Page 123 of With Us

“Hey!”

“Fine.Ournames,” he amended with a dramatic sigh.

As he spoke on the phone to someone about the security tapes, I tried to find a way to gently steer the conversation to Theo and what was happening. Similar to how I redirected small talk conversations, I needed to choose my phrasing carefully. It was only when I began to listen closer did I realize how vague and guarded his responses were. I could hear the muffled voice on the other side speaking a lot, which meant Ben wasn’t watching what he said to them.

He was watching what he said in front of me.

So much for all the openness.

Bringing my feet up onto the seat, I wrapped my arms around my legs and rested my cheek on my knee. The city was passing by outside at a slow crawl as we moved through traffic. The streets were filled with people leaving work. Forgetting about my life for a while, I people watched and made notes of new places I wanted to go.

It didn’t make me feel completely better, but it did a lot to help.

???

“Run that by me again,” I said, hoping I’d heard wrong.

Wendy’s lips pressed together as she shook her head. Her big eighties hair and multiple scarf headbands swayed with the movement. She looked like a mix of a hippie, Jack Sparrow, and Axl Rose.

And I thought I had fashion identity issues.

“I’m sorry, Dahlia. You know I adore you. But Mystic Stone said I need to close. Caffeine is bad for the body, and that’s bad for the soul. That dark cloud is tainting my aura.”

Maybe this was something you could’ve decided on earlier than Friday, and not after I worked my full week.

I’d already been leaning toward quitting. As in, leaning so far I was practically horizontal. Finding out Java Brew was closing, however, left me no safety net.

Maybe that was a good thing. Aneededthing.

I’d declined the grocery store job offer because I hadn’t wanted to be complacent. Having Java Brew around would have allowed me to continue in my rut.

“I just signed on a new building that I’m going to completely renovate and turn it into a spiritual wellness center. Hot yoga, aura readings, spiritual advisement. I’m going all out so I can clear my karma for polluting bodies with that poison. Maybe once I get set up, you can come work there? Quinoa bars, kale smoothies, things like that?”

I couldn’t fight my grimace at the idea of serving someone a kale smoothie. “I appreciate the offer, but I hope I’m all set by then.”

“I really am sorry,” Wendy said, pulling me into a hug.

“It’s okay,” I said, meaning it. I returned her patchouli scented hug, only half meaning it.

With Java Brew closing, I couldn’t be complacent anymore. I needed to make a decision about what I wanted to do.

I gathered my things and looked around. While I certainly wasn’t going to miss the ridiculously early mornings, the crowds, or the psychic opinions, the place held a lot of good memories. I could almost hear the beans crunching under my feet as I thought about meeting Theo that first morning.

Walking out of the building for the last time, I expected to feel a weight on my shoulders. The pressure and panic that came with the change.

I didn’t.

There was an odd peace that settled around me. A giddy excitement. Anticipation.

And a tiny sliver of hope.

I’d clearly lost my mind.

Whistling, I headed out to where the SUV waited for me.

Luc climbed out, eyeing me as I approached. His sour expression showed he was still upset I continued to deny his invitation to see Theo. He looked around me to Java Brew then back at me. “What’s going on?”

“Wendy is closing Java Brew.”

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