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"I'm not sure I understand what it is you four have to meet about so often," Laurie said, putting air quotes around the word meet. "If it wasn't for the fact that my straight-arrow brother was part of the group, I'd think you formed some kind of kinky sex club."
"Well, then I'm glad your straight-arrow brother is part of the group. I wish I could tell you what it's all about. Maybe I'll be able to someday, but right now it's best if you don't know."
"Is it like some secret cryptid book club? If it is, I'm really OK not being included."
"No, but it is cryptid related. Has Tom said anything about our new dating status?"
"No, but I tortured him a little about it. He seems happy. I think you two are great together. If things work out we could be sisters someday. That would be awesome."
"We're taking it slow."
"I can't imagine Chance took your rejection very well. How did that go?"
"He didn't say much about it really. He gave me a little grief, but less than I expected."
"Are you sure you're over Chance? Your face kind of lights up whenever you talk about him."
"Lord knows, he is hot as the griddle at Hairy's, that's for sure, but he knows how to push my buttons. And not in a good way."
"Are we still on for painting Hairy's Saturday night?"
"That's the plan, but I feel bad that y'all are giving up another Saturday night."
"This is Wilkins’ Gap," Laurie said. "What else would we do? Sharing pizza and paint rollers with Jim and Chance is so much better than any other option I have."
After Laurie went back to the consignment shop she runs for her parents on Main Street in Wilkins’ Gap, I went into the kitchen to help Gus finish up the lunch rush. He's my newest employee at Hairy's, and he's doing great. "Hi, Gus. Sorry I haven't been around much since you started. How do you like it?"
"It's good. Am I doing OK?"
"You must be doing well if Rick's leaving you on your own for both breakfast and lunch."
"Thanks. He'll be in soon."
As I made my way upstairs to my apartment above Hairy's Cryptid Cafe, it struck me that this seemed like home, though I only moved to Wilkins’ Gap a short time ago. My phone rang just as I opened the door. "Hi, Mama."
"Hi, Baby Girl. Are you freezing yet?"
"It's getting colder. We had a couple of inches of snow already."
"Ready to come home?"
"Mama, I told you I plan to stay for at least a year. I really like it here. We're repainting the cafe on Saturday night. A bunch of my friends and all the staff from Hairy's are going to do it as soon as we close."
We caught up on what I was missing back in Georgia where I'd lived my whole life until Uncle Harry died and left me Hairy's Cryptid Cafe.
"Do you have a date tonight?"
"I'm having dinner with a friend." Chance Munroe, a local cryptid hunting legend, was coming over to discuss a business proposition. I'm sure he'll find ways to make me question my recent decision to date Laurie's brother Tom. No one had been more surprised than I was to find myself in the orbit of three amazing men when I moved to this tiny town, with only a couple thousand residents. I expected to focus on the business. I didn't expect to have much of a social life at all.
"A male friend?" Mama asked.
"Yes, but he's just a friend." I was trying really hard to keep it that way, but Chance is my kryptonite. I laughed when that word popped into my head. I'd barely heard of cryptids before moving to Wilkins’ Gap, but now I was immersed in the cryptid hunting culture. Oh, I know kryptonite has nothing to do with cryptids, but it still sounds funny.
"I need to get some paperwork done. I'll call you in a few days."
"Remember, falling in love with a friend can be great."
"Yes, Mama. I've seen those movies too. Love you."
"Love you more, Baby Girl."