The Best Year Yet

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

I crashed pretty quickly the previous night once I got changed and snuggled in bed. My alarm clock went off at 6:00 and I headed to the bathroom to get ready for the day. After I finished getting ready it was 6:40. I went downstairs and texted Brady that we should be good to leave at 6:50.

"Good morning, sweetie." My mom said while sitting on the island drinking her morning coffee.

"Good morning, mom." I replied

"How was hanging out with Brady last night?" She asked

"Good. He is really nice. We talked a lot and I'm really happy he and his family moved in. I think it will be nice to have friends to hang out with next door." I said

"Yeah, Alex was really nice. I'm glad I have a single girlfriend to hang out with. It'll be nice to get back out there." She said, laughing.

"Yeah, I think that will be good for you. I forgot to ask you last night, could we have a bonfire after the championship game here on Saturday?" I asked

"Yeah, I think that will be a lot of fun." She said

"Okay. Thanks a lot, mom. After school today I'll pick up some s'mores materials." I said

"Okay. Just put it on the card. Have a good day sweetie." She said

"You too. Love you." I said as I walked out towards my car.

"Good morning Nicole." Brady said as he met me at the bottom of my drive. 

"Good morning Brady." I replied

I unlocked my car and hopped into the driver's side while Brady got into the passenger's seat.

"So where is this place you're taking me to?" He asked as I pulled out of my driveway.

"It's called OI Coffee. It's this really cute place on the water and they have fantastic coffee and other breakfast foods." I said

"Oh, nice. What do you usually get?" He asked

"I usually get a medium caramel iced coffee. On the days I don't eat breakfast at home I usually get a blueberry muffin or an egg and cheese sandwich." I replied

"Oh, nice. I really like coffee so I'll probably just get that and maybe a sandwich." He replied as we pulled into OI Coffee.

We both got out of the car and Brady held open the door for me as we headed into the shop.

"Good morning Nicole and this new young man." Lawrence said, laughing.

"Good morning Lawrence. This is Brady. He's my new next door neighbor." I said

"Oh, that's nice. Well, what can I get for you guys this morning?" He asked

We both ordered our food and headed to the pick-up area while Lawrence and his employees made our orders. Once our food was finished we grabbed our orders and headed towards the door.

"Have a good day Lawrence." I said, smiling.

"Right back at ya!" He said, smiling.

Brady opened the door for me and we both headed back to my Jeep.

"He seemed really sweet." He said

"Yeah, he is. My family has been going to his shop for as long as I can remember. His wife died about four years ago. His kids moved back into town around that time." I said

"That's nice that his kids moved back home, though. I bet he really liked that." Brady replied

"Yeah, he really did. I love the shop a lot. It was a big part of my childhood and Lawrence is practically family to us." I replied