Page 45 of Library or Lattes?

“What? You’re on her side?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“Willa, honey, you have been a bit preoccupied recently. I know you’re excited about your course, but life goes on at the same time too. I mean, everyone has a lot going on, it’s harder now to keep up with these repairs when the money’s …” He trailed off, like he immediately regretted what he’d said.

“You mean since I quit the coffee shop? So it’s all my fault we have no money?”

“That’s not what I’m saying …”

“Right.” A lump had lodged in my throat.

“That’s not what I meant to say, honey. All I meant was that this old place takes a lot of cash. Those beams, they’re rotting all the way through, and we’re going to have to do something or …” Pop waved the thought away, but I’d already heard it. That was my fault too.

I held up my hands, surrendering to yet another person who was against me. “I get it, Pop. Don’t worry. I really get it.”

And for the second time that night I stormed away, slamming the door behind me.

I didn’t know where I was going this time. I couldn’t go to the coffee shop or to the pizza place, or to the diner, where there’d be someone I knew, because everyone knew everyone in this stupid town. And I wasn’t in the mood to smile and say “Yes, ma’am” and pretend like my life was some rom-com, tied up with a bow. Was this the thanks I got for being Little Miss Helpful all the time? Checking on neighbors, walking dogs, smiling and chatting and always thinking about the next “good thing” I could do?

So I stomped off to the only place where I’d been happy lately, and where I knew nobody would be.

Jo looked up, but not with her usual smile. “Everything okay, Willa?” she asked, but something was off. What was wrong with everyone in this town?

“Fine, thanks,” I said as I walked past, looking forward to falling apart in my seat by the window.

But when I got there, my seat was taken. He was still here.

He wasn’t supposed to be here. He was supposed to be at home, or at Harvest Festival or wherever half-British boys spent their time when they weren’t being horrible to me. I looked behind me, as if I was planning my escape. But I didn’t have anywhere to go.

“You’re here,” I said, barely getting the words out before my face crumpled.

“I’m here, Doc.” Then he was standing up and wrapping his arms around me.

6 Lattes

THANK YOU? NO WORRIES? I couldn’t make sense of the exchange with James at all. It had felt like we were about to kiss again. I was sure of it. But then I wasn’t sure. And now I was so confused. As soon as he said thank you, the whole atmosphere had changed again.

We just had the table to pack away now. I set leftover donuts and muffins in cardboard boxes, and as we both reached for the same tray, our hands brushed. James pulled his hand away like I’d given him an electric shock.

We didn’t speak except when I couldn’t reach the top of the canopy.

I cleared my throat, and he looked over, hand in his hair, like he was irritated.

I pointed up to the canopy. “Can’t reach,” I told him.

He moved in front of me, reaching up so his chest was right in front of my face. And there was my body again, getting it wrong, wanting to lean into the warm, spicy scent and have him wrap his arms around me. Have him call me Red.

At least my head still had some sense. I walked away and put the boxes in the back of the truck.

When I’d finished that, I tied my scarf tightly around my neck and stood awkwardly in front of him as he moved the table. I blurted out, “Do you need me?” and immediately wished I’d chosen different words, because he paused, put down the table, and looked at me as if I’d just asked him the meaning of life.

Now neither of us knew what to say, as the last remaining people bustled around us.

I shook my head. “I mean, do you need me to do anything else before I go? Do you need any more help?”

“Oh,” he replied, and gave a small, sharp laugh. “No, I think that’s it.” He picked up the table again.

“Okay, great. See you tomorrow for my shift, then.” I smiled automatically.

“I can drive you home if you want?” But reluctance dripped from his words.