Before I know it, the bakery is packed with early shoppers. I spend the next few hours working the cash register and boxing up cakes and other baked goods. It isn’t until I sit down for a break that I realize it’s 2:00 p.m.. Checking my phone, I have a message from Sam.
I heard you are helping your mom this morning, but I'm hoping to sneak you away for a hike. What do you think?
I don’t want to leave Mom too soon, but things are slowing down now that the lunch rush is over. “Hey, Ma, Sam wants to pick me up to go hiking. Do you think you need me here much longer?”
She looks around before she answers, "I think we're in a pretty good spot now. Thanks so much for your help today." I kiss her on the cheek and type out a response to Sam.
Good timing. I can leave whenever you're ready. But can you pick me up here and take me back to my parents' house so I can change before we head out?
Be there in 10.
While I’m waiting for him, I walk over to the coffee shop and order a latte for myself and a tea for Sam. As I’m waiting in line,I hear a familiar voice behind me. “Kat? Is that you?” Turning around, I see Chris, an old friend from high school; I haven’t seen him in years. Chris dated my friend Sophie for about a month during our senior year. I always thought he was nice, just not a great match for Sophie.
She was all drama and very serious; Chris was a big goofball, always trying to make everyone laugh. His dark brown hair is cropped short and reminds me of the military haircuts I’ve seen. He has an athletic build but isn’t particularly muscled. He has dark brown eyes and dark skin.
“Chris! I haven’t seen you in ages. How have you been?” We hug each other briefly.
“I’ve been good. You look amazing. Your mom still owns the bakery next door, I take it?” He reaches up and brushes flour from my cheek. I blush at the contact and shrug, trying to act like it’s no big deal.
“Yeah. I was helping her this morning. It’s always busy the day after Thanksgiving.”
“That’s amazing. I was just finishing up some shopping with my sisters.” He waves in their direction. “We’re grabbing coffee and then going over to your mom’s shop for some snacks before heading back to the house to take naps.” I catch his sisters looking at us, so I smile and wave to them. “Maybe I’ll see you over there?”
“I’m actually on my way out. I’m just grabbing coffee first.” Hearing my name called, he walks with me over to the counter where the finished drinks are placed.
“How long are you in town for? I’d love to catch up.” He offers me a shy smile.
“I’m going back to Columbia tomorrow.” He frowns so I quickly add, “But I’ll be here for a week over Christmas. Maybe we can do something then?”
“I’d love that.” We say our goodbyes, and by the time I walk out, Sam is waiting at the curb.
“Who was the guy you were talking to in the coffee shop?” Sam asks in greeting.
“It’s good to see you, too, Sam.” I roll my eyes at him, handing over his drink. “I got you a chai tea latte.”
“Sorry. It’s good to see you. Thanks for the drink.” He takes the cup, sets it into his drink holder, and leans over to plant a quick kiss on my cheek. “So, who’s the guy?”
Rolling my eyes again, I let out an audible sigh before answering, “Chris Polk. I’m not sure if you would remember him. He was in my grade and dated Sophie a bit during our senior year. I don’t think I’ve seen him since graduation.”
“Oh. Cool.” Sam says it like he thinks it’s anything but cool. “Does he still live in Charleston?”
“Yeah. I think he’s a CPA and works for his dad’s accounting firm downtown. He said something about hanging out.” I don’t know why I added that last part.
“Do you want to hang out with him?”
“Maybe. I mean, it might be nice to catch up. We were friends at some point.”
“Hmmm,” is his only response.
We drive the rest of the way to my parents’ house in silence, and I can tell Sam is stewing over Chris. I try to ignore the tension radiating off him and look out the window instead.
Once at my parents’ house, I quickly change and meet Sam back downstairs. I find him standing in the living room, looking at the bookcase.
“Do you think your parents have read all of these?” He gestures vaguely at the books.
“I don’t know.” I look where he's pointing. “My mom almost always had a book in her hands when I was growing up, so I assume so.”
He continues looking at the titles.
