He turned to Corey. "Got any coffee?"
"Yeah sure. I'll make us up some. We kinda just got up." Corey looked sheepish.
"I'm sorry, I should have called first. It's just, kind of an emergency."
"Mandy okay?"
Kip filled him in the story thus far and his plans. "So I need to like surprise her. Something big. A slap upside her head, you know. A romantic precursor to proposing."
The girl at the table looked interested. "Calling it a slap upside the head isn't real romantic," she added, dryly.
"Right. See, I came to the right place then," Kip said. He pushed Corey out of the way who was gaping at the girl at the table. "Let me make the damned coffee. Go finish your Lucky Charms."
"Fruit-O's," Corey said, pouting.
Once Kip had the coffee brewing he went around to the table. He held out his hand to the girl, "Kip Turner."
"The goalie," she said, looking impressed.
"Exactly."
She took his head and shook it. "Abby." She removed her hand quickly, glanced at Corey, who was staring at Kip, then returned to her cereal eating. Oh the poor girl, she had a crush on Corey, who likely saw her as nothing more than the one night stand she was intended to be.
Kip looked at Corey. Maybe he was the soul to be pitied here. He decided to ignore that aspect for right now. He had a woman to woo and little time to make it a surprise. He'd said too much to Colton last night all ready. Kip went back to the kitchen and looked for some mugs. "Anyone want a cup?" he asked, holding up a mug.
Corey and Abby met eyes and then both looked away quickly. Interesting. "Please," Corey said.
"Yes, please," the girl said. Kip almost laughed. They were like a couple of teenagers. He managed to hold back as he delivered the steaming mugs.
Kip sat down at the table. "So, anyway, everything else aside. Any tips on how to get the girl of my dreams?"
"A big present?"
Kip started digging in his pocket. "I have this ring." He threw it on the table. Abby glanced at it, letting the case snap shut. "Bigger. Diamond, too. And you should take roses."
"Bigger ring?" On Mandy, he considered it. Well, he could get her one, if she insisted he could always take it back. Abby nodded emphatically. "Okay, bigger ring. And roses."