I’m so happy that she found Sterling, and I want to give her the space she needs to explore this relationship. I do miss her though, I won’t lie about that.
“More like my bestie fix! I miss your face,” she says cheerfully. Looking at her closely, I can see she looks a bit tired. Happy, but tired.
“I miss you too,” I return, and make my way around the counter to hug her. We embrace for a bit until I hear Sterling clear his throat.
“Hey Sterling,” I say, as we untangle ourselves from each other. He crosses his arms over his chest and looks at us in amusement.
“I’m going to check in with Holt,” he nods in the direction of where Holt is sitting. He looks over at Meg for a second, and I nearly swoon when he grabs her and and pulls her to him. She gasps in surprise.
Taking advantage of her surprise, he cups her face with his massive hands and kisses her. My best friend melts into his chest. He pulls away, tapping her on the nose and nodding.
Struggling to get my wits about me, I finally close my mouth. She looks at me in a daze and touches her lips with the tips of her fingers.
“Get your mind out of the gutter, Wilson,” I say jokingly. She shakes her head and glares at me.
“I can’t help it,” she stomps her foot. Then she runs her hands through her messy chin length bob.
“He is so distracting, it is a problem. I can’t get any work done! How do people live like this,” she is almost complaining.
“Oh poor you, I feel terrible for you. Its so awful to have a brooding, protective, hottie that is utterly devoted to you” I say sarcastically, as I start making her usual macchiato. She sighs again.
“You are right. So, tell me what’s going on with you,” she asks. Before I can answer her she starts talking again.
“I feel like such a bitch, I haven’t been a good friend lately and I need to hear about your life,” She blurts out frustratedly. I giggle and extend her coffee to her.
“You aren’t a bitch. We were texting a few hours ago. We saw each other last week,” I started to explain.
“Last week! See? It has been too long. Now spill, what is happening with you,” she won’t let it go. So I pull up another chair behind the counter and motion for her to join me. I figure I can ease into this.
“I don’t know Meg, there really isn’t much new. I’m just working all the time these days,” I say. I’m trying not to whine. It isn’t attractive, and I don’t want to be that person.
“I’m worried about you, Piper. I know you tried to hire some part-time help before, but you need someone else to work in here. You can’t keep going on like this,” Meg jumps in.
“I know you are right, I put an ad out in the High Ridge paper this week and on our social media channels,” I say to her.
“That is good, I will call the Chamber too. They have a job board. Plus they may know of someone looking for part-time work. We will solve this problem,” she declares. That is Meg for you. Problem solver, project manager, event planner. She wears a lot of hats and somehow makes it seem so easy.
“Now what else is happening,” she can tell I am holding back. We both know each other too well.
“It’s nothing, really,” I trail off. Her dark eyebrow is raised above the rim of her glasses. She doesn’t buy what I’m selling at all.
“I’m just having some trouble sleeping,” I reluctantly admit to her. Watching her reaction I see her nod.
“Me too,” she agrees and grabs my hand. After a few minutes the look on her face gets dark.
“I can’t imagine how much worse it would be if I didn’t have company,” she says. I shrug a little.
“It isn’t that bad, its not like the guy was after me. Compared to what you went through this was-“, Meg cuts me off mid sentence.
“This isn’t about comparisons! Everyone deals with things differently. I’m sorry that I unknowingly pulled you into my problems,” she sighs. Her shoulders slump in dejection.
“Hey, don’t feel that way! It isn’t your fault! Besides, we share everything anyway—what’s a little trauma between friends,” I say jokingly. She smiles sadly.
“I’m kidding, lighten up. Do I need to get Sterling to come over here,” I ask her jokingly. She rolls her eyes at me.
“Okay, okay. Want me to stay over at your place for a while? We can drink bad wine, watch equally bad television, and eat a bunch of take-out,” she wiggles her eyebrows. I don’t want her to feel like she has to babysit me. For a minute, I’m tempted to say yes. I shake my head.
“No way, I’m not going to cock block you,” I say jokingly. Someone clears their throat and I look up at the register. Carter is standing there. An amused look on his face. There is no doubt in my mind that he overheard. My cheeks turn red. Meg laughs. I glare at her and turn towards him.
