After the movie, when June gets her boots on, she pulls me into a hug. I’m frozen at first purely out of surprise because I didn’t expect it, then I hug her back.
“I’m here for you, Mae. You’re my friend, and I’ve got your back no matter what you decide to do, but …” she trails off, and I pull away to look her in the eye.
She smiles. “I get it. I can’t even explain to youhowmuch I get how you’re feeling, but I keep telling myself if I don’t try, then I’ll never know. I’m not sayingthe oneis here, or going out on one date with any guy is the right choice for you, but you’re a good one, and I think Cooper noticed that, hence the flirting. So maybe just think about diving back in, okay?”
I nod because I don’t know what else to say. Maybe she’s right. Maybe I’m keeping myself from potential happiness because I’m too afraid of getting hurt or let down like I have in the past. But I’m tired ofplaying the game.I’m ready to get out of the game, for good, with or without someone at my side.
***
Running late, I finish up a six-month projection and send it to my boss before heading to the shop. I’ve been up since five in the morning and the three cups of coffee I had already wore off.
Part of me is a little excited because I have three deliveries to make. But I have to actually put the arrangements together, and I’m cutting it close.
As I roll into town, I pull into my parking spot on the side of the building and walk down the street to the Booked Bean.
The smell of cookies and coffee wafted into my nose, making my shoulders drop a little. It’s busy as usual. People heading out of Paxton who work in the city, grabbing their coffee before they go. A group of women who all have the same book, likely meeting for their book club.
Orders are shouted, and I wait my turn, looking around. The walls have floor to ceiling shelves filled with books. I’ve spotted some history, I even noticed a few math books, with a ton of fiction littered throughout. There’s two couches in the corner of the cafe and the rest are small tables with chairs.
I never thought to come here and work, but I feel like I’d enjoy it.
A throat clears behind me. “Ma’am,” a man says.
I glance over my shoulder. “You’re next,” he says.
The girl behind the register stares at me with a smile on her face.
“Oh, sorry,” I mutter.
He chuckles. “That’s alright.”
Stepping up to the counter, I order a cappuccino with four shots of espresso.
“Boy, do you plan on sproutin’ wings and flyin’ away?” he asks.
I smile at him over my shoulder as the girl tells me the amount. He’s cute. Relatively tall, broad shoulders, brown hair and eyes. Before I can dig my card out of my purse, his arm brushes mine with a bill in his hand. “On me. I’ll have a black cup of coffee, please, fill it to the brim, Chrissy,” he says.
“Oh, no, that’s okay. Idon’t—”
He holds up his hand. “It’s my pleasure.”
Chrissy hands him his change, and he shoves it in his pocket as we move to the side to pick up our drinks.
“I’m Jacob,” he says.
“Mae, and thank you for the coffee,” I tell him.
He smiles and dips his chin. “I don’t think I’ve seen you around here,” he says.
I pin my lips together. I think I should start charging people for saying that to me. This town is so tight-knit that everyone notices someone new. “Yeah, I’m not from around here. My aunt used to run the Paxton Flower Shop.”
“Ah okay. And she’s not anymore?”
I shake my head. “It’s all me now.”
“Nice, do you enjoy it?” he asks me.
I study him carefully, and his expression is open.Kind.He genuinely wants to hear the answer.
