“Grace! It’s going well, how are you?” A Latina woman with thick black curls and a black t-shirt that said “Do no harm but take no shit” stood behind the counter. Maggie’s cheeks heated.Here was someone else who had turned her away when she first arrived.
“I’m great! Maggie has put Too Sweet on social media and business is picking up after only a week!”
Rosa tilted her head and turned her attention to Maggie. “Really? Social media is such a pain.”
“Are you managing it yourself?” Maggie asked.
“As well as I can,” Rosa said. “Can I get you ladies anything?”
“I’ll have a lavender lemonade.” Grace said.
“I’d like to try the Mexican hot chocolate.” Maggie licked her lips. The wind was chilly today, and she could use warming up.
Rosa joined them around a table, leaning her chin on her hand. “Can I see what you’re doing for Grace?”
“Sure.” Maggie pulled up the Too Sweet page on her phone and spun it to face Rosa. “She does well on the Gram, because of all the beautiful pictures. But I’m trying out short videos as well and they’re doing really well with the current algorithm.”
“Hmm.” Rosa scrolled through the page, her brown eyes thoughtful. Then she turned to Grace. “Do you think the karaoke regulars would care if we filmed them?”
“I’m sure you could get some of to us to agree to it.” Grace took a sip of her lemonade.
Maggie’s gaze pinged back and forth between them. “Karaoke?” Did her new friend sing as well as bake?
Rosa pointed at the neon sign with her logo of a smiling theater mask. “Originally, I had a comedy and open mic night when I opened. That’s where you get the ‘Ha’ in ‘Brew-Ha’s’.” She chuckled to herself. “But without a lot of talent it devolved into karaoke.”
“What do you serve?”
Rosa shrugged. “Same things I usually serve. Though I sell a lot more decaf those nights.” Grace squirmed next to Maggie asRosa continued. “And Grace sometimes brings her test batches. It’s only once a month.”
“That’s so cool!” Maggie’s mind spun with ideas. “That could definitely work.”
Rosa raised her cup and toasted Maggie. “Thanks. I don’t post as much as I’d like because there just isn’t enough time. But I do have accounts set up.”
“I’m doing a trial run for Anna. If you’re interested, let me know.”
Rosa plucked a business card from the windowsill and handed it to Maggie. “Email me your rates and we’ll talk.”
“Thanks, Rosa.”
“Now…” Rosa’s electric smile stretched across her face. “What’s this rumor I hear about our newest resident bringing Luke Graham home for good?”
Chapter 17
Maggiehummedtoherselfas she parked her car in the Haven lot, her heart light. Grace and Rosa had promised to keep an ear out in case of any apartments coming up for rent, and she would soon be making enough to cover a lease. She happened to look down at the welcome mat when she opened the door to the Haven and saw it.
Another package with her name on it, with the Haven’s address.
She picked it up and carried it inside. Virginia called out from the living room.
“Maggie, is that you?”
“It’s me, Virginia.” She rounded the corner into what Victorians probably called the parlor, and found her hostess sitting on the sofa with her cross-stitch in her lap and a tea service on the low table in front of her.
“Would you care for some tea?”
“Tea sounds lovely.” Maggie set the package on the couch beside her and poured herself a cup.
Maggie sipped her tea as Virginia asked about her day. When she told her about the social media accounts she’d taken on, Virginia asked if she’d do the same for the Haven.
