We’re still scoping out the booths and we’re walking so closely that our arms are brushing. I take the opportunity to loosely slip my hand into hers. My heart beats faster and I hold my breath. Looking over to me, she smiles and grips my hand tighter. We walk like that all the way to the car until we have to separate to get in, but our hands find each other’s again.

“Where are we off to now?” she inquires.

“It’s a secret, but you’ll like it, I think”

“Can I guess, at least?” she asks, trying a second time.

“Nope. I smile inwardly knowing that I made her curious.

Fifteen minutes later, we arrive close to our destination.

“Pull over. We’ll walk from here,” I say.

After another five minutes, we arrive at our real destination.

“Yonada?”

“Yah,” I say, holding the door open for her. “Almost nobody knows about it, but I’ve gotten pretty close to the owner over the years.”

“Spencer! Long time no see!” Misty greets, coming from behind the counter to hug me. We embrace for a moment before she finally asks:

“Who’s your friend?”

“This is Ashley, my…” I didn’t know what to call her. Friend? Teacher? Soon-to-be girlfriend (hopefully)? “Well, this is Ashley. Ashley, this is Misty, the owner.”

“Hello, Ashley. Nice meeting you.”

“Likewise,” she says while looking around the room. “You have a nice shop.”

“Thanks. I’ve put a lot of time and hard work in it,” she says while throwing a folded towel over her shoulder, “but I think it paid off.” Turning to me she says, “So Spencer, what brings you here? I haven’t seen you in a while.”

“Oh, you know. I was giving Ashley the grand tour of Lala Land and your place is an important stop on the map.”

“I see,” she nods.

Besides Madison, Misty is the only person who can read me like a book. She has been like a mother to me ever since I moved to L.A., and I don’t know what I’d do without her. Misty was there for me when I was figuring out my orientation and even helped me come out to Madison. Everyday after school during freshman year I would go to her café and sit in a corner by myself. Being the nurturing maternal like figure that she is, she came to my booth and eventually we talked. From there it was history, and ever since then I’ve considered her to be my go to woman whenever I have a problem, but also the person to share my victories with.