That Day by Karen Deen (best novels to read in english txt) 📕

“These are the best soft-shell chicken tacos I’ve ever tasted,” Asha tries to say as the sauce is running down from the corner of her mouth.

“I can tell by the way you’re wearing them.” I use my finger to wipe her face clean.

“Isn’t that the whole idea?” Asha giggles before taking another bite.

“All I can say is that you make a good friend for Seth. I’m sure he is under the same assumption,” I say, taking a bite into my taco.

“Why do you do that?” She looks at me questioningly

“Do what?”

“Always give Seth a hard time, and he is just as bad on you. Some days the things you say to each other, I wonder why you’ve been friends for so long.”

I can’t help myself, laughing out loudly. “Oh, he would love to hear that comment.” Putting my taco back down on my plate, I wipe my hands on the napkin. “To be honest, I can’t answer that. It’s just how it’s always been. In all the years I’ve known him, we’ve been close, and it’s just our way of showing we care. I mean, I can’t imagine being all cute and cuddly with him, telling him I love him, but we both know that no matter what life throws at us, we have each other’s back.” I shrug my shoulders at her and hope she understands what I mean.

“I have this vision of you and Seth in each other’s arms, hugging and telling each other how much love you have for one another. And to be honest, there is nothing cute about the two of you.” She looks pretty proud of herself, and I reach out to grab her hand, but she’s too quick, leaning back from the table.

“Just for that.” I grab her last taco off her plate instead and take a big bite.

“Kurt!” she squeals, and I try not to laugh and spit out food all over the place.

Lunch continues with light discussion; Asha telling me stories of places she would one day like to visit, and both of us planning a worldwide trip, where we would go if we had the money. I don’t realize how long we’ve been sitting here until I notice the rest of the tables have cleared out. The shadows from the large trees in the park are starting to get longer on the grass.

I catch a little glimpse of a shop across the other side of the park that I haven’t visited in years.

Standing and picking up all the garbage, I turn and walk to the trash can. When I head back to Asha, she is now standing too, looking at me and wondering what our next move is.

“I have a surprise for you.”

Her eyes open a little wider. “Oooh, tell me.”

“Then it won’t be a surprise.” Shaking my head at her and taking her hand, we walk across the park to the shop I want to show her. The park is a large square area that is bordered by shops all around it.

As we clear the trees on the other side, her eyes light up as big as saucers.

“Please tell me this is where you’re taking me.”

“To the hardware store. I know it was worth the wait, wasn’t it?” I chuckle to myself as she smacks me on the arm.

Crossing the road, we enter Susannah’s Sugary Treats, and this time it’s Asha dragging me behind her. There is no holding back my girl from the mouthwatering smell of cakes and sweets which is almost overwhelming.

It’s one of those old-fashioned type of stores that has the bell over the door and the long glass counter that displays all the offerings. White cane baskets lined with pink cloth and filled with pastries of every description are the first things we see. The top of the counter has several jars full of different types of cookies. Then farther along, the cabinet is full of all the most-delicious-looking cakes and sweets.

“I think I’ve died and gone to heaven,” Asha says as the elderly lady comes out from the back part of the shop.

The woman chuckles. “If I had a dollar for every time I heard that, I would be a millionaire by now. Instead, I’m still here covered in flour and chocolate and the size of a barn door from all the product sampling I do.”

“Well, I suppose that’s better than having dead people piling up in your store from all the sugar that has sent them to heaven.” Asha’s quick wit has the lady laughing while holding her sides.

“Oh, don’t make me laugh so hard, young lady. I’ll pee my panties. The joys of getting old.”

We all start laughing together.

“Now, what can I get you two lovely ones?” she asks, wiping her hands on her apron.

Asha looks up at me for help.

“No, this is all yours, baby. Pick whatever you want, and I’ll just help you eat it all later.” Rolling her eyes at me, she starts pointing out different things, as she replies, “Who says I’m sharing anything with you? A girl needs her chocolate fix, you know.”

“That’s right, young man. Take it from me, never stand between a woman and her chocolate.”

Stepping back and smiling at the sheer delight on Asha’s face, I don’t care if she buys the whole shop and eats them all herself.

Feeling my phone vibrate in my pocket, I take it out to see a message from Scott.

Scott: We need to talk.

Kurt: Is it urgent?

Scott: Not immediately. Later, but just us two.

Kurt: Roger that.

I can’t help but slip back into work mode. My mind, however, is not thinking good thoughts if he wants to talk.

What the fuck does he want from me? I’d be stupid to believe it’s any form of apology for the things that went on between us.

So that means it’s trouble, and I don’t like the unsettled feeling that gives me.

Asha’s laugh brings me back to where I need to be concentrating. She can be fixated on the sweets while I’m busy trying