Page 42 of Any Girl But You
ZOEY
I pin back the loose strands of hair and grab my jacket and scarf. After a freakishly warm fall, the weather has altered and from here until April, there’s going to be a constant chance of snow. I lock my door, walk down the alley, and resist peeking into the bakery.
After having a month off from the bakery, something inside me shifted. The urge, the need, the anxiety, to be at the store all of the time lifted. I gave both Luna and Caleb more hours and put an ad out to hire one more full-time staff. In the next year, my goal is to decrease to a solid forty hours a week, down from a gazillion. Life is passing by on a speed train. I don’t want to wake up and blink and see that I have missed out on something amazing.
Like Quinn.
While getting ready to meet Josie tonight, I can’t help thinking about Quinn. Heck, all I do is think about Quinn. I call or text her so much that I’m surprised she hasn’t blocked me by now. But I need to do this dinner tonight. Partly as a test for myself, partly for Josie, and partly for Quinn.
Because I need to be honest with myself, truly honest, and I will only have complete clarity once I meet with Josie.
Orchard’s is within walking distance from my place, so I tug on my jacket and stroll. It’s still early, only 5:00 p.m., but the orange of the horizon is barely a whisper. And still, all I can think about is Quinn. Maybe I’ll call Josie, tell her that I can’t make it, and go over to Quinn’s place. But Josie’s only in town for a short while, she really wants to meet, and I won’t ditch out on her, even if she is my ex.
I’m so distracted I don’t realize the woman walking towards me on the sidewalk is Josie. Her formerly dark shoulder-length hair is now a fresh, blonde shaggy pixie cut. She’s wrapped up in a jacket, ripped skinny jeans, high boots. She looks good. Great, even.Beautiful.
And I feel absolutely nothing.
“Hey…you…” Josie reaches her arms out as she approaches, with a soft, almost sheepish smile.
“Hey, Josie. Sorry, whoa, I didn’t see you there.” I lean into her hug. It’s familiar, yet not at the same time, and again, I feelnothing. Stepping back, I try to gauge what is happening. Maybe a little nostalgia, or a “hope she’s okay,” and a little curiosity. Other than that, my cells, my heart, my gut are all at a standstill.
“You look great,” Josie says as she stuffs her hands in her jacket pockets. “You look, I don’t know. Well rested or something.”
“Thank you. I cut back on hours at the shop and am taking some time for myself.” I turn toward the restaurant, and we stroll in silence for a few moments.
Josie grips the edges of her scarf in her palm and keeps her gaze on the sidewalk. “Thanks for meeting with me tonight.”
“Yeah, of course. It’ll be good to catch up.” This is all so awkward. I don’t know what to say. I’ve never been good at small talk unless it’s a customer interaction. But this isn’t that. This is walking down the sidewalk on a beautiful late fall night with the one that I once knew the best, but I no longer know.
The jangle of a dog collar coming towards us has me lifting my head.Huh. Colby and Kona are walking toward us on the sidewalk. I wasn’t sure if Colby even lived in this town, but if she’s taking a random stroll at night it makes me think she might live near the shop.
Josie’s eyes snap up. “Ah, sweet golden retriever.”
“Hey, Colby.” I wave and smile. At this moment, I feel like I know my reclusive customer Colby better than Josie, and I’m thankful for the break in the silence. “Hi, Kona. Are you being a good girl?”
“Hey, Zoey.” Colby glances at Josie, and back to me.
Am I supposed to introduce them? Say nothing? How would I even label Josie?My exseems crass.Friendseems untruthful.Someone I used to knowseems like I’m giving away way too much information for a casual introduction.
“Oh my gosh, your pup.” Josie’s voice rises and she squats near Kona. “Can I pet her?”
Colby grins and rubs the edge of Kona’s ears. “Yes, of course. Fair warning, she’s a glutton for love. Once you start petting her, she’ll beg for more.”
“How old is she?” Josie holds out the top of her hand for Kona to sniff.
“Six,” Colby says.
“Ah, such a good age. Finally calming down.” Josie pets Kona behind the ears, then moves to scratch her under the chin. “Any hip issues yet?”
“No, knock on wood.” Colby switches the leash to her other hand. “You have a golden?”
Josie shakes her head. “No, but I’m a vet tech, so I see lots of animals. But in my heart, I’ve always had a soft spot for golden retrievers.”
Colby nods with a soft grin. “They’re the most loyal, right?”
Josie laughs and lifts herself back from squatting. “That’s the rumor on the street.”
My head is swirling at this interaction. This is the most I’ve seen Colby smile in all the years she’s been coming into my shop. I always say hi to Kona and give her a dog treat, of course, but I make a quick mental note to chat with Colby more about dogs when she visits. It’s clearly her comfort zone.
