"Because..." She trails off. "I don't know. It feels like too much."
"Too much how?"
"Like you're sacrificing for me."
I cross to her. Take her hands. "It's not a sacrifice if I want to do it. And I do want to be here. I want to help you build this. And I want to be part of your life in every way possible."
Her eyes go shiny. "You mean that."
"Every word."
She kisses me. Right there in the shop with the morning light streaming through the windows and anyone could walk in and see.
When we break apart, she's smiling. "Okay. But you're on fryer duty permanently."
"Deal."
The rest of the morning passes quickly. Customers come and go. I work the register while Callie restocks and preps for tomorrow. We move around each other easily. No awkwardness. No tension. Just two people working together.
Around eleven, the rush dies completely. Callie locks the front door and flips the sign to closed.
"Lunch break," she says. "You hungry?"
"Starving."
We walk to the deli two blocks over. Order sandwiches. Eat at a small table by the window. Outside, Hearts Bend moves at its usual pace. People shopping. Cars passing. Normal Monday afternoon.
"I talked to my landlord this morning," Callie says suddenly.
"Yeah?"
"The space next to the shop. It's been vacant for months. I asked about renting it. Expanding."
"What'd they say?"
"They're interested. We're meeting next week to discuss terms."
Pride swells in my chest. "That's great, Callie."
"I couldn't have done it without you. Without feeling settled enough to take the risk."
"You would've gotten there eventually."
"Maybe, but having you here makes it easier. It makes everything easier."
I reach across the table. Take her hand. "You make everything easier for me too. You know that, right?"
"I'm starting to."
We finish lunch and walk back to the shop. She unlocks the door and we step inside. The afternoon sun slants through the windows. Everything is clean and quiet. Waiting for tomorrow.
My phone buzzes. Work email. Client asking about timeline for the final deliverables.
I respond quickly. Provide an update and promise to have everything done by end of week.
"Everything okay?" Callie asks.
"Yeah. Just work stuff."
