“Yeah, because I’msovintage,” she teased back. “Seriously, though, I think the flowers would show up better on the lighter paper, and I might add some purple to them.”
“Oh, that makes sense, then.” I handed her back the card.
“Go get us some coffee, and we’ll work on these.”
I nodded and went off to get our drinks and something to eat. I walked around the corner into the main lobby and was surprised to see the line had grown and was almost to the door. One of the ladies had come out from the back and was walking through the line, offering samples of the cinnamon coffee cake, while another employee talked to people by our mug display.
I took care of the coffee for Salem and me so the others could focus on the customers. Andrew was even fulfilling orders and came over to where I stood.
“Hey, you,” he said and nudged my arm with his elbow.
“Hey,” I replied and smiled.
“How are you doing?” he asked.
“I’m okay, thanks. It’s just still really new and fresh, and I’m trying not to let myself get too overwhelmed.”
“I understand. I’m going to be here today—”
“What? Why? I mean, don’t you have to be at Oxygen to help with the photography consultations? By the way, I’m no longer interested in doing that.”
“Ali could handle all of it on her own, but Sam offered to step in for me today.”
I nodded and put extra whip cream on Salem’s drink.Was Andrew here because of me? Did James ask him to stay close to me? Does Salem want me to help her with stuff so I stay occupied?
“Is it because of me?” I quietly asked him.
He took the two cups he was working on and then handed them off to someone before he leaned on the counter beside me.
“A little, yes. It’s because I want to be available for you, but I also told Salem I’d be here to help with her stuff.”
“So you’re here to babysit me.”
Is he worried I’m going to cut myself in the bathroom of his shop?
“No.”
“Yes. Look, I told James I was okay and acknowledged that my reaction last night was an overreaction.”
“Relax, Bran.” I looked at him when I felt his hand gently land on my shoulder. “Can you help Salem with her stuff today?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I told her she could put a display up with her keychains. She’s very excited about it.”
I knew that was a reminder to take a deep breath and chill the fuck out. I put two slices of cinnamon cake in a pastry bag and carried it and the two coffees carefully through the crowd and rejoined Salem at the table.
“Here, I got you a slice of cinnamon cake.” I set her slice on a napkin and slid it next to her coffee.
“Thank you,” she said as she picked up the coffee.
While I ate my cake, she showed me how to assemble the keychain. It seemed simple enough. I was to pick out an initial, or a letter, that was made out of glittery acrylic, then pick out some matching accessories. The last thing was to attach all of it to a metal key ring and bag tag.
“Then you just set them in this box, put the tag with my logo on them, and then set them out,” she instructed.
“Okay, easy enough.” I wiped my hands on a napkin and began. I selected all the pieces first and then worked with the items I picked.
We’d been working in silence for a few minutes when I decided to ask her opinion. I was somewhat walking into the fire by asking her because I remembered the last time I’d asked for her opinion. It was about the private photography session, which didn’t go so well.
