Page 7 of Building Romance
“Cut it out,” she laughs.
He sets her down. “But seriously, what’s the tea?”
My eyes flick back over to the mystery man. He stands and pulls his hood back up and walks out into the now lessening rain.
“Holy shitballs!” Hutch says loudly.
Jocelyn slaps her hand over his mouth and he bites her finger.
“Ewww! Gross,” she mutters as she pulls her hand away.
“What?” I ask, finishing Jocelyn’s drinks and setting them on the counter.
“You don’t know who that is?” he asks as he looks at me.
I shake my head, frowning as I try to place the man.
“That,” he starts and points toward the door, “is Fletcher McDowell.”
I grip the counter because I feel woozy.
There’s no way. Fletcher has to be a troll. Anyone related to the McDowells must be ugly because that would make sense. They are literally trying to put me out of business with their new shop across the street. Fletcher most certainly cannot be that attractive. Damn it! I just started developing a crush on my mortal enemy.
“And he just left?” Roxy asks. Roxy, my neighbor who owns the bookstore directly across the street, is waiting on her order and we are gossiping about Fletcher McDowell’s visit a few days ago.
“Yep. He’s a total creeper,” I state as I add the milk to the lattes she ordered for her and Jocelyn. Those two have become my best customers and they always send their customers over to me.
“What are we going to do?” she questions while picking at a lavender, lemon, blueberry glazed muffin.
“I think I need everyone’s advice,” I declare as I hand her the drinks. And by everyone, I mean my whole building. Above Roxy’s bookstore are five more floors of apartments, and their inhabitants have become my closest friends.
“We’ll figure something out,” she says.
“Max suggested some books to read,” I state as I wipe my counter.
She gives me a pointed look. “You’re still talking with him. Why don’t you two just go out? It’s been months.”
I shrug. “I don’t think it’d work out, and plus, I’d hate to lose him as a friend. He’s a jackass about certain things, but he’s a good guy and a great listener.”
She shakes her head at me as she takes the drinks and the bag of muffins with her. She turns her head when she’s at the door. “Don’t forget to have a little fun. You’ve made this place your whole life. Make sure to still enjoy the other parts of your life.”
She’s not wrong. I’ve been putting all my energy into this. It’s hard work and I’m trying to figure it all out. My older brother, Winston, and my parents have always babied me. This place was a way to prove to them that I’m capable all on my own. But I haven’t left time for anything other than our apartment building’s weekly happy hours and an occasional ladies’ night at my neighbors’ apartment. So I guess if socializing with women forty years older than me is considered an extracurricular, then I’m living large.
I sigh. Even my oldest neighbors, Margie and Cornelia, date.
“See you later,” Roxy calls out as she opens the door and I watch her cross the street.
“Fuck,” I mutter. I forgot to change my menu by the front door. I like to add new specials every week. I go in the back and print out the latest list of specialty items.
Grabbing the keys to the small glass cabinet that the menus hang in by the door, I go and unlock it. I notice movement to my right. Out of the corner of my eye, I see it’s none other than Fletcher McDowell in the flesh. He’s wearing a suit today and is definitely not here incognito.
“Spying again?” I ask as I change the menu by the door. I don’t bother looking up at him.
I can tell he has stopped walking based on the silence. I finish hanging the menu and glance over and our gazes lock. I glare at him.
Then for reasons that escape me, I decide to ignore him and walk inside and around my counter. He follows me. I start placing baked goods on the counter.
“You want to take these and try to recreate them?” He doesn’t move. “No? Oh, maybe you want my latte recipes?” I walk over to the wall and point to the ingredients under each item.
