting the total button on the register.

“That’ll be $4.75.”

We finish the transaction and I go to the waiting area, watching the older gentleman move about efficiently as he takes care of the drink orders, one after another. He’s quick, I’ll give him that. As discreetly as possible, I let my gaze sweep the room, in search of Stella and her nonna. I spot them immediately, sitting at a table tucked away in a corner, Stella facing my direction. She’s smiling and nodding, and when her grandmother reaches out to touch her arm, giving it a shake, Stella bursts into laughter.

My chest tightens. She really has a gorgeous smile. And I like hearing her laugh. Something I haven’t heard in a long time since I don’t amuse her whatsoever.

Once I collect my drink, I contemplate leaving. Or I could settle in at an empty table and enjoy my latte.

But fuck it. Instead, I make my way to the back of the building, weaving through the tables until I’m standing directly in front of the one occupied by Stella and her grandmother.

“Hey Stella,” I say, my voice, my entire demeanor relaxed and hopefully approachable. I can’t help it, I’m curious. I want to meet another family member. One that might like me, unlike her unimpressed teenaged cousin.

Stella’s eyes meet mine, and I can tell I’m the last person she expected to run into. The smile on her face fades and I hate that I’m the