Page 50 of OMG Christmas Tree
I blinked. Of course. I worked here and Nick, a customer, actually wanted a warm drink on an insanely cold January day. I wiped my already dry hands against my apron and started for the counter.
“Megan.” Nick moved toward me. His eyes sparkled the same pine green as they had over Christmas.
For some reason that surprised me, how the green shimmered as vibrantly here as it did in Crystal Cove. In my weird mind, Nick existed in a small town snow globe apart from my daily reality. Yet, here he stood in front of me now. In my reality.
“You don’t have to make me a drink. I came here to see you.”
I shoved my hands into the apron’s front pocket. “You did?”
He laughed almost in a whisper. “Or you could say I happened to be in the neighborhood. Trudging through a blizzard on foot with a week’s worth of clothes, coincidentally finding you.”
I nudged the duffel bag with my shoe. “This is all you brought?”
“For now. I’m sleeping on a buddy’s couch. He’s in Lincoln something. Not Lincoln Park.”
“Lincoln Square?”
He snapped his fingers. “That’s it. The company I’m trying to get in with is on the Golden Coast.”
“You mean the Gold Coast neighborhood?”
He shook his head laughing. “Clearly, I have no idea what I’m doing.” He showed me his phone. “This company is a start-up for green tech initiatives for businesses. I reduced waste and cost at our printing company the last two years with changes to our processes. I looked at the jobs in green consulting and pitched myself to this company. I’m basically an intern with no salary, but they said they don’t take just anyone on. If things go well, it should lead to a paid position. The good thing about living back in Crystal Cove is all the money I’ve saved up that I can live on now. And I sold my truck.”
The back room door opened and Cam walked out. “Megan, do you want your break?”
“Yes,” I answered without looking back at her. Nick still held out the phone, so I took it and scrolled to the company home page. “This looks great, Nick.” I handed back the phone. “You did it. You left Wisconsin.”
“I did. Well, not Wisconsin.” He took in the café, a slow smile settling in. “This is exciting.”
“I can imagine.” I remembered my first days living in Chicago, walking the neighborhood, scavenging thrift stores for end tables and cool knickknacks for my shared apartment. “This must be a big change. I can’t believe you sold your truck. That was a nice truck.”
“My dad’s got a beater car I can use when I go back to visit. No big deal.”
“It sounds like you have everything figured out.” I hoped my sincerity came through. “I mean it. You gave this thought. You can totally manage without a car here. I can show you the website to figure out bus routes. Sometimes the bus is more direct than the El depending where you’re coming from.” Babbling. I was babbling.
“Megan.” Nick’s voice went soft again. “There’s something I haven’t sorted out. It’s why I came here.”
My mouth went dry. I begged hope not to set up camp. Tamped down any thoughts of magical life-changing declarations. He probably needed some local recommendations.
“You showed me I was drifting with no purpose. I didn’t believe in myself enough to take a big step. You took your chance and look how far you’ve come.”
I flipped a hand at the worn, mismatched chairs and tables dotting the uneven hardwood floor. “I’m a barista at a coffee shop.”
“Come on. You took a chance living here. You’re living life the way you want.”
I needed to stop minimizing what I’d worked for. “Actually, I accepted a part-time job with an event planning company.”
His face lit. “Really? That’s fantastic. Congratulations.” He reached toward me, then retracted his hand, still smiling. “You inspired me to do more. I knew this was a now or never moment, and I have you to thank for it.”
I couldn’t help the warm fuzzies floating through me. “Well, thanks. I’m glad you felt inspired.”
He grasped my hands. “You inspire me. Megan, I think I’m falling for you.”
A saucer clattered to the counter, sending a shock through me.
“Sorry!” Cam yelled. “Megan, you’ve been holding out on me. This isn’t a customer at all.”
Nick barely flinched. He looked at me with a deep intensity I hadn’t seen from him until now.
