Page 65 of Loving Josy
“Oh, please. I taught her everything she knows.” Henrietta sniffs, but there’s a glimmer of affection in her eyes.
The two continue their playful banter as I grab their usual coffees and pastries, my heart full. This little town, these people—they’re my family.
By the time I finish with Mrs. Henrietta and Mrs. Mirtha, they’ve settled at their usual corner table, already deep into what I’ve come to call “the gossip hour.” Their animated voices carry across the shop, catching the attention of a few nearby patrons who lean in ever so subtly to listen.
It doesn’t take long before I hear the name Megan mentioned. Megan, the mayor’s daughter, is always a hot topic, and apparently, she’s outdone herself this time.
“You heard me right,” Mrs. Mirtha says, her tone dripping with scandal. “Dating a married man! Can you imagine?”
Mrs. Henrietta nods emphatically. “Homewrecker, that’s what she is. Poor Mabel—bless her heart—she’s been throughenough already with that no-good husband of hers, and now Megan sinks her claws into him? Shameless!”
I roll my eyes as I rearrange the pastry case for the third time today. It’s not that I’m surprised; Megan has always been the type of person who goes after what’s unavailable. She thrives on the chase, and if it’s forbidden, all the better.
The memory of her antics with Austin comes flooding back, and I shake my head in disbelief. For years, she flirted shamelessly with him, even after it was clear that he wasn’t interested. When he and Violet started dating, Megan made it her mission to undermine Violet at every turn.
I’ll never forget the day Megan came strutting into the coffee shop, her designer purse swinging, and her lips painted a shade of red that screamed trouble. She ordered her usual latte but lingered far too long at the counter, making thinly veiled jabs at Violet.
“You’re dating Austin now?” she’d asked, her voice oozing fake sweetness. “I don’t know what he sees in you. You’re fat and ugly. But don’t worry, he’ll come back to me eventually.”
Violet patiently smiled, her composure rock solid when she responded, “I’m glad to know that you’re delusional. If he wanted you back, he’d be with you and not with me. So please, have some self-respect and never ever come back again. And don’t talk to me.”
Austin, however, wasn’t as patient. When he heard about it, he marched straight to City Hall and had a private “chat” with Megan. Whatever he said must have hit home because she backed off, for a while, at least.
Now, hearing Mrs. Mirtha and Mrs. Henrietta recount the latest drama, I can’t help but feel sorry for the poor man caught in Megan’s web. If history is any indication, she won’t stop until she’s caused maximum damage.
“Mark my words,” Mrs. Henrietta declares, pulling me from my thoughts, “this will end in tears. And not hers, mind you. That girl has ice water in her veins.”
“Bless her heart,” Mrs. Mirtha says, though her tone suggests anything but sympathy. “She’ll get what’s coming to her one day.”
I suppress a laugh and head back to the register, thankful that Megan and I were never friends. She’s trouble wrapped in designer clothes, and I have enough on my plate without her drama spilling into my life.
Shaking my head, I push the thought aside and refocus on the shop. The lunch rush has slowed, and Violet looks like she could use a break, so I grab a cloth and start wiping down the tables while listening to the steady hum of conversation around me.
“I’m so glad Megan stopped chasing Austin,” Violet says, walking over to me with a disapproving shake of her head.
“I know, right?” I reply, chuckling. “She’s a piece of work. Be thankful her sights are set on someone else now.”
“Thank God for that,” she says, her tone lightening. Then she narrows her eyes at me with a sly smile. “But enough about Megan. Spill the tea. Why were you late this morning, and why have you had this weird grin on your face since you got here?”
I place a hand on my chest, feigning offense. “Weird grin? Excuse me, my smile is not weird, you bitch.”
Violet snorts. “Okay, creepy smile, then.”
“Rude,” I retort, crossing my arms. “And I texted you, didn’t I? I overslept. You know, growing a baby is exhausting. I’m basically running on naps and snacks at this point.” I gesture to my growing baby bump.
Violet nods knowingly, placing a hand on her own belly. “Preach, woman. Been there, doing that. This little one has me wiped out most days. Honestly, I’m just grateful I’m not dealingwith morning sickness like you were a few months ago. Imagine me puking all over the coffee shop counters.”
“Don’t remind me of those dark times,” I say, shuddering at the memory, and we both burst into laughter.
Her expression softens as she studies me. “Seriously though, is everything okay? You seem... different. Like, glowing different.”
“It’s more than okay, Vi.” My lips tug into a smile I can’t suppress. “Last night, Noah came over, and I finally told him how I feel.”
Violet’s eyes widen, and she gasps dramatically. “What? You confessed? What happened? What did he say?”
I take a deep breath, replaying every magical moment in my mind. “I told him the real reason I’ve been mad at him all this time. Then, I confessed that I’ve always loved him.”
She claps her hands together, looking like she might combust from excitement. “And? What did he do? What did he say?”
