A couple of minutes later, Cam reappeared with a steaming mug of coffee and two orange tablets.
"Thank you," I said. "You don't have to wait on me while I'm here."
"Oh, I know. But you look like you didn't get much sleep last night, so I'm taking care of my friend. What time did you finally shut it down?"
"Around two a.m." I sipped the coffee and sighed in utter bliss. Cam made a damn good cup of coffee. She got the sugar and creamer ratio just right. I tossed the ibuprofen into my mouth and washed it down with more delicious caffeine. "In good news, I'm all caught up with the last two years of quarterly updates from the store."
"Seriously?"
"Yep."
Cam shook her head. "I didn't think you read those emails."
"I didn't. And I'm sorry about that. I've been kind of a shitty friend the past couple of years. But that's going to change, starting today. I figure that if you're going to hold off on doing things you want to do with the business because of me, then I need to make sure I'm abreast of the situation so I can encourage you to do it."
"You're not a shitty friend," Cam stated before she cocked her head to the side and asked, "Encourage me?"
"Strongly," I said.
Cam laughed. "You are the—"
"Most awesome friend ever!" I exclaimed.
She rolled her eyes at my interruption. "One minute you're shitty and now you're awesome? I think you need more sleep."
I made a face at her and drank more coffee. My brain was beginning to work again.
"Is that what kept you up so late?" she asked.
"Nope. My boss called yesterday, adamant that I handle some stuff for him. I thought it would just be a quick thing, but it wasn't."
"Again?"
"Yep."
"And he knows you're on vacation for the first time in two years?"
I nodded and drank more coffee. Damn, she'd made a huge mug of it for me. Maybe she deserved the title of "Most Awesome Friend Ever."
"How rude."
"It is what it is," I said with a shrug.
"I hate that saying."
I laughed because I knew that. Which was exactly why I'd used it.
"Why don't you rest today?" she offered. "I can manage at the shop by myself."
"I'm coming to the shop. I'll take a nap then bring lunch to you and stay to help out."
She didn't argue but I could tell she wanted to. Then, it occurred to me that maybe she didn't want me messing with the business but didn't want to say anything because she was my best friend. Earth to Sierra, pay attention to social cues.
"Does it bother you that I'm there all the time now?" I asked. "I mean, am I stepping on your toes? Because I don't want to do that. You're the one who's actually built this business."
"No! I'm glad you come to help because it gives me a chance to see you more than just a few hours in the evening while you're here."
"And you're not upset that I horned in on hiring Lee? You can be honest with me. I won't be mad." I might cry inside, but I wouldn't be mad.
