Jackie Anne:Now I think you’re losing your mind in your old age.
Tammy Jane:HEY!
Tammy Jane:Also, where’s Kerry? Usually, she would be eating this up!
The morningwe planned to go to Nashville, I was filled with restless energy. I’d worked hard to schedule my meetings with Mitch around the two days I’d be gone so I could be entirely free of work to enjoy my time in a new city.
This wouldn’t be big for anyone else, but for me, it felt like I was finally getting out of my bubble.
Scarlett had encouraged it, even telling me she had friends in Nashville that talked highly of it. Hearing both Theo and Scarlett sound so positive made me feel like this was possible.
And I was ready to get started.
Theo pulled up in front of my apartment at eight on the dot. Kelsey said she would be fine manning the shop by herself, but Theo found a part-time worker who could be trained quickly and was available on the weekends and any time they needed a day off. It would make the workload easier on them both.
He was as nervous as I was, though for different reasons. He loved The Reserved Bean so much and he wanted it to do well. Leaving it in other people’s hands had to be hard.
“Hi,” I said as I climbed into the passenger seat.
Theo was looking at the coffee shop and stopped to give me a kiss. His eyes went right back.
“Kelsey banned me today.”
“As she should.”
“I’m still nervous. It’s Paxton’s first day with just her.”
I nodded along, even though I’d totally forgotten the new barista’s name. “But you trained him well. I bet he’ll do great.”
“I’m hoping so.” His fingers wouldn’t stop drumming on the steering wheel. “We should just go.”
I hummed as I thought about it. “You know, I’d love some coffee first. And I bet you would too. I could go in, see how things are going, and then report back.”
“You would do that?”
“Call me your little spy. Be right back.”
When I walked into the shop, I was used to a warm welcome. This time, Kelsey stared me down.
“Where’s your man?”
“In the car.”
“Did he send you?”
“I sent myself.”
“To do what?” she asked slowly.
“Get coffee, of course. And do a bit of spying.”
“I knew it.” She shook her head. “I told him I’ve got this. Pax knows all the drinks and I’m good with people.”
“I believe you. I’m mostly doing this to soothe him. And because I need caffeine.”
“Fine,” Kelsey muttered. “Two black coffees?”
“Yep.”
