Page 21 of Caught in the Axe
“Does it matter?” Magnolia asked, frowning. “That whole family is trouble.”
I held my hands up and inhaled deeply, waiting for them to quiet down again.
They were probably right. Most men were trouble, and if our evening spent together was any indication, Owen Hebert was no exception.
“He’s going to pay me thirty dollars an hour,” I said. “And you know I need that money if I’m ever going to afford to move to New York.”
Magnolia wasn’t buying it. “You could do plenty of other things for thirty dollars an hour.”
“Not in Lovewell, Maine.”
“What about stripping?” she asked, grinning. “There’s a club in Heartsborough, and you’ve got great boobs.”
“Jesus, Mags.” Willa fumed. “Are you seriously suggesting she become a stripper?”
“Sex work is real work,” she snapped. “Check your judgment, Dr. Savard.”
Oh great, now my best friends were fighting over me. And not even me, really, but over whether I should consider showing my boobs for money.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” Willa said, narrowing her eyes. “Lila, you are my best friend, and I support you 100 percent regardless of whether you’re working for the Heberts or taking your clothes off.”
“Those are not equivalent options,” I protested with a roll of my eyes.Whydid my friends have to be so dramatic? “I know I’ve been a mess for years. I know you both did superhuman things to help me get my life back together, and I appreciate and love you both so much for that.” I took a deep breath, closing my eyes and summoning all my courage to be completely honest. My friends meant well, but I was beyond tired of being told what was best for me. Like I couldn’t figure it out on my own. “But I want to do this. I need to do this. And I’m going to do this.”
I was met with nothing but silence. Cringing, I cracked one eye open and found my friends smiling at me on the screen.
“Boundary drawn!” Magnolia lifted her martini glass in salute.
“I’m proud of you,” Willa said. “Even though I don’t trust the Heberts, you know what’s best for you.”
“And anything that gets you to New York faster is a good thing,” Mags added.
My heart expanded in my chest, and I couldn’t help but smile right back. God, my friends were fierce, and I was lucky to have them.
Chapter 8
Owen
Istepped inside the Caffeinated Moose and froze.
Main Street didn’t have much aesthetic charm these days, but the inside of this place was a different story.
The space was filled with mismatched wooden tables and chairs that were clearly handmade.
A massive coffee bar was the focal point. Several townspeople occupied the stools in front of it, chatting and reading the newspaper. Behind the bar, two baristas worked the large copper espresso machines with an impressive efficiency.
The chalkboard menu listed the offerings, which included single-origin beans, every type of espresso drink, and some incredible-looking baked goods. The smell of high-quality beans tickled my nose and drew me in.
Shit, this place was nice.
Near the back of the space sat a massive communal table surrounded by beanbag chairs. Kids’ books and toys were neatly stowed on rough-edged wooden shelves on one wall.
It was cozy but clean, and the pastries in the display case were mouthwatering. I couldn’t decide what looked better: the homemade quiche, the muffins, or the pre-wrapped sandwiches on artisan bread. No wonder Lila was so enthusiastic about this place.
About half the seats in the dining area were full, and there were another half dozen or so people waiting in line in front of me.
The woman behind the counter had round cheeks and a bright smile. Her red curly hair was tied back with a bandanna, and she wore a denim apron with the shop’s logo on it.
I’d always preferred a simple Americano, but for days, I’d been craving another latte like the one Lila had brought me.
