Page 65 of The Uncomplicated Café
“To be fair,” Sage interjected, “with everyone streaming movies at home, the business wasn’t very sustainable.”
“Maybe,” Mia conceded, “but it’s still a shame to have it just sit here, unused, unless someone wants to rent it out for a random event once in a blue moon.”
“What do you suggest they do with it?” Abby asked.
“I don’t know,” Mia admitted. “Reopen it as a historic landmark?”
“Sounds expensive,” Nadia pointed out.
“Maybe Jayce would have an idea,” CeCe offered. “He loves this place.” As kids, they’d spent multiple nights a week in the theater, feeding Jayce’s insatiable fascination with the film industry. He’d be sad to see it close its doors for good.
“Hang on.” Mia narrowed her blue eyes into a scrutinizing squint. “Did something happen between you two?”
“What do you mean?” CeCe flushed, grateful no one could tell in the dim lighting.
“The way you said Jayce’s name just now sounded different,” Mia asserted, studying her closely.
“Don’t be silly,” CeCe deflected.Great.She hadn’t counted on Mia’s superhuman sleuthing skills.
Mia swiped the flashlight feature on her phone and aimed the beam directly in CeCe’s face like a police interrogator. “Spill.”
“There’s nothing to spill.” CeCe shielded her eyes from the bright light. “At least, not anything that can’t wait.” She darted a meaningful glance at Abby.
As if reading her mind, Abby said, “Don’t hold back on my account. Is Mia right? Did something happen between you and Jayce?”
CeCe waved a hand at Mia, who lowered her blinding cell phone. With all eyes on her, heat swept across CeCe’s face. But so did a giddy smile. “Actually, yes.” She held up her left hand, wiggling her ring finger.
Her friends stared blankly.
“I don’t get it,” Sage confessed. “We already know about your fake engagement.”
“Wait!” Mia cried, grabbing CeCe’s hand for a closer look. “This is a different ring!”
CeCe’s grin widened. Mia really did have a gift for observation.
“A different ring?” Abby asked, wrinkling her brow. “What does that mean?”
“It means,” CeCe said slowly, her heart fluttering. “That Jayce proposed for real. And I accepted.”
Their shocked gasps and squeals echoed around the room.
Mia jumped up and down like a little kid on a pogo stick. Abby and Nadia cheered.
CeCe turned to Sage, her dearest friend in the group, and the one who knew her best, hoping she’d be happy with the news.
Her friend gazed at her with joyful tears in her pale green eyes. “I’m so thrilled for you both!” She drew CeCe into her arms, and whispered, “I’ve been praying for this.”
Her throat suddenly tight, CeCe returned her hug.
“When did it happen?” Sage asked, taking a step back.
“A few days ago,” CeCe admitted sheepishly.
“And you’ve waited this long to tell us!” Mia cried. “For shame!”
“We didn’t want to draw attention from Abby and Logan’s big day.”
“That’s sweet, but definitely not necessary,” Abby said with a bright, genuine smile. “Your good news only adds to the celebration.”
