Page 42 of Set to Love

Zoe places a hand on my arm. “What about the location? How far are you willing to travel?”

“Honestly? Anywhere.”

For the right coach, I’d drive ninety minutes each way without a second thought. It’s funny how quickly your priorities snap into focus when your dream is on the line.

“Okay,” Zoe says, giving my arm a supportive squeeze. “I’ll keep it vague and say I’m asking for a friend. Which is true enough.”

Randy pokes his head into the kitchen, looking like he’s aged five years since the doors opened. “Hey, ladies. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we’re officially low on forks and knives.”

I sigh, my gaze drifting to the ever-expanding mountain of dishes in the sink. “I’m on it, Randy.”

Zoe takes one more sip from her tea and brushes her hands against her apron. “I’d better get up to the front so Leon can take his break.”

“Good luck,” I say wearily.

“You too.” She pauses at the swinging door, looking back at me with a pointed stare. “I’ll be back to break you in an hour. No. More. Caffeine.”

“Yes ma’am,” I nod and turn back to the sink. I just hope that by the time I finally see Max tonight, I’m still standing.

“And . . . we’re officially clear,” I say.

I flip the “Open” sign to “Closed” and lean my forehead against the cool glass for a second. Behind me, Leon, Randy, Zoe, and Lina collapse into the nearest chairs like puppets with their strings cut.

“Brava, everyone. I can’t thank you enough for all the help,” Lina says. Her face is flushed, but her eyes are sparkling. She claps her hands together, surveying us. “This was a real team effort.”

“Hear, hear,” Leon adds, half-heartedly banging his hand against the table.

“I think I should break out the special reserve dessert wine,” Lina says with a conspiratorial glint. “Let me go find the good corkscrew.”

“I’ll help you with the glasses,” Leon says, standing up and following her toward the back.

I check my watch. It’s ten-thirty p.m. Half an hour later than I told Max. At the rate we’re going, I won’t get out of here until past eleven. Honestly, the thought of driving anywhere makes my vision swim and my brain start to shut down. But I promised Max, and I really do want to see him.

“I think I’ll pass on the wine.” I slowly stand, stretching my lower back. “I’ll grab the mop water. I want to get a head start on the floors.”

“Come on, Katie, we need some downtime,” Randy whines.

“Yeah.” Zoe eyes me, a slow smirk spreading across her face. “It’s not like you’ve got a hot date with Max or something.”

These guys aren’t making it easy.

“Actually, I do,” I admit, my cheeks heating up.

“Why didn’t you say something? We would’ve had you outta here ages ago,” Zoe says, perking up. “Go. Don’t keep him waiting. Randy and I can finish up.”

“Yeah, get out of here,” Randy adds, shaking his head. “We’ll have the place back to normal before Lina and Leon make it back here with the wine.”

Zoe and I both look at him, confused.

“I walked in on them in the office last night,” he whispers. “They were making out like a pair of lovesick teenagers.”

“Aww,” Zoe and I say in perfect unison.

“Should we start a pool on when the wedding is gonna be?” she asks. “I’m taking four months. I’m an optimist.”

“Put me down for a year,” I say. “It took them forever to agree to a first date.”

“I’ll split the difference and say eight months,” Randy chimes in.