A lump forms in my throat. Hecaresabout me, and I’m risking him losing his job.
“Are you alright?” Naomi’s eyebrows furrow, mimicking mine.
Am I alright?There isn’t enough coffee in this pot for me to process that question out loud. On one hand, yes, I feel alright knowing Benny and I are together, and I feel happy for the first time in a long time. On the other hand, I feel conflicted for being so selfish—selfish for allowing a relationship with Benny to happen, and selfish for not considering the implications of that relationship. This wasn’t even a part of my plan. My plan was to get in and get out—back to New York, not fall for myboss.The absurdity of my situation lingers in my thoughts as I think it over.
How serious is this relationship? Is it worth changing my plans over? Did we even have a future?
My phone buzzes on the table.
Impeccable timing.
“I’m fine.” I nod, unconvincingly, to Naomi. She raises an eyebrow, clearly skeptical as I squeeze my phone between my palms.
“You sure you don’t want to share?” Her gaze is steady on mine.
“I just have some decisions to make.” I pause, looking down at the steam coming out of our matching Wafflin’ mugs.
Nodding like she understands she says, “You might go back to New York, right?”
“Does everyone know my business around here?” I exaggerate an eye roll at her, pretending to be bothered by the intrusion. In New York, any knowledge my friends had of my life never went further than my work schedule. When I told them I was moving, they were stunned at the realization that I was doing so bad that I needed to get away. The lack of interest in my life was so bad that even the worst of situations wouldn’t have been enough for them to care. Even if the people here in Glendale County didn’t seem to understand personal boundaries, it felt nice to know they cared enough to chit chat about my business.
“You’ve just left a mark on this place, we like to discuss the probability of you sticking around.” She shrugs like this is basic etiquette I need to accept around here.
“Mmhmm,” I hum sarcastically, pulling my mug closer to my face and letting it sit under my nose. The dark roast plows through my nostrils and alerts my brain of its strength. I take a weary sip of the straight, black coffee and just about cough it out of my nose. Naomi stifles a laugh at my pitiful attempt to nonchalantly reach for the small pitcher of creamer.
Empty.
“Sam, could you get me more creamer?” I yell to the bar, rubbing my throat as the bitter taste works its way down.
He makes his way around the bar holding up two hand-sized pitchers. “Which one? We got a new one . . . peppermint, and then cinnamon.” He holds them out, presenting my choices.
I choose cinnamon—like always.
Naomi laughs at my impatience as I take a big sip, relieved from the bitter taste. “It was nice chatting.” She pulls a wrinkled twenty dollar bill out of her pocket and sets it on the table. “I’ll see you at the party.” She goes to leave, waving at Sam and a few other Wafflin’ patrons before turning back to me. “I hope you choose to stay.”
Chapter twenty-five
Benny
"Shereallyisaninteresting looking cat.” Ellie pets Frankie as she paws at the couch.
“You can say ugly, she doesn’t understand you.” I laugh.
She refused to wear her sweater today so she looks like a cross between raw chicken and a gremlin as she sprawls across Ellie’s lap. Ellie is a good sport, tolerating her, when I know full well she is not a fan of the feline species.
“Don’t listen to him,” she whispers to Frankie. “You are beautiful . . . in your own unique way.”
I let out a laugh as I join her and Frankie on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and a fuzzy blanket. According to Ellie, you can’t have a movie night without the two. I throw the blanket over our legs, covering Frankie entirely as she refuses to move.
I hand the popcorn to Ellie and kiss her before she can take a bite, enjoying the sweetness of her bare lips under mine. She lets out a soft sigh as I pull back, she looks happy. She snuggles herself deeper into the blanket, pulling her legs up underneath her as she leans her head back against the couch. The sight surrounds me like a warm hug after a long journey. A sight you want to come home to everyday. A sight of something beautiful and irreplaceable.
“You ready?” she asks, grinning from ear to ear.
“Into the Fireswamp we go.” I wink at her before pressing play onThe Princess Bride.
We watch the movie, munching on popcorn and commentating throughout.
“JustonceI want to call someone a warthog-faced buffoon.” She laughs.
