Page 42 of Naked Coffee Guy

Mac

We get in the car, and Maren buckles up before turning to me.

“Where to?” she asks.

I’ve been considering this ever since we stepped out of the shower. If I had my way, we’d be in bed all day. But breakfast is wearing off, and the fridge is limited on food. I like to keep some fresh ingredients in there at all times, which is why we lucked out on berries and breakfast foods. But there isn’t much else to choose from since I’ve been staying at Benji’s house the past few weeks.

“Well, I don’t know about you, but I’ve worked up an appetite. Let’s start with lunch, and then go from there. Any favorites?”

As she mulls over ideas, my guilt taps at my conscience. I haven’t even checked in on Benji. He’s probably fine, but yesterday’s state of confusion was concerning. The nurse on shift would get a hold of me if he took a turn for the worse or was too difficult, but I still feel pulled to check in, especially after another night away.

“How about Sandpipers, that place that serves those huge cheeseburgers right on the beach?” Maren asks, breaking me from my thoughts. Just the mention makes my mouth water. It’s also so different from what every other woman would have suggested. Most expect some fancy meal with a long wine list, only to order a salad and steal bites off my plate. The last date I had, I practically had to drag her to Hillside because all I wanted was a greasy burger and fries with a cold beer. Helena pouted the whole time, and picked at the salad she ordered when I refused to share my fries. It only took her an hour to realize I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Maren on stage. Let’s just say that when Helena threw her drink in my face before walking out, I only wondered what took her so long.

“That sounds like the perfect spot.”

The place is packed when we get there, so we opt for a spot at the bar. I hesitate for a moment as I look at the beer menu on the wall.

“Go ahead,” Maren says, nodding her head at the menu.

“It doesn’t bother you? I don’t have to drink around you, you know.”

“So, if we end up hanging out a lot more than today, are you just going to give up drinking alcohol?”

“Sure,” I say, not even hesitating. But at the same time, I realize what she’s saying. If this thing we have going gets serious, I could be promising to be sober alongside her. I’d do it. But at the same time, I really enjoy unwinding at the end of a long day with a cold beer in my hand.

“Order whatever you want,” she says, “I’ve been sober long enough that it doesn’t bother me anymore.”

I think back to the day I saw her on the rooftop. When she had that glass of wine in her hand. When I bumped into her because I already knew she didn’t drink.

It was a terrible day for her, a day when she found out she was losing her apartment.

Because I was the one who sold the building.

“I’ll have a burger with grilled onion and jack cheese, medium rare, and a Coke to drink,” I say to the waitress.

Maren shoots me a look, then she glances over the menu.

“I’ll have the same, but a Lagunitas IPA to drink.”

My eyes immediately whip to hers as soon as the words leave her mouth. The waitress takes our menus, while I figure out how to react here. It’s not my business. Her sobriety is hers alone to manage, and any direction from me would be an infringement on what is supposed to be her choice. I already overstepped when I made her spill her wine. But right now, there is no reason for this. We’ve had a good day, despite the turmoil from yesterday. I think she’s enjoying my company.

So what is she doing?

The waitress returns with our drinks, and my hand feels shaky as I pick up my soda. I try not to stare as she does the same with her beer.

“Mac,” she says.

“Yeah?”

“Put down the soda.”

I do, and she immediately picks it up, placing the glass of beer in front of me.

“For the record, I have always hated beer. I was always more of a tequila girl. Probably the Mexican in me.”

I breathe a sigh of relief, then take a long sip of beer. Fuck, that’s good. Half the glass is drained before I put it down, then I take her hands in mine.

“I just didn’t want to make you uncomfortable,” I say, “I know you said it was no big deal, but…”