“You came back because you were unhappy in Boston,” Jules corrects. “And that was partially because your people weren’t there, right?”
Scooping the onions into a nearby bowl, I debate how much I really want to dive into this. If I’m being honest with myself, even after pretending I was fine with Cole asking me to leave, I feel…vulnerable. I don’t think my brothers will judge me for jumping into bed with Cole, but I’m not sure they won’t.
“Of course. But you are my people. Cole is… Cole isn’t even a friend.”
I can sense Gabe and Jules exchanging a look, so I cut this conversation off before they can respond. “How are things with Thea?”
My twin tenses up, casting a glance toward the front door of Gabe and my apartment, and I can’t say I’m sorry for turning the spotlight on his love life instead of mine. He takes his bun out, running his hands through his hair, then quickly retying it—his nervous tic. Thea, our across the hall neighbor, turned out to also be Jules’ “one that got away” after they spent a night together in Boston. She didn’t get too far, though, because they reconnected when she unexpectedly moved to Sassafras, and now she’s pregnant with Jules’ baby.
“Things are fine,” Jules replies.
Gabe answers by throwing a pillow at him. “I’m having déjà vu. You know, because of the whole twin thing. And the whole pretending-like-nothing-is-happening-in-your-personal-lives thing.”
Jules sighs, tossing the pillow back toward our oldest brother. “I’m not pretending like nothing is happening. Things are… complicated with Thea. I want to be involved. I’m ecstatic about being a dad, but she needs time and space. I’m trying to give that to her.”
Alright, Jules’ situation seems a lot more complicated than mine. There’s a fucking kid involved. Well, two because of Thea’s daughter Chloe. Clasping Jules on the shoulder, I squeeze a few times in reassurance. “You’re going to be a great dad, Julien. I’m being serious because I used your full name, see?”
He cracks a smile at that. Gabe hops off the couch, finally making himself useful. “Benoit is right. You’ll be a great dad. Margaritas, anyone?”
Conversation continues, wading into shallower waters. We talk about construction on the coffee shop, Jules has a few ideasfor menu items, and I’m appointed the job of managing the social media.
It’s good. It gives me a purpose in a world where I am still feeling aimless. I thought moving back to Sassafras would be an immediate fix for that, but it appears that I was wrong.
Honestly, I thought maybe Cole would become my purpose—it appears I was wrong about that, as well.
“Ethel! Do you want to be in a TikTok?”
We were at the shop checking in on progress when I spotted Ethel walking by. I know she was just being nosy about the changes that are going on both inside our shop and inside of the dance studio next door that Thea is renovating.
“Oh, I didn’t notice you there Ben-o-it!” She’s a terrible actressandloves to give me grief about the spelling of my name. It’s a deadly combo.
“Well now that you have noticed me, come film a video with me. We can do one about the transition from The Coffee Shop to Bardot Brothers Coffee Co.”
She gives me an appraising look. “Is this what you’re doing with your life now? Making videos?”
Ethel is one to talk. “Ethel, darling. You have fifty-thousand followers on TikTok. You know as well as anyone how important a social media presence is.”
“It’s actually sixty thousand,” she corrects. “And my followers like me because I add value to their lives. I give advice to the young ones, share my OOTD—that stands for outfit of the day—and teach them how to garden. What value are you adding to your followers, Benoit?”
Wow, way to call me out, Ethel.
“I—Well, I mean the goal is to get people to come to the coffee shop…”
She rolls her eyes at me. “Duh.”
Ethel has to be in her mid-seventies, so hearing her say duh is jarring. She takes my silence for what it is—disbelief—finally patting my cheek and telling me she’ll be in a video once I’ve found my value.
“You mean the shop’s value?” I ask.
“No, Ben. Your value.” She pauses, assessing. “I’m volunteering at the library later today, why don’t you come with me?”
Volunteering? It’s not like I can do much at the shop while the contractor is working… “Sure, Ethel. What time?”
That’s how I find myself conducting a pre-school storytime at the Sassafras Public Library. Acting out the conversations between an illustrated pig and elephant. The kids are eating it up, Chloe included. I had no idea she would be here, but we’ve become fast friends, living across the hall from each other. She’s loud and sassy, and throws an amazing tea party. I really lean into the different voices for her benefit.
Afterward, she bounds up to me with excitement written across her little face. “Ben! You are so good at stories! I can’t wait until I can read.”
I ruffle her hair. “You’ll get there soon, Chlo.”
