“Hey, babe. What’s up?”
“Nothing much. I just wanted to hear your voice.”
There’s a pause, and I can practically hear the gears turning in his head. “Alright,” he says slowly. “Are you okay?”
“I don’t know exactly,” I admit. A lump rises in my throat, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. “I love you so much. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You’ll never have to find out,” Greg promises. “How about we talk over whatever’s got you so worried when you get home? Or we can just spend some time together. Maybe watch a movie.”
“A Christmas romance?”
He laughs. “Is there any other kind this time of year?”
When I hang up, I feel a hundred times better. Just hearing his voice has that effect on me, and I’m ready to face the world again.
Another firetruck passes as I head back out to the front of the shop.
I meet Josh’s eyes and he raises his brows.
Suppressing a chuckle, I shake my head. “You know, it’s not right to wish bad things on anyone, no matter how attractive the firemen may be.”
“I know, I know.” He holds his hands up in mock surrender. “But we can still appreciate the view, right?”
“How about you stay focused on the job?” I say in my sternest voice, tossing him a cloth.
“You got it, boss.” Josh salutes, flashing me a cheeky grin before turning his attention to wiping down the tables.
I join Will at the counter, feeling lighter after the quick chat with Greg and the banter with Josh. This time as I glance around the coffee shop, taking in the festive decorations and the cheerful faces of the customers, I allow myself to enjoy the moment. With a smile on my face, I turn my attention back to the task at hand, humming along to the Christmas carols playing in the background.
Chapter Fourteen
Greg
“What about this sagegreen? It’s supposed to be soothing and create a tranquil vibe,” I suggest, painting a swatch on the kitchen wall. The overhead lights shine on the painted square, giving it an almost luminous glow against the bare white walls.
Cam tilts his head, considering it with an amused smile. “Hmm, I don’t know, babe. Might make our kitchen look like the inside of an avocado.”
I huff a laugh, shaking my head. “Okay, fair point. Maybe not the best choice for whetting the appetite.”
Cam selects a sample pot from those scattered across the floor, this one a yellow. “Now this is more like it! Sunshine on the walls to brighten our mornings.”
He paints the sample next to mine. I grin at his enthusiasm. His eyes are shining with excitement, but he frowns as he turns to me. “Hmm. Not quite the effect I was going for.”
I chuckle at his expression. “Well, it’s definitely cheerful, but maybe it’s a bit too sunshine-y. We’d need to wear sunglasses inside because it’s so bright.”
He laughs and reaches for another sample, dipping the brush into the pot. “How about this one, then? Still yellow but more muted, you know?”
I tilt my head, squinting. “Maybe not so much.”
Cam snorts. “Yeah, that’s… Kinda reminds me of baby poop.”
“Ew, Cam!” I wrinkle my nose and snort a laugh. “Okay, okay. So we agree yellow isn’t the way to go?”
“Absolutely.”
We move on to the next color, a soft dove gray. As Cam paints a neat square on the wall, I find my mind wandering. It’s so easy to picture this room filled with laughter and warmth, our loved ones gathered around the table for holidays and birthdays and just because. A highchair tucked into the corner, tiny hands smearing pureed peas everywhere…
“Earth to Greg.” Cam waves a hand in front of my face, jolting me from my reverie. “Thoughts on the gray?”
