The counter is packed with mostly gray-haired old men making small talk with each other, and the waitress, wearing a blue uniform, who is refilling their coffee. None of them seem to notice that we’ve come in until the woman glances up and spots us.

A huge grin spreads across her face, making her round face appear even more like a perfect circle. Her dark hair has a lot of gray streaks through it—very noticeable because of the way she has her braids pulled up—and she seems more like a grandmother rather than a rabid wrestling fan.

“Xavier Cold!” she exclaims as she sets the pot down and scoots around the counter. “Boy, you better get over here and give me a hug!”

The moment she embraces him, Xavier wraps his huge arms around her petite frame. “It’s so good to see you, Nettie.”

She pulls back and then abruptly smacks him on the arm. “Boy, what’s the meaning of staying gone for over two years without a goodbye?”

He closes his eyes and sighs. “Come on, Nettie. You know I hate writing.”

She shoves her hands onto her tiny waist. “Would it have killed you to call us more often than twice a year?”

He nods. “You’re right. I’ll try harder, I promise.”

She narrows her eyes at him. “You’d better. Just remember you aren’t too big for old Nettie here to whoop your butt if you don’t act right.” Nettie’s eyes flick to me. “Speaking of acting right, who do we have here?”

“Nettie, this is Anna, my…friend.”

Being introduced as just his friend hurts a little. I know we’ve just had this talk, and this is exactly the kind of relationship I should have with Xavier, but it doesn’t stop me from wanting him. The fact that he’s given up his pursuit so quickly stings.

I extend my hand and Nettie’s smooth, brown skin makes contact with mine. “It’s very nice to meet you, Nettie.”

“Mmmm hmm, you too.” She lets go of my hand and her gaze returns to Xavier. “I can tell she ain’t from around here. Way too sweet. Don’t you be taking this pretty little girl down to the Block, Xavier, you hear me? A girl like her doesn’t belong down there. Hell, a girl like her doesn’t belong in a dump like this either.”

“I heard that!” the cook yells from across the counter.

She waves her hand dismissively. “Oh, hush, Carl. Ain’t nobody talking to you. Go ‘head, Xavier, sit wherever you want, honey. I’ll bring you out some water.”

“Hey, Carl,” Xavier tosses over his shoulder as he pulls me toward a corner booth.

“What up, X! Good to see you, brother,” Carl answers as he pulls the white cook’s cap off his head, wipes his brow with a dish towel, and goes right back to cooking without washing his hands, grossing me out a bit. But I refuse to be rude.

Xavier sits across from me. “Don’t mind Carl. That skinny little fucker is harmless.”

“I heard that too! Don’t forget who taught you all those wrestling moves before you went and got a real trainer. I can still take you,” Carl taunts Xavier.

Nettie smacks Carl on the butt with a dishtowel. “Hush, you old fool. Everybody here knows you didn’t teach our boy a damn thing. So quit flapping your gums and get back to what you’re actually good at—”

Carl waggles his bushy, white eyebrows at Nettie. “You know what I’m good at.”

Nettie twists her lips. “Yeah, cooking, fool. Now get back to it. I’ve got a hungry bunch here tonight.”

Carl shakes his head and laughs as Nettie brings us out two waters and places them on the table. “You want the usual, honey?”

Xavier shakes his head. “Not today. I’m on a new protein diet to help build muscle. I’m trying to bulk up.”

“Lord, sugar. Your arms are already big as tanks. What’cha want to get any bigger fo’?”

That’s a very good question, Nettie.

He shrugs. “I’ve been thrown a bone to go after the championship belt and I have to be in top shape. I want the higher-ups in the biz to know how much I want it. How seriously I take my job.”

“If you take your job any more seriously, honey, you’ll put one of them boys in the hospital…for real.”

“You know all that’s fake, Nettie. We’re professional. Everything we do is choreographed and thought out ahead of time.”

“Mistakes happen, child. You should know that better than anyone else.” She gives him a pointed look, but he doesn’t say a word. It’s like he doesn’t have to. These two have such a history they can communicate a thousand meanings in just one look—a look that passes me by because I’m clueless as to what in the world she could be talking about.

“So that’s meat and egg whites for my boy. What about you, Anna, what’ll it be?” She turns her attention back to me.

I glance around and notice most of the other patrons are having breakfast, so I figure that’s a safe bet. “Um, I’ll take the pancakes and sausage.”

“Oh, I like this one—she’s got a healthy appetite.” Nettie nudges Xavier’s arm with her hip as she writes down our order on the notepad. “You can bring her around any time.”

Xavier rolls his eyes while Nettie cackles before turning to head toward Carl. “Sorry about that.”

I smile, liking the idea that Nettie is teasing him to lighten him up. “Not a big deal. I think it’s funny that she treats all the girls you bring in here like that.”