Stripping Callum (Last Hangman MC Book 6)(8)

“Impressive,” Josie says bringing out a new batch of donuts. She puts them in the display, and we bring the coffee and donuts to a round table and sit down.

“Thank you.” A sense of happiness and belonging fills me, I haven’t felt this way in such a long time, it’s refreshing and overwhelming.

“How far along are you, if you don’t mind me asking?” Gail asks before taking a bite out of her donut.

“Twenty-five weeks.” I smile, rubbing the bump.

“That’s awesome! Is it a boy or a girl, or you don’t know yet?” Gail sounds legit super excited about this.

“It’s going to be a boy, I already picked out the name.” I beam.

“What is it going to be?” Josie asks me.

“Elijah.”

“Beautiful name,” they both say at the same time.

We fall into light chit chat about anything and everything, getting to know each other a little bit more before customers start coming in.

The morning rush is busier than I thought. Not a lot of people are taking seats. They all take their coffee and baked goods to go. Josie is taking care of the register as Gail and I make countless liters of coffee and hot chocolate. This isn’t like at your typical chain coffee house. We only have a few types of coffee, hot chocolate, tea, and a limited array of baked goods that varies depending on what Josie feels like baking that day. The only thing that is always available are the red velvet donuts. They are her signature treats, and I know why now. One bite into one of them and I was hooked for life. This is enough to make me stay in New Orleans forever. I legit would go into withdrawals without one every single day.

The stock of donuts and cupcakes quickly goes down, and Josie goes back into the kitchen to make another batch, leaving Gail and me to finish the morning rush. It slowly quietens down, and more people start to occupy the tables in the seated area.

Even though the crowd slowed, we still have quite a few people coming in through the day. I hadn’t realized how popular this place was. Some people from New York were on a trip through the country and stopped here because they heard all about Josie’s famous donuts. I was blown away by that fact alone.

The rest of the day went by with only one foam maker incident, and it wasn’t anyone’s fault. It really has a mind of its own and decided to produce steam when nobody turned the handle. Good thing it wasn’t in a pot of milk or it could have been a disaster.

Gail suggested we go out for dinner that night to celebrate my new job, and she felt like going out for some food but didn’t feel like going alone. Who am I to say no to the promise of amazing steak and veggies. I haven’t had a proper meal that didn’t consist of fried food in quite some time. Even though I tried to stay away from having burgers and fries twice a day for the past six months, it’s hard when that’s pretty much the only food they serve.

So here we are, at what seems to be a popular steak house, waiting to be seated. I’m excited and nervous about tonight. I haven’t had a night out with a friend in ages, and I don’t know much about Gail. It’s not like we are on friends level already even if she’s lovely. I have avoided being social since I left home. Maybe an impromptu dinner will be the perfect ice breaker and a good way to get to know each other outside of work. My nerves are still very much there and making me stress out. Any other time, I’d have upped and left right away when someone tried to get to know me. I don’t know why it’s different here, or maybe I’m changing and want to settle down.

“Earth to Anna, do you copy?” Gail laughs waving a hand in front of my face.

“Sorry, got lost in my own world.” I smile apologetically at her.

“You okay? We can go somewhere else if you want. Are you vegan?” she asks, horrified.

“Calm down. I’m alright, I’m not vegan. I love a good steak, and I’m good with eating here. It’s just so new to me to actually socialize,” I reassure her, or try to.

“Phew, thank God. You had me scared for a minute.”

“Would it have mattered?”

“Besides the fact that they only serve meat here, nope. I doubt you’d have been happy with just sides, though, and I’m pretty sure they are cooked with butter as well.” She frowns and waves at the waiter who is seating people. “We have a pregnant lady here.”

“What are you doing, we can wait,” I whisper loudly at her.

“What? You’re pregnant, and I don’t want you to go into labor early or pass out or something. It’s in your best interest. And my feet are killing me,” she whispers so only I can hear.

“Right this way, ladies.” The waiter motions for us to follow him, and we do. We pass the long line of people, and I don’t look at any of them, embarrassed that we are skipping the line.

“Come on, it’s not so bad. It’s not like you’re faking this little one.” She gently pats my tummy, and Elijah kicks once. “He loves me already!”

“I think he agrees with you for needing to sit down.” I blow out a breath as we sit down, and my back and feet instantly start to throb. You know that annoying throbbing you get when you’ve been on your feet all day and finally get to relax. It’s a pain for the first few minutes and then it’s heaven.

“I’m always right. I’ll take a Dr. Pepper to start. What do you fancy?” Gail asks me flipping through the menu.