“It wasn't just some guy. Do you really think Noel would do that?”
He sighs heavily. “No. He wouldn’t do that. At least not intentionally.”
“I’m twenty years old. I’m old enough to make my own decisions and my own mistakes.” Turning around, I grab another chocolate. The only thing calming my nerves. “Maybe you should concentrate on your own relationship in the future and not worry so much about mine.”
The bell dings, and Julian strolls in to take over Cam’s shift. No wonder she’s been feeling tired lately. Everything makes sense now.
“What’s going on here? We have a lineup. Is it happy hour or something?”
“We had a bit of drama,” Cam says.
“Oooooh, drama’s my middle name. Spill the tea.”
“Gray basically caused a storm in a teacup and ruined everything.” I glare at Gray again and he huffs through his nostrils. I know he’s still annoyed about everything, but there’s a softness in his eyes every time he looks at Cam.
Gray holds Cam from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder and smoothing his hands over her belly. “Do you want to tell him, or shall I?”
Julian glances at his hands on Cam’s already round, pillowy stomach, then back to the dopey smile on their faces. “I knew it. I predicted it. The leaves never lie.”
“Yeah, yeah, all right, cosmic warrior.” Gray chuckles.
“What did you predict?” Cam asks.
“A new beginning and growth. Gray thought it meant growth of the business, but I knew different. I’m not sure what the severed ties meant, though. Gray was worried it was your relationship. That’s why he’s been on edge for weeks, but I said he had nothing to worry about in that respect.”
Gray runs a hand over his face. “I guess we know what that means now, don’t we?”
I rush outside and find Noel’s empty cup on the veranda, then take it back inside to the kitchen. Julian dons his apron that says, ‘Camp as Christmas’ with the pride rainbow stripes.
“Julian, what do these leaves mean?” I hand him Noel’s cup, hoping he can give me answers, or a little hope.
He examines the cup, raising his brow. “Hmmm. Difficult one to read. I’m seeing a lonely person, or someone single. A choice has to be made. It will come with great sacrifice.” Julian looks at me with eyes wide as saucers. “Is this your cup?”
“No. Why?”
“There’s a storm brewing.”
I snort. “Yeah. It’s already passed. We were in the eye of it. I’m sure Gray will fill you in with all the details.” I can’t imagine things getting worse. This morning, I was planning my move to California. Now I’m not sure Noel would even want me there.
NOEL
The Christmas in July boat parade is in full swing. I pan the camera around, getting a shot of the crowd. Merrick waves his hand before striding over. Will the people of this town ever learn to act natural on camera?
“Hey, Noel. You look as bad as I feel. I heard what happened at Tranquili-tea,” Merrick says, tapping his pencil against his chin.
“You and the rest of the town. I can’t walk down the street without someone pointing a finger at me.” One perk of city life is everyone's too far up their own ass to care about whatever is happening with other people. It makes me wonder again what a life with Glory could be away from all of this. But sigh. That boat’s sailed.
He pats me on the back. “It’ll blow over. Don’t sweat it too much.” The sketch under his arm captures the scene before us. He’s always been a talented artist, and good at fixing things. If only he could fix my relationships with Gray and his sister.
“She never spoke to me this morning, and it’s been awkward as fuck all week, man. Not to mention Gray. I’ve avoided the tea shop like the plague.”
“You need to straighten it out before you go, man. You can’t go back to LA with things how they are. Stop by the tea shop and explain things.”
“I know you’re right, Merrick. Maybe you should take some of your own advice, huh?”
Panning the camera around to get a shot of the crowd, I spot Grayson. He’s staring right at me with his arms folded, though he hasn’t got the same angry red face like a bulldog chewing a wasp. He must have digested everything since that day. Perhaps the news of being a dad has made him see the bigger picture.
I want nothing more than to go over and sort it out, but I’m working. The boats sail down the estuary. Each one decked out like a Christmas tree, promoting local business and charities.
