Page 15 of Unexpected Love
Holding my breath, I lift a shoulder, faking a calmness I don’t actually feel. “Well, for starters, it’s more wood, less brick, and has more of a farmhouse feel to it.”
“Did you get the link to the chalkboards I sent? Oh, and I forwarded over the contact of my honey supplier.”
I hide a cringe. “I did, thanks. Not sure I’m going withthe chalkboard setup. At least not one as big as here. Oh, I should have a copy of that contract by tomorrow.”
Lissette frowns, shaking her head. “I told you, I don’t care about a contract.”
Unease swirls through my stomach. “And I told you, I’m not agreeing to using the name of the business you built without one in place. It feels like I’m climbing the ladder rungs on your back already.”
“You’re not. I love the idea, and I think it’s smart. We can advertise together, run promos together.”
That doubt huddling in the back of my mind sparks to life. The closer it comes to opening time, the more I struggle with our original plan to open a second shop called the Daily Brew Two.
I push the doubt aside and roll my eyes at my best friend.
“Let me get the shop open before you start making massive plans for us.”
“I’m just trying to help. Especially since I couldn’t be there to help you move. Did you meet your neighbors yet? Any repercussions?”
“Not yet. I tried doing my stress-buster dance sesh to ABBA last night, and they banged on the wall. Again.”
“Rude.”
“Well, I mean… it was nearly ten o’clock, and I did have my music up pretty loud. I totally get it. I think they must work some kind of weird schedule. I should pay better attention. If they bang on the wall, turn it down. If they don’t… the coast is clear.”
The shop door opens, and a group of ladies piles in. A smile erupts on my face as I recognize my friend. Jordan and I lived on the same street before a tornado ripped apart the neighborhood. It was ironic that we’d barely met whileliving on the same cul-de-sac prior to the storm, and now we’d reconnected via the coffee shop.
“Jules,” she calls out, barreling over with her arms outstretched for a hug.
“Hey, girl. I’ve got things all set for book club. You guys can head on back, and I’ll make a pot of tea.”
Jordan leads her friends Leah and Kylie to the back, where we have our monthly meeting. This month, we’ve selected a rom-com featuring a mustachioed rugby player.
Lissette passes behind the counter. “I’ll handle the tea and send everyone else back.”
“I wish you’d try book club at least once. Expand your horizons a little.”
“Eh, no thanks. I don’t do romance. But let me know when you guys do a thriller, and I’m all in.”
Yeah, that wasn’t going to be anytime soon. At best, maybe I’d get her to try a romantic suspense. But whatever. It’s her loss. Book club is always a hilarious time, especially if the older ladies show.
Lissette shoos me away with the flick of a wrist, and I join the group gathering on the couches in the back of the shop. This is the one program I hope to continue in my new shop.
Book club ismybaby. Lissette was skeptical to begin with, but we’ve more than doubled in size every month, and now we host a good twenty or more ladies. Lissette’s forte is art, as evidenced by the ever-changing paintings displayed for commission, another program I’m planning to offer.
“How’s it goin’, Jules?” Kylie asks when I take the seat next to her.
“It’s good. I’m tired. Working a full shift here and then doing after-hours work planning the new place. But I’m hoping for a soft open in a few weeks.”
“Oh wow, that’s fast,” Jordan pipes in.
“Yeah, I’m trying to be optimistic that it’s going to happen. I hope you guys will come down and see me.”
“Oh, absolutely,” Leah says. “It’s not like you’re moving far away. Senoma is, what? Not even a half-hour drive? I think it’s great that you’re branching out.”
I shrug, ducking my head. “It took me long enough to figure things out. But thirty-eight isn’t too late to start over, is it?”
“It’s never too late to start over,” Jordan gushes. “But for real, you’re thirty-eight? I don’t know why I thought you were a bunch older than me.” Pink spreads across Jordan’s cheeks as her eyes widen.
