28

"Sure thing," the young barista smiled at Graeme. "You doing okay?" she asked.

He looked up to meet her questioning eyes, realizing now that he hadn't checked himself over well before coming in here. Did he look like he had just mauled someone in the woods? He glanced down at his clothes, and the girl chuckled when she saw his confusion.

"You just look tired. And you're definitely not from Ripon," her eyebrows shot up in amusement. "Are you lost?"

He allowed a small smile to form. "No. Just passing through. I have a long drive."

"And this is your dinner? There are a lot of good places to eat here, you know," she smiled. It was innocent and friendly, and he smiled back.

"Just don't send him to 28," another girl working behind her interjected as she turned with his coffee and sat it down on the counter.

The girl behind the register smirked. "Right. Although I think he would be safe," she answered, giving him a quick glance.