Dahlia: I got a couple of calls from Griffin Montgomery today.
Me: What did you say?
Dahlia: What do you think? He called Abstract Dreams first, so I was myself. Then he called Sal’s, and I couldn’t be Dahlia again, so I was Alma.
Me: Who’s Alma?
Dahlia: Don’t worry about it. But as far as you’re concerned, Alma is a middle-aged Hispanic woman and was your coworker at Sal’s.
Me: Good to know. Thanks lol.
Stowing my phone in my purse, I open the glass door to the coffee shop and walk in. Pastries may not be a suitable lunch, but I’d give Kat my left kidney if it meant I could have a lifetime supply of those chocolate croissants.
Kat beams at me from behind the counter. “Hey, Annabelle! I’m taking a lunch break!”
Annabelle pokes her head out from the kitchen. “I got this. Take your break, Kat.” Annabelle is an older woman who bakes all the delicious treats at Mystic Beans. She’s a little shorter than me with bronze cropped hair.
Kat rushes to make me what has become my favorite drink. A light iced white chocolate mocha with Irish cream and hazelnut.Then she grabs a chocolate croissant, a brown paper bag, and a water bottle. I sit at our usual table by the front window and wait for her.
She sets down the coffee and croissant in front of me and sits in her seat. “I don’t know how you eat like you eat and still have a waist like that.”
Glancing down at my size ten hips, I swallow the mouthful of croissant and answer, “With the shit I’ve had thrown my way, life has to bless me with something. But at my last job, I wasn’t exactly deemed ‘skinny.’”
She reaches into the brown paper bag and pulls out two sandwiches. “You need to eatsomethinghealthy.” Then she sets the second sandwich next to my treat.
“Yes,Mom,” I joke. It’s weird having someone look out for me. I’m used to the situation being the other way around.
Kat has quickly become a close friend. She’s like my platonic soulmate. I miss Dahlia and Mya dearly, but meeting Kat has lessened that pain.
“So, how’s dear old Mrs. Baker doing today?” Kat asks sarcastically as she digs into her sandwich.
“Just peachy,” I respond with an eye roll. After another swallow, I ask, “Are you sure about watching Noah tonight?”
“I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t mean it. I got you, Raven,” Kat responds without hesitation.
“Okay, but I promise I’ll find someone more permanent soon.”
She waves off my concern and continues eating her sandwich. “Accept my help and move on, love. Besides, I may have found someone who can help.”
That makes me perk up. “Oh? Who?”
“Her name is Lucy. She’s one of my employees. She asked for more hours, but I can’t give them to her. She’s responsible, loves kids, has lots of experience…all the things.”
“I don’t know…”
“Look, just meet her and see what you think. I promise you’ll love her.”
“Okay. Why not? Thank you,” I respond genuinely.
“Sweet! I’ll get you her number so you can contact her. You’ll be so grateful that you’ll be giving me praises for the rest of your life.”
Chuckling at her dramatic statement, I let it pass. “So…” I sip from my delicious coffee and sigh. “Tell me about those two guys from the other day.”
Kat chokes on her bite and coughs.
“I think that means there’s something to tell,” I tease.
She clears her throat and takes a sip from her water bottle. “Definitely not.”
