Page 64 of Yours, Forever

"Won't you stay?" Max asked.

Everyone stared at me.

"Can't. Too many people." I pulled a smile up for everyone. "I'm sorry. A friend is coming soon to help and I'll come back, I promise. And it would be amazing if you want to come home for dinner tomorrow."

"We would love that!" Vi exclaimed.

"I'll make something simple for all of you," I said. "Be right back."

I skipped back to the service station and busied myself making coffee for the patrons dropping in. The place was busy enough that some of them, too curious to leave, stood about chatting and stealing glances at Max and his friends.

Gabe, Lina, Jake, and Max laughed, loud enough to catch everyone's attention at once. Javier and Vi grinned at everyone, too, but it wasn't clear who had been the one to say the funny thing. It didn't matter. Everyone in the café seemed to be amused in equal measure.

"Hey there, Eva." Ami, a high school friend, recently returned from a road trip across the North American continent, said across the counter. "I promise I didn't come to take a look at your friends. Joel begged me for a nice cup of coffee, and as a good girlfriend, I know what that means."

I smiled. "It's fine if you want to take a look. We're not used to this, are we? I'm not surprised the town is reacting like this. Is Joel here?"

"Yep. We came together. He's chatting with Max and getting the introductions; I offered to take care of drinks."

I glanced at Max, happily introducing Joel to his friends.

"Manage the payment, okay, Meg? I'll run the espressos for a bit to give you a break." I took a clean basket from the stack, put it in the portafilter, and added grounds to it. "I'm glad to see you, Ami. We missed you around here."

"Things are so different. I've been here for a few months and I'm still not used to it."

"Don't let it scare you, okay?" While coffee dripped into cups, I focused on steaming the milk. "We want this. It's good for all of us."

"I know. Transitions can be hard, but we can do it, right?"

"Yes. Absolutely. We can." I finished the lattes and gave them to Ami.

Ale came into the café; she nodded hello, dropped her things in the backroom, and washed her hands in the small service sink.

"Wow. The town is a-flutter… again." She patted her hands dry with paper towels and jumped in to work.

I released a slow breath, cold through my tense lips. The friend group continued to chat and light up the place with their joy and general vibes. Both Joel and Ami chatted with them.

Peacocks in a town of seagulls. Lovely peacocks. Very curious seagulls.

"We'll get used to it," Ale assured me. "Especially when we see how well all our pockets are lined, and the streets are full of life again."

"True. That is the whole point, isn't it?"

"Why, are you uncomfy?" She leaned closer, keeping this part private. "Please tell me you're not considering buying the mansion and living there alone forever or something. You've always been a little bit of a black cat, but that might be too much."

I snorted. "Not buying the mansion. Not joining the heritage committee. Just a bit overwhelmed."

"Then let me take over. Try to relax; spend time with your husband and his friends. They seem nice."

"How come you got used to all of this so fast?"

"Daniel is happy. It shows in many ways, if you know what I mean. It helps."

"I don't exactly know what you mean, and I'm okay with that."

"Fine. I won't give you the details. Go now."

"Fine." I sighed and started a coffee for myself. "Thanks, Ale."