I unlock the door to the café, the familiar chime of the bell ringing as I step inside. The smell of coffee and baked goods lingers in the air.
My contractorfinally emailed me a few days ago and sent a firm opening date for the third week of May. This means that in just three weeks I will officially be open for business! I have completed all the deliveries that need to be placed, and everything should be here and ready to go before opening.
This news feels like a shot of adrenaline straight to my heart. After months of sweat, sleepless nights, and endless decisions, the finish line is finally in sight.
I’m a few steps into my day when I hear the doorbell ring and the door opening. I turn to find Josh standing by the counter, looking a little tired, but still smiling.
“Morning Mills! Can you make me your favorite coffee and pack me some pastries to go?” He asks, clearly in need of caffeine.
I laugh and pull on my apron. “Sure thing, Josh. No partner this morning?”
“Nah, he is off for the next three days, so we are on opposite schedules right now,” he says with a shrug, a slight grin forming on his face as he leans against the counter.
I decide to make him my current favorite drink—a coconut cream latte. I have been thinking about adding it to the summer main menu, and I’m curious to see what he thinks.
I grab a lemon bar, a buttered croissant, and a chocolate chip cookie and place them in a pastry box for easy transport.
“Alright J, here’s everything. Your total is $16.50,” I announce.
Josh hands me the money, and I input it into the register. Before he leaves, I decide to ask him about Gabriel.
“What do you think about Gabriel?” I blurt out, surprising myself with how direct I’ve become.
Josh turns towards me, raising an eyebrow. “Well, what do you want to know? I mean, I think he is a good guy. Why do you ask?”
I hesitate, feeling a little self-conscious. “Well, I may have offered to nanny Aura for him while he works…”
Josh breaks into a grin. “That’s great, Mills! You’ve alwaysbeen so great with kids. You’re going to be good for that baby girl. She’s such a cutie.”
I smile, glad to hear some positive reinforcement. “Since when did you become such a teddy bear, Josh? You never cared about kids before and suddenly you can’t stop singing praises about your partner’s baby?”
He shrugs nonchalantly, though there’s a softness in his eyes that wasn’t there before. “I guess Aura just has that effect on people. Plus, Gabriel’s been a great partner to me. It’s nice to see him in a different light, you know?”
“Yeah, I get that,” I murmur, thinking about how Gabriel has been acting toward me lately. Maybe there’s more to him than I thought.
Josh waves goodbye, taking his pastries and coffee, and I turn back to the counter, a little more confident in my decision to help with Aura.
I get home just after 4 p.m., already feeling the weight of the evening ahead. I head to the shower, needing to wash the weariness of the day off. As I step out, I stare at the closet, unable to decide what to wear.
I try on a few outfits but end up making a mess of my bedroom. Eventually, I settle on wearing jeans and a baby doll tank top that accentuates my curves in just the right way. I want to look good, but not too good. This is a work thing, after all.
Sitting at my vanity to reapply my foundation and put some blush on my eyelids for some color. I’m not one to wear a ton of makeup, but the three products I can’t live without are blush, mascara, and my brow pencil. They’re all I need to feel put together.
I look at my clock and see that it is almost five. I leave early and stop at Target to pick up a gift for Aura.
The baby section is overwhelming, and I end up wanderingaimlessly for a while, unsure of what to buy. I end up choosing a cute outfit in 3-6 months and a panda lovey blanket. It’s simple, sweet, and practical.
On my way out, I pick up some snacks for myself—and for Gabriel, just in case. I grab jerky, trail mix, and candy. I figure one of these is a safe bet.
The drive to Gabriel’s house, the neighborhood familiar from when he texted me the address last night. I take my time driving, pulling into his driveway at 5:55 pm.
Five minutes early—that isn’t too early, is it?I park my car behind the white Honda in the driveway. I can only assume it belongs to Gabriel since he said he was off and his mom is most likely not here.
Gabriel’s house is a white brick house with wood accents. I can only imagine how light and airy the inside is, especially being this close to the water.
I hop out of my car and walk up the stone-paved walkway. Both sides have pink and white hydrangeas.I wonder if he planted these?
When I reach the big double wooden doors, I hesitate before knocking. Surely he knows I’m here. I mean, he can probably see me through the windows.
