“I have.Everything is fine.”She smiled, but there was something beneath that smile.
“You’re not lying to me, are you?”
“Why would you think that?”
“No reason.”I swatted my hand across the space between us.“So, what do you want?Your usual?”
“Actually… I’m craving hot chocolate.”
“It’s nine hundred degrees out, and you want hot chocolate?”
She shrugged.“I know it’s crazy, but I learned not to question my body and it wants.”
That told me she was probably PMSing, and if that was the case, if she wanted hot chocolate, then she would get some hot chocolate.“You got it.Do you want anything to eat?”
“A scone would be great.”
“A hot chocolate and scone coming right up.”I jumped from the table and went right to the register.Kenneth greeted me with a smile while Michael was running around like a chicken with its head cut off.“Busy?”
“Ever since we set up online ordering, it’s been a never-ending flow of orders.There’s also a Quilter Gone Wild Convention at the resort, so we have a ton of out-of-towners ordering.It’s nice to see a familiar face.Rose’s, too.”His eyes met mine, a sympathetic smile tugging at his mouth.“She’s been in here a lot this week.She’s on a scone kick.Been quiet, though.Keeps to herself.Hasn’t tried to make me set up an Instagram account.”
Rose had been trying to get Kenneth to putEspresso Yourselfon all the social media platforms so she could tag them in posts and cross-promote.
“You should just let her set it up for you.It’ll make her happy.”
“And that’s all you care about?Making her happy?”
“What can I say?I aim to please.”
“Always, and for what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”
“Thanks,” I said, my eyes suddenly finding the packaged goods on the counter to be the most interesting thing in the world.I knew the news had just gotten out, but I was already over talking about it.
“Okay, what can I get you?”I appreciated Kenneth’s ability to read a room.I placed the order and went back to Rose.Her head was turned, her gaze lingering out the window.The streets were starting to fill up as the morning wore on.
“Kenneth said he’ll bring everything over.”I slid into my chair across from Rose.“So, what did the doctor say?”
“Excuse me?”
“You said you went to the doctor.What did they say?”
“Oh.Um.They did some bloodwork.I’ve got another checkup in a couple of weeks.I’m taking antacids.”
“Is it working?”
“It is,” she answered quickly.Almost too quickly.I eyed her, concern swirling inside me.She glanced away, and her shoulders relaxed as Michael approached the table and placed our drinks and scones in front of us.
“Here you two lovelies are.Can I get you anything else?”
“No, we’re good, Michael.Thank you,” I said, ready to jump back into our conversation, but Rose took her cup in hand and smiled at Michael.
“So when are you going to let me set up some socials for you?This scone is a work of art.The people need to see it.I won’t even charge you.”
“I don’t have time to make all the orders, let alone maintain a social account.”
Rose laughed, lighter and airier, and her body turned toward Michael as if she were shutting down our conversation.“I think you’re making more excuses.”
“When the Quilters Gone Wild crew moves out of town, we’ll talk.”
