Page 21 of 518 Hope Ave
"You look like you need a good meal," she says as she massages a tender spot on my shoulder. "Let's go to the Coffee Co. I think they've got a special menu on today."
“I’m not sure I feel like going out in public, Sarah,” I say, and she releases my shoulder, her concerned eyes peering into my face.
“Youneedto get out. Something delicious to distract your mind from the he who doesn't get a name anymore.” She tries her best to make things as lighthearted and happy as possible.
“OK,” I sigh, collecting my bag and following her out to her car. While she's finding a parking spot near the town square, my thoughts get the better of me.
"Sarah," I start softly. "Do you think I'm a bit...much?"
She glances at me then releases a heavy sigh. “Never,” she says, turning to me with a sympathetic smile when she cuts the engine. “You are exactly the right amount of everything. Don't you dare let anyone make you think otherwise. And if they do you send them my way.” She waves a fist in the air, and it makes me laugh. She's so tiny that I doubt she could punch hard enough to hurt a fly. But the sentiment is there and I appreciate it all the same.
“I just don’t know what to do here. I kind of feel like I fucked it all up just by being me.”
"Well, in that case, Ezra Taylor can go fuckhimself.He’sluckyto have found someone like you, Quinn—any man would be. You're so sweet and kind and caring. I don’t know a single person in Cherry Falls who doesn’t think the world of you. And if Ezra can't handle a little help when heobviouslyneeds it, then that's an issue withhispride and notyourgenerosity." She glances at the clock on the dashboard, then gestures for us to get out of the car. She walks around to me and places a hand on both shoulders. “You are perfect just as you are. Don’t you dare change.”
"Thanks, Sarah," I say as she brings me into a hug and a long sigh escapes me. I needed to hear that, but I still feel shitty about the whole thing. I mean, it's never fun to be snapped at or scolded by someone...especially when you're just beingyourself. Andespeciallywhen it’s someone that you...love. And I think Idolove Ezra, which is why this whole situation hurts so damn much.
"Come on, let’s get you something so delicious for lunch that you end up in a sugar coma after,” Sarah says, pulling us apart. “You can’t think too much when you’re passed out.”
I give off a laugh as we loop arms and walk into Cherry Falls Coffee Co. then take a seat. Sarah goes and orders for us, then looks at me with a massive grin when she sits back down.
“What?” I ask.
She just laughs. “You’ll see.”
A waitress comes by with our coffee order, and I glance at the latte art on top of my cappuccino. Somehow, it’s a chocolate sprinkled likeness of me. I’m smiling and looking off to the side, and I just love it.
“Did you ask for this?” I look up to Sarah who nods.
“You have a smile that can brighten anyone’s day. Why shouldn’t it also brighten yours?”
“Thank you,” I say, getting a little emotional but somehow feeling better just the same.
"Do you want to vent a little about Ezra?" Sarah asks, her voice breaking into our silence. “Or would you like me to bash him a little? I can be really mean if it’ll make you feel better.”
"No. I don’t want that. I…" I look up at her slowly. "I think Ilovehim."
She gasps loudly, earning glances from the other cafe-going patrons, and quickly claps her mouth shut with a hand. "TheL-word! I don't think I've ever heard you use that word before, except for when you discovered B-and-J's chocolate chip cookie dough!”
"Idolove me some Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough."
“In that case, I think we need to come up with a game plan.”
My smile fades as I take a deep breath. "I just don't know what to do about the whole thing, Sarah. I really wanted this to work out between us… No, Iwantto. I reallywantthis to work out. I’m just…I’m not ready to accept that it’s over yet."
Our food arrives and we quietly tuck in. A million and one thoughts race through my brain as I eat my ham and cheese bagel. Sarah clears her throat, bringing my attention back to her. I cock an eyebrow questioningly. "I know you’ve been trying to call. But did you think about just going and confronting him?"
“I did think to do that. But I’m scared he’s going to turn me away. I’m afraid of looking him in the eye and realizing this is really over.”
She reaches across the table and places her hand on top of mine. “But if you don’t do this, it will be.”
I nod, taking her words in. "OK,” I whisper. “I'll go see him.”
She presses her lips into an encouraging smile. "Good girl. But whatever you do, don’t you dare apologize for being yourself. He’s lucky to have you. Remember that," she says, then takes another mouthful of her Caesar salad. She makes an 'oh'noise with her throat, then swallows her food, and I wonder why, if Ezra is so lucky, he doesn’t see it like that…
18
Ezra
