I look back at him, and he just shakes his head.
I want to ask Callie about it, but she’s already buzzing around the café to point out all of her favorite features. A staircase goes up to the second floor that overlooks the shop and hosts a couple of tables as well as a bar and barstools along the black railing. There are plants everywhere, hanging from the ceiling, decorating the shelves, and even on either side of the front door. Delectable pastries fill the glass case near the register, and it reminds me that Callie was the one who taught Rhett how to bake.
“This place is amazing. I love it.”
“Thank you. I decorated it myself.” She beams with pride.
Rhett stands off to the side, still holding Maverick’s leash and looking a little unhappy about being left out. “You forgot one important part of your introduction.”
“Oh yes, I also pride myself on being the number one pain in Rhett’s ass.”
“I might be giving you a run for your money,” I stage-whisper to her.
“I hope you are.”
Yup, I definitely like this woman.
“Last I checked, it wasn’t a competition to see who could annoy me more, and that’s not what I was referring to. I meant you forgot to mention you were born and raised in Roots.” He turns to me. “Callie grew up here. She might be the best one to show you around town.”
“That too.” Callie sets a ginormous mug of coffee down in front of me. The cup is big enough to fit a puppy.
Embarrassment rushes in, coloring my cheeks red. “I totally get it if you want to bail, Rhett. You don’t have to show me around on your day off just because my mom asked you to.”
“I didn’t mean it like that. Of course I’ll show you around today. I just thought Callie might be more fun for you to hang out with. She’s also the best proof I have that Roots isn’t so bad.”
“Aww!” Callie tosses her hand humbly at Rhett before totally switching gears. “Okay, let us ladies chat. I want to get to know Olivia.”
“Gladly. I think Maverick could use a walk anyway.”
He storms out of the café, but it’s impossible to miss the hint of a dimple that’s starting to show before he rolls his eyes and turns away.
Callie joins me at the table. “Hurry. I don’t know how long we have until he comes back, but we’ve got a lot of ground to cover.”
ChapterTwelve
Olivia
Callie givesme a moment to take a sip of my gargantuan coffee before ambushing me again with her chattery excitement. “I have to say, the rumors swirling around town about you are ridiculous.”
My stomach sinks.Rumors? About me?Memories from high school come flooding back. I’m going to be sick. “None of those are true!” I blurt, even though I don’t even know what she’s heard.
“Of course they aren’t. The rumors in Roots never are. They’re just how people in this small town entertain themselves.” She scoots her chair closer to the table. “You have to hear how ridiculous these rumors are. I’ve heard you’re here because you’re on the run from the law. I’ve heard you came here because you realized your true calling is in country music. That one doesn’t even make much sense to me. I’d think you’d go to Nashville if that were the case.” She gives a soft smile. “I promise, no one actually believes the nonsense that gets spread around town. I think people just like to see how crazy of a story they can come up with.”
I take another gulp of my coffee. It’s not kicking in fast enough to keep up with Callie’s energy and the bomb she just dropped on me. I don’t like that people are spreading rumors, even if Callie claims everyone knows they’re nonsense.
“Sorry.” She grimaces. “I realize I can come on a little strong. I’m just so excited to have someone new in Roots. I’ve beendyingfor a friend.”
“I could use a friend too.”
Laughter bubbles out of her as the corners of her eyes crinkle. I like her energy. There’s just something about her that makes me immediately feel comfortable around her.
“So, what do you think of Rhett?”
I nearly choke on the sip of coffee I just took, sputtering and coughing in a manner that certainly seems incriminating. “You just jump right into things, don’t you?”
“I was going to ask you why you’re really in Roots. Which would you rather start with?”
I shake my head but accept her offer to start on a lighter note. “I don’t know what to think of Rhett just yet. I think we are starting to warm up to one another, but he’s a bit closed off whenever I ask him anything personal.” I glance up at her. “He mentioned you two are friends. What did it take? I should at least try to be his friend since he’s so close with my parents.”
