Page 16 of Merrily Yours
I wave her off, my attention returning to Colette and her date. She’s fiddling with the rim of the coffee cup—another one of her tells that her date is completely oblivious to.
I bet he’s a banker, he looks like a douchey finance bro.
“You’re a douchey finance bro, too,” Bex says.
I didn’t realize I’d said that out loud.
“Yeah, but I’m not likethat.” I wave toward them, catching Colette’s attention. She glowers at me before returning to her conversation. “He can’t even properly hold her attention!”
Jules huffs. “You’re sulking. Go do something about it if it bothers you that much.”
I sink into my chair, thinking about what Jules is saying. Am I sulking? Do I actually care what Colette Russell thinks of me?
No.
Maybe.
Bleh, I don’t like this much introspection. “So, what’s new with you, Julesy?”
“Smooth transition,” Bex mutters.
I ignore her.
“Nothing really. Things are good,” Jules says, taking pity on me. “I did hear rumors about The Coffee Shop going up for sale. I need to ask Ethel about it.” He drums his fingers on the table nervously.
I know the shop means as much to him as it does to me. He can’t afford it on his teacher salary though, which is why I wanted to corner Ethel this morning. Icanafford it on my douchey finance bro salary.
Leaning in, I whisper, “The rumors are true.”
Jules' head shoots up, his eyes meeting mine. They’re full of poorly concealed hope.
“Fuck,” he mumbles. “How do you know?”
I shrug. “I got Ethel to admit it before you got here.”
“Is that why you were in the supply closet together?” Bex asks.
“Don’t tell Albert.”
She mimes zipping her lips.
“How much do you think they want for it?” Jules asks.
“Doesn’t matter. She said she won’t entertain other offers as long as I’m back by the summer.”
“You’re really moving back?” Bex’s shocked tone matches my twin’s shocked expression.
Boston has been fun. It’s got so much more to offer than Sassafras, but it’s nothome. As much as Bex teases, I am ready to settle down. Find someone who will tolerate me for more than a night. And I miss my family. After growing up attached at the hip to my siblings, I was ready to be on my own. Where I wasn’t one of the Bardots, I was just Ben.
In doing that, though, I lost part of my identity.
Nodding in answer to Bex’s question, I let the idea of moving back really, truly sink in.
And it feels really damn good.
Forty five minutes later, Colette is still making eyes at me as she half-pays attention to blondie. Not the good kind of eyes, however. More like she’s one second away from switching seats so she doesn’t have to keep looking at me.
“Okay, I’m sick of sitting here watching you drool. I’m going home to my own redhead—see you suckers later,” Bex announces, sliding out from her seat and standing to leave.
