I ducked behind a shelf of maple bourbon caramels, watching Luke through the gaps between candy boxes, wondering if they’d seen each other.
Damn it. I’d been sure this would work. The cafe was neutral territory. I’d made the email sound casual but sincere. What went wrong? Had they argued?
I wanted to ask him directly, but I was still just as intimidated by Luke Merrick as I had been at 16. What was that about? I was much braver and more confident around everyone else. Just not Luke and Eli.
“Mioko?” Maggie’s voice made me jump. “Are you hiding behind my caramels for a reason, or just admiring my aura-aligned packaging?”
I turned, heat flooding my cheeks. “Just... organizing.” I grabbed a random box and pretended to straighten it.
Maggie raised an eyebrow, her wild auburn curls bouncing as she tilted her head. “Mmm-hmm. Nothing to do with your old crush on my son?”
“I didn’t have a crush on Luke!” I tried to sound casual. “I barely noticed him.”
“You’re a terrible liar, sunshine,” Maggie said, her voice warm rather than accusatory. “Your face gives away everything you’re thinking.”
I sighed, abandoning the pretense. “Fine. I may have emailed Eli from the shop account, pretending to be Luke, asking to meet there at eleven, when you always send Luke for your coffee order.” I winced, waiting for her reaction.
To my surprise, Maggie threw back her head and laughed. “Oh, honey. You’re playing with fire. Those two haven’t talked in years. You’d be better off flirting with him yourself.” She glanced at Luke, who was aggressively tying his apron strings. “Did Eli not show?”
“No idea. I’m going to check in with Lori, and see if she knows anything.”
“Oh shit. You roped Lori into this, too?” Maggie shook her head, smiling.
“I mean, I’m staying with her while I’m in town. And she needs entertainment! Bedrest does not suit her.” Sticking out my tongue at Maggie, I pulled out my phone, and swiped to Lori’s texts.
Mioko
Operation Coffee Shop = total disaster. He’s back already.
Lori
Called it. Did they even talk?
Don’t know. If they did, it wasn’t for more than a minute or two. I can’t figure out what went wrong. Do you think Eli skipped it?
He emailed you back, didn’t he? Eli was there. He’s steady like that.
Then why wouldn’t they have talked? Maybe I should’ve followed him and spied on them.
Maybe you should’ve listened to Aimee.
Since when do we follow every piece of advice on the Aimee Position?
Since always! She’s our favorite podcaster. That’s why we called her.
You called her. Then you shoved the phone at me and made me talk, remember?
Details…
Anyway, we listen to her for fun, not because wethink she’s right about things.
Aimee knows her shit.
She has multiple degrees in psychology and counseling, and she doesn’t have emotional investment clouding her judgment.
She knows nothing!
Also, I’m stopping by the grocery store before I come back to your place. Text me your list.
