“You too.” I wanted to say more, and from the way he was looking at me, he might have wanted to say more, too.

“So, um, I meant to ask…” Levi visibly reddened.

I cocked my head. “Yeah?”

“I overheard some of the people at Busy’s calling you ‘Babe’ over the last few days.” He scratched his neck, then made a face. “Doesn’t it bother you?”

“Uh … no?”

“Not even when the old guys say it?”

It took me a moment to get it. My lips twitched as I tried not to smile. “Why would it?” I asked innocently. A beat. I had to let him out of his misery. “Babe is short for Barbara,” I explained.

The relief in his exhale was palpable. “You had me going for a minute. It was driving me crazy, because I wanted to ask you but I wasn’t sure how it would sound,” said Levi. He shot me a sheepish grin. “Um, so I’ll … I’ll see you tomorrow, then? If we’re still on.”

“Yeah, of course.” Another beat. My stomach fizzed pleasantly. “Do you have a bike?”

“No.” His eyes twinkled. “City boy, remember?”

“Won’t be a problem.” I knew where I could get one. “Meet me here at ten o’clock tomorrow.”

“I’ll be here,” he said.

As I pedaled away, I resisted the urge to look around. It was a strange sensation to like someone else. Not physically, although there was that, too. But just the rapport and chemistry that came with finding someone who fit you. Someone who never seemed like a stranger, even though that’s what they were. I’d been part of a trio for so long that it was rough figuring out how to make it work with someone new, where it was just us two. El had been the first.

It startled me how very much I wanted Levi to be the second.

five

The next day, I borrowed a bicycle from the local bike rental for Levi. I left it next to mine in front of Busy’s. I’d never been eager to leave work before, but today I was counting down the minutes.

My excitement didn’t go unnoticed by Lucy, who threw me curious glances as I peeled the apron over my head. “Thanks for covering for me this morning,” she said, mouth working into a funny smile. She touched her jaw and winced.

“Still sore?” I asked.

She nodded. “Eating all your delicious food has contributed to way too many cavities.”

“Hey, you’re not blaming me for that.” I lobbed my apron at her.

“It’s a compliment!” She caught my apron and hung it up. “Anyway, I don’t want to hold you up.” She grinned. “Enjoy your date!”

I gave her a look.

“Day,” she said. “I totally meant to say ‘Enjoy your day.’”

I laughed and headed for the door. “See ya later.”