Page 60 of Finding Romance
But even as I think that, I find myself thinking, “It could work! You could be happy!”
I’m too afraid to believe those words, but they are there, brewing alongside thoughts of being too old and too busy.
“How’s Piper?” Al asks as he stands by the coffee machine, waiting for Cam to make his drink.
“She’s fine, I guess. I’ve only texted her this week. I’m swamped at work,” I explain.
“Oh? Well, you should take a night off. I was going to throw her a little going-away party later since she’ll miss happy hour on Thursday. I didn’t see you check in on the group chat, so make sure to check your text messages later,” Al says. He’s right. I haven’t looked at my phone in hours.
I swallow a lump in my throat. I’ve been putting off thinking about Piper leaving. I know she booked a plane ticket from here directly to Seattle. Part of me thinks this is for the best. A clean break before I get too attached and likely ruin things between us. Another part of me is screaming to stop her from leaving, but I push that thought back deep into the recesses of my brain.
Deciding to switch topics, I turn back to Cam. “Any word on you buying this place?” I ask.
She smiles and nods. “I met with Phyllis, the owner, and we have an agreement on a transition plan, and yesterday,” she says, then turns to Al and says, “Drum roll, please.”
Al gives a drum roll.
“I got approved for my small business loan!” she says excitedly as she claps her hands. “I was going to tell everyone at happy hour, but who am I kidding. I’m way too excited to keep that shit to myself.”
“Wow! That’s great news!” Al says.
“Congratulations. That’s wonderful news,” I add.
“Thank you both. Prepare to taste test a ton of baked goods and new coffees! Drew and I have been spending every night coming up with ideas,” she says with a grin.
“Well”—Al pats his stomach—“we all know I’m an excellent taste tester.”
Cam giggles and hands Al his drink and then hands me mine. “Don’t forget the water,” she calls out after me as she passes me a bottled water. Something she’s now begun to do with every coffee purchase I make.
Al motions to the water as we exit. “What’s up with the added hydration?” he asks.
I groan. “I’ve been having to double up with caffeine lately. Work has been crazy busy. I’m debating whether or not I’ll even have time to be on-site for the project that I’ve been wrapping up. I was going to fly over to Berlin and meet with the team in person, but I don’t think I’ll be able to make it work. I need my setup here to complete the other projects.”
Al pats my back. “Kasen, you need a break, my friend. You work too hard all the time. I know you love your work but maybe take a few days off. There’s a whole world out here.” He pauses and points to the park. “Piper has an uncanny ability to see the world through a different lens. She’s brought life back to our greenhouse and I just commissioned her to finish a set of lily pad and frog paintings for me.”
“You did?” I ask.
He nods. “Her artwork is phenomenal. Edith would love it,” he says sadly. Now it’s me who pats him on the back. Just like everyone in the building, we all miss his wife. She was like the grandmother figure and wise friend that everyone needed. “My poker friend’s wife owns an art gallery, I’m trying to see if she’ll show some of Piper’s art.”
My heart lurches at the thought of her having her art in a local gallery. Would she move here? I quickly squash that idea. I need to stop trying to keep Piper as mine. She deserves someone who isn’t so mentally messed up.
“That’s great,” I reply, attempting to sound enthusiastic.
Al turns to me as we reach the door to the building.
“Kasen, let me give you a little advice. I know there’s some song about a man being a rock or an island or something, but you are not an island. I know your life has had its challenges, but don’t block people because of that. Do I miss Edith? Yes, every damn day. Would I give up the years I had with her because of how sad I have been since she died? Hell no. I’m thankful for every minute I had with her. She made me better and she made my life better. Consider that,” he says as he lets go of my arm that he’s grabbed. He motions toward the park and I see Piper painting in her usual spot on the bench.
I nod, unable to answer because of the swell of emotion rising in my throat.
“Good.” He tips his hat and walks inside, leaving me standing there staring at Piper as she paints. She has on headphones and the protector in me is mad at her for not paying attention to her surroundings. I walk toward her without thought, as if we’re magnets that are trying to connect. I feel lighter the closer I get to her. She’s like a planet of happiness and I’m getting sucked into her gravitational pull.
I’m surprised when she looks up at me before I’ve even gotten within two feet of her.
She smiles and pulls off her headphones. “Hey,” she says cheerfully.
“Hey,” I reply. I nod toward the painting she’s working on. “Looks good.”
“Sort of. I want to try a new technique on the flowers. I’m just debating if I’ll do it on this one or start another,” she says with a frown as she sizes up her work.
