Page 40 of Barefoot Dreams
“Now we’re talking.”
I tell Lia to step in to take the next order and I make Griff’s drink myself, creating a brand-new brew right on the spot. Something that speaks to me.
“Here you go.” I hand over the cup with warm brew in it and a flaky croissant, freshly baked this morning.
“Thank you, Birdy.”
There. There’s my middle name that he turned into my nickname on his lips again.
No one called me Birdy until Griffin started doing it. It was just a middle name before, just something to have like many others do, but he used it back when we were kids, and it forever belongs to him now.
No one else calls me Birdy.
I don’t let anyone do it.
I don’t think it was something I decided on consciously but more of a gut reaction after he left. Someone would say, Birdy and I’d correct them to call me Julie. Even my mom and dad.
“You’re welcome! Come back here afterward and tell me how it went.” Griffin nods.
“I hope you have something for a pick-me-up when this falls through.”
“Oh no! You’re not going in with that kind of attitude, mister! You’re Griffin Owling, you can do anything! Why are you laughing right now?” I ask when I notice him rolling his lips, trying to suppress it.
“That little stomp of your foot was very convincing,” he says and barks out that laugh.
“Oh whatever.” I punch his shoulder, wearing a smile of my own. “Get going already. Don’t waste my magical pep talk.”
“I’m going, I’m going.” He winks, walking out with a smile.
Ugh, settle down little heart… Friends. We are just friends. We can be friends without catching those silly feelings again, right?
As if to remind me that even if I wanted to I shouldn’t, Owen texts me asking when we can see each other again, and I reply saying I’ll let him know when I’m free again.
It’s not that what we have is serious or could even be confusing dating, really. We only shared all of two kisses in all the time we’ve spent together because I can’t allow more.
I can’t lie and go there with him when I’m not ready.
The problem is, after seeing Griffin again I’m not sure if I’ll ever be, but all of my inner thoughts get lost in the chaotic routine that is my work.
I get lost in the never-ending stream of customers, of creating magic in their cups, of sinking my fingers into fresh dough as I prepare it for tomorrow’s sale. Yet, in the back of my mind, I keep sending positive energy Griffin’s way. He needs it. I could sense it from the first day I saw him. And I don’t just mean from a week ago.
I’ve known Griffin my whole life—since we were kids—and he always lacked sunshine and whatever happened to him in the Air Force clearly hasn’t made things easier. He seems even more lost now.
I should get him some sage. It always helps me with mental clarity.
The day runs its course, and I might’ve overdone it on the energy syphoning today because I feel drained but it’s nothing a hot shower, hearty meal, and my special brew can’t fix. Right inthat order. But before I can take another step, a knock sounds on my door.
Who could it possibly be? Everyone knows I don’t ever lock my front door.
“Birdy! Whatever you put in that cup, I need more of it!” Griffin proclaims as soon as I open the door, his smile is wide and beaming. His hair sticking out in all directions as if he ran his fingers through it one too many times and his scent is so much stronger than it was this morning. That woodsy smell, more potent after a day of work and it works like catnip on me. Always had.
I have no idea why I didn’t expect it to be him, but the thought didn’t even cross my mind and now I’m standing here, gaping and inhaling full lungful of him.
Twice in one day.
Maybe I am dreaming after all?
“Birdy?” Griff loses the easy smile he was wearing and replaces it with concern.
