All Your Tomorrows

NORA

“Lucy!” I called out the name on the cup of hot chocolate and set it down on the counter

A little girl bounced over to the counter to grab it with her mittened hands. “Thanks,” she said before returning to her mom who waited near the Christmas tree by the front door. The bell chimed as they walked outside, leaving the café empty once again.

“What are you up to this weekend?” Daci asked.

I spun around to face my boss standing at the cappuccino machine on the back counter, her red apron complementing her wavy black hair. “I already cleaned that,” I assured her.

“Of course you did,” she said with a knowing grin. Daci had owned the café for the past five years—since she graduated from Lancaster University. Her dad had promised her he’d help her open a business if she made straight As throughout college. Though, he probably never expected her to open a café, nor would he have approved of what took place through the sparkly strands of curtains separating the café from the room in the back. “You didn’t answer my question,” she persisted. “I asked what you’re doing this weekend.”

“Just staying in,” I said.

“Girl. You’re hot and single. College is supposed to be the best time of your life.”

I rolled my eyes. She knew about the betrayal I’d gone through over the summer. So, I knew she was just trying to get me back out there. But once you’d been deceived by two people you trusted implicitly, your walls just went up and were difficult to break back down.

“I’m gonna take out the trash,” she said before disappearing into the back room.

Motion by the front door snagged my attention. We were nearing nine—closing time—and I really wanted to go home. I turned to see who had come in and my head hitched back. A guy around my age moved toward the counter in low hung jeans and a black hoodie. If I were moving, my steps would’ve faltered. He was that good looking. “Can I help you?” I asked, trying to play it cool as he stepped up to the counter.

He glanced around, his green eyes moving to the curtains in the rear of the café before cutting back to mine. “I’m looking for someone,” he said, his voice raspy and unlike the southern drawls I was used to hearing in Virginia.

Of course he was meeting someone. He was way too hot not to be. “Oh, okay,” I said. “Would you like to order now or wait until they arrive?”

His eyes narrowed, seemingly confused by my question.

“We’re closing in ten minutes,” I explained. “So you might want to place your order now.”

“I’m not meeting someone,” he explained. “I’m looking for Nora.”

My head retracted as unexpected warmth flooded my insides. “I’m Nora.”

Relief washed over his features. “You are?”

I nodded, waiting for the punchline.

“Can we sit down?” he asked.

I glanced around, totally confused. Had Daci set me up? Was she watching on the cameras in the back and feeling proud of herself right now? She was always prying into my private life. Had she finally had it with my non-existent dating life?

Here goes nothing.

“Sure,” I said, moving around the counter. Once I stood in front of him, I realized he was a good six inches taller than me and I needed to tip my head up to meet his green-eyed gaze. He moved toward a table by the window, and as I followed, I tugged my hair band out of my low ponytail and subtly shook out my dark waves. He slipped into a seat and I sat down across from him.

“I’m not really sure where to begin,” he said, his hands folding in front of him on the table.

“How about with your name,” I smiled. “You know mine.”

“Kyler.”

I smiled. “Nice name.”

He nodded, though his eyes seemed to be avoiding mine.

“Did Daci ask you to come here?” I blurted out.

“Who’s Daci?”

“Nora, I’m heading out.” Daci stepped out from the back room. I expected her to apologize for interrupting—like she hadn’t set me up. But she didn’t. “You taking a break?” she asked showing no indication that she recognized Kyler.

“Just for a minute,” I said, trying to read the room.

“You better come in on Monday with some stories about your weekend. Stories involving hot guys,” she said.

I laughed nervously. I couldn’t believe she’d say something like that when a totally hot guy was seated right across from me.

She grabbed her keys from the cash register and moved to the door. The bell chimed as she pulled open the door. “See you Monday.” And then she was gone.

That’s when a cold chill rushed up the back of my neck, and my shoulders fell lax. My eyes shot back to Kyler. “How long have you been dead?”