Page 15 of Love Me Tender, Love Me Brew
By now, there isn’t a sole in the room that doesn’t know he’s present. They begin to clap and chant, cheering him on.
“Can you hang out with us for a while?” Deanna asks, looping her arm through his.
Even though he’s supposed to be resting, seeing so many of his fans, there’s no way he can tell her no. A smile lights up on his face and he grabs an apron from the hook.
Word quickly spreads in a small town and before they know it, the line of patrons extends out the door, wrapping around the corner. An hour turns in two and before he realizes it, three hours has passed. Way longer than he’d originally planned.
“I had a feeling you might be here.” Charlotte sneaks up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist and giving him a big squeeze.
“Why would you think that?” he teases, planting a quick kiss on the side of her cheek. “I’m assuming the line was a dead giveaway, huh?”
“How long are you planning to stick around?” she asks.
“He’s leaving right now,” Deanna says, interrupting their conversation. “Our hometown hero needs his rest for the big day tomorrow.”
Edwin looks around, the room suddenly becoming a blur.Hometown hero?Is that what people are calling him? If anyone should be called a hero, it should be Vivian and Ronald Wesley. They’re the ones who deserve all the credit. He’s just a young man following his dream and figuring out what he wants to do with his life.
Chapter
Thirteen
“Did Edwin seem a little out of sorts earlier?” Vivian asks Charlotte as they’re getting ready to leave.
“Maybe? Do you think they’ll let us see him before the show starts? I’d really like to tell him how proud I am of him.” She shakes her head, thinking back on everything that’s happened these last few weeks. “He was so upset with me when he found out I’d submitted his application and look at him now. Look how far he’s come. The entireCoffee Loftcrew is going to be there cheering him on tonight.”
“I’m glad his father went with him earlier. I’m not sure I’d be able to drive if I were him.”
“Me either.”
“Regardless of the outcome, we’re both so proud of him. If Elvis were here today, I think he’d be proud, too.” Vivian shoves a handful of tissues into her purse before walking to the door.
“I couldn’t agree with you more. Elvis would definitely be proud.”
Ronald Wesley waves his hand in the air as soon as he spots Vivian and Charlotte at the top of the steps. “Down here,” he calls out.
“I can’t believe all the people that are here already,” Vivian sighs as she slips into her seat. “The show doesn’t even get underway for at least another hour.”
Charlotte stops at the end of the row. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to see if they’ll let me backstage to see him..”
“Give our boy a hug,” Ronald says but she’s already on her way.
Slipping past several of the security guards, Charlotte disappears behind one of the doors leading to the back.
In her calmest voice, she stops someone carrying a clipboard and inquires about Edwin’s whereabouts. “Excuse me, I’m looking for Edwin Wesley.”
“So are we. He was supposed to be here two hours ago. They’re having to rehearse without him and it’s been one huge mess.”
“What do you mean, he’s not here? Are you sure? Because I know for a fact he came here with his father.” Charlotte tries not to panic, but something is definitely wrong.
“This could be crucial for the show if he doesn’t make it on time.”
Charlotte takes off running down the hallway, her mind quickly filling with all kinds of thoughts.Where in the world could he be? Please, just let him be okay.
Pushing open one of the exit doors, she doesn’t even care that she left her jacket behind. With her arms folded across her chest, she runs down the street towards the coffee shop, her heels clicking against the sidewalk.
When she reaches the storefront, she stops and bangs on the glass. “Edwin, are you in there?”
The room is dark, except for the faint glow of the light in the hallway leading to the backroom.
