Page 259 of We Shouldn't Be Together
Jamie makes her way behind the counter, chatting with the other server, and then leaves for the back office to change into her work uniform. Kai takes me by the hand, leading me to a booth. Reluctantly, Milo sits opposite us.
“Are you really going to sit through the whole meeting?” I ask him. “It’s a long time to wait to tutor someone.”
Milo shrugs. “I can get a burger while I wait.”
Kai purrs in agreement. “I am so getting a burger.”
Soon, Jamie is in her all-black uniform with her half apron, setting up a laptop at the front counter. She grunts and whacks the keyboard, things obviously not going her way.
As if on cue, thunder claps outside.
“Wow, we’re just in time,” a voice says, entering the cafe.
I look over my shoulder, and it’s Christie Klein and her mother.
Christie waves at Jamie, moving further into the cafe. “Hi, Jamie. Isn’t this rain a total bummer? This is my mom, by the way; Mary Klein.”
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Klein,” Jamie replies.
“You too, dear. Honestly, I think you’ve already booked this job, based on word of mouth. Christie has raved non-stop about your milkshakes.”
I don’t overhear the rest of the conversation because more women from the planning committee file into the cafe. There’s a buzz of chatter, and then Mrs. Fisher enters. She’s head of the committee and heads straight for Jamie.
Mrs. Klein makes introductions, and then they all file around the laptop, presumably chatting with Jamie’s aunt.
I exhale a shallow breath, watching the interactions.
Kai, noticing my tension, rubs a circle on my back. “You good?”
I bite into my bottom lip and nod. “Yeah. I just got hit with some nervousness, thinking about talking to Christie Klein.”
“Well, she is dating a billionaire,” Kai kids. “She’s kinda a big deal.”
I swallow hard and whisper under my breath, “But Jamie can talk to her.”
Before Kai goes into a pep talk, Mrs. Fisher announces the beginning of the meeting, and I watch the other ladies making their way to our table.
Kai wishes me luck in not getting bored, and I leave the booth.
45
Mombeckonsmeover,and when I sit beside her, I watch Christie Klein take the seat opposite.
As I ready myself to talk to her, Penelope Garcia and her mom take the seats on my other side. I look between her and Christie. Hmm. Christie might be the new it girl, but what does that really mean? I’ve spent too much time sucking up to girls, who’ve made my life hellish. I’ve said horribly mean things to innocent people, just for a shred of limited satisfaction.
Now, I want to befriend someone, just because her boyfriend has celebrity icon status at our school. Gosh, Tabby, snap out of it. Right next to you is a girl you could genuinely have a connection with. Someone who is nice, just for the sake of being nice. Who goes to your dance class, so you know you have a common hobby. Who will transfer to your school, so there’s hope of growing the friendship even further.
I turn to Penelope and smile. “Hello, again. It’s nice to see you.”
Penelope relaxes in her seat. “You too. I’m so glad to see a face I recognize. Coming here was so nerve-racking.”
“I can only imagine. I know these people, and they still make me anxious.”
“Oh, wow. So, there’s little hope for me then.”
I let out a faint laugh. “It’s not that dire. Honestly, the mothers will do most of the talking. I bet you’ll glaze over as much as I did during the last society meeting.”
“How long ago was that?”
