By the time we get to the register to pay, the second basket is overflowing with items. Daddy asks me to stand by the door, far enough away that I can't see the total price. I know he's doing that for a reason and I appreciate it. Everything is in discreet bags and I carry one to the car.
I sneak Mister Giffy, the giraffe I've already named, out of the bag and hold him while Daddy buckles me in.
Chapter Fifteen
"Areyouallsetfor the meeting?" Austin asks Thursday. We don't have enough staff for both of us to go on break together, but I've started pulling one of the chairs up at the counter. I take my break after the lunch rush comes through, so the place isn't too busy and Austin and I talk between customers.
"Considering he cancelled the first one with ten minute notice, I'm not holding my breath." I roll my eyes, letting him know I'm just playing. I did go through the checklist today to make sure that everything was done. All the chocolates and syrups are up to date, the nozzles are clean and sanitized. I've even reorganized the fridge under the counter to make it easier to get the things we use the most. The only thing left to do is sweep off the carpet rug at the register and mop the floor.
"He texted and said he'll be here. He's bringing his nephew, too."
"I'm sensing some tension there?" I tilt my head and try to study his face. His nose scrunches up and there is definitely a grimace to his lips. I try to hide my smile at his obvious distaste.
"I know Remi says it's not nice to hate other people, but his nephew is rude. His dad apparently owns some bigger chain so he comes from money and looks down at those that work for someone else."
"Gross," I say before I can think better of it. "I mean, our Daddies own their own companies and don't look down on us."
Austin smiles and I don't get why for a few seconds. Then it hits me what I said and my cheeks blush. I didn't even check to make sure no one was around. Thankfully, there isn't.
"So, you two are getting close?"
"You could say that." I hide my smile behind a bite of the food. It's something that Garrett made for me last night, to bring in today. I ran out of food at my place, but I'm too embarrassed to let him know that. He's supposed to be picking me up after work today. It's Friday, and tomorrow we have Austin and Remi's party. "He's great. I really like him."
"Are you two still coming tomorrow?"
"We are," I say. Nerves fill my tummy at the thought of being Little in front of other people. "I don't know if we're going to stay the whole time, though."
I know Austin knows what I mean without saying it out loud. They're planning a playdate after the party. I won't know anyone else in their group.
"Everyone is super nice," Austin assures me. "But I totally get it if you're not comfortable. Just know that we won't judge you or anything. I once had a full meltdown in front of all of them and we're still friends."
"You did?" I don't know why that makes me feel a bit better. Maybe they wouldn't judge me if I cling to Daddy or don't talk much then.
"Yep." Austin turns around to make sure there's no customers. I can't see the two on the other side, but I don't think there are even any customers in the whole place right now. "We were at the camp and Remi had to work. I was in Little space and got scared. Knocked over blocks and cried in Garrett's lap, actually."
"It's a great place to cry," I say jokingly. I don't elaborate when Austin raises his eyebrows. "Anyway, I'll talk to Gare about tomorrow and let you know."
Austin goes to say something, but a customer walks in, the bell above the door chiming. I finish out my lunch and clock back in ten minutes later. The only good thing about a meeting after work is that I'll hit a few minutes of overtime. I'm keeping up with my bills. Being at Garrett's on the weekends and one or two nights during the week is helping keep the electricity bill down and the amount of food I need to buy for the apartment.
We work together to close the shop down before the owner walks in with his nephew. The owner is in his sixties, but he looks older. His nephew, though, looks like he's in his thirties maybe. He has hair that falls into his eyes and is wearing jeans and a tee shirt. It's very casual and is definitely not enough for the cold weather. I can hear Garrett's voice in my head telling me that I need at least two layers in this weather.
"Is everyone ready for the meeting?" Kenny, the owner, asks. We all find a seat at the tables while Kenny and his nephew remain standing. Austin has a notebook open and a pen ready to take notes. I'm not sure what kind of notes need to be taken, but he's the manager and has probably done one or two of these before. "I wanted to start out the meeting by saying that we're going to be making some big changes around here this year. The first being that I'll be retiring in May and I'm handing the business off to my nephew, Cade."
I look around to see how everyone else is reacting. Austin is writing something down, but I can see that worry line between his eyes. Tyler's jaw ticks but there's nothing else in his expression. The new girl, Daniella, who was hired after me when Amir left for college, also looks around. We lock eyes for a brief moment before Cade starts talking.
"I'm going to start taking over some of the duties while we're in the process of transferring paperwork. The first thing I want to implement is a uniform."
Itrytohidemy tears as I wait for Garrett. I texted him that our meeting was running later than planned, because there was a lot that Cade wants to change "starting now". He started with the uniform thing, requiring collared shirts that I don't have, nor can I afford. Then he moved to business hours. I got cut five hours a week. I'm barely keeping up with everything now, so I don't know how I'm going to work with even less money. I won't be able to give my sisters and brother the money I planned.
When Garrett pulls up to the curb in front of the doors, I take a deep breath and wipe at my eyes once more before opening the door. I don't meet Garrett's eyes as I buckle up. I know he can sense that something is up, but the street is dark enough I know my face is in the shadows.
"Honey?" Garrett's hand rests on my knee. It's warm and safe, my brain says. He'll understand. He doesn't see me as a charity. As much as I want to believe what the back of my mind is telling me, the big part of it is saying that he's going to see me as too much trouble. That after everything he's done and bought for me already, asking him to do more is too much. I'm scared he'll start seeing me as less, as someone that's too much trouble, isn't good with their money. He owns his own accounting firm, for fuck's sake.
"Orion."
Garrett's voice is raised and serious. I look at him on instinct, shrinking back into the seat. My tears are falling freely. I'm tired of crying in front of him. He gets out of the car and opens the backseat door. He motions for me to come back with him. I do as he asks and he immediately folds me into his arms, cradling me like he did that first time only a couple weeks ago. It's hard to believe that we've only been together for less than a month.
"Honey, what's wrong?" His hand brushes through my hair and his lips touch the side of my face over and over. I know he's trying to calm me down but I'm too worked up. Worried about the future. I love this job, but I don't know if I'll be able to keep it or I might have to get a second one.
