Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“Stop comparing.” I used the same stern voice that ensured Worth complied with my orders, but George didn’t look nearly as convinced. “The Green Label place is brand new. Of course people want to check them out.”
“The grand opening balloons are obnoxious as hell. Heck.” Mouth twisting, George continued to glare out the window.
“Wait. Balloons. That’s a great idea.” Emerging from the back area, Marta headed for the closet near the restrooms, where we kept art supplies for youth projects. Monroe’s guy, Knox, made sure we were always well-stocked. Digging around in the closet, Marta emerged with poster board, paint, and a bag of balloons.
“We’re not having a grand opening.” George’s tone came out condescending, but Marta huffed before I could call him on it, a rare show of assertion from her.
“You think that’s the only occasion for a sign? You wait. I’ve got a great idea.” Marta had been far more confident all day. Whatever Worth had said to her yesterday had definitely made a difference.
“Coming soon!” Marta spoke aloud as she carefully lettered a large sign. “New pet-friendly patio! Try our brand-new pup cup treats and bring a friend.”
“Brilliant.” I smiled at her as she finished. “Hang it up in the front window and add a few balloons.”
“Guess I better get started on my dog biscuit recipe.” George stalked to the back room. Huh. The sulking attitude wasn’t like him.
“Why is George in such a funk today?” I asked Marta.
“Hmm.” Marta pursed her pale-pink glossy lips. “Maybe because he asked me to a concert, and I said no.”
“Oh.” Lord, save me from teen dating drama. This wasn’t the first time we’d had intra-barista crushes go sideways, and it wouldn’t be the last. “You don’t like him that way?”
I could see how George might be an acquired taste, given the nonstop talking and wisecracks.
“I don’t not like him. But I told him to ask Kyla. They’d be better together.”
“Well, they are both extroverts,” I allowed, but Marta gave me a glare so fierce it was a wonder no bushes erupted in flames out on the patio. Wrong answer. Swallowing, I tried to think more like Worth or maybe Monroe with their nuanced approach to things. I tended to simplify, which was helpful in some cases but not so much in matters of the heart. “It sounds like it’s you he wants to spend time with, not Kyla. Maybe you should give it a chance. A concert might be fun.”
“It might.” Marta rolled her slim shoulders, long hair sweeping from side to side. “But Kyla’s easy.”
“Huh?” I choked on my spit.
Marta helpfully clapped me on the back. “Not like that. She has less baggage. With me, you get the anxious-awkward-trans trifecta with a side of depression.”
“So?” Unlike with George, I didn’t have to fake my skepticism. Marta was gorgeous, sweet, and kind, and it was no wonder George had a crush. “None of that matters.”
“You’re sweet, but it does. Can’t ignore reality.” She sounded so much like Worth there that I made a frustrated noise.
“I’m not saying you don’t have real issues, but George does too. We all do. What matters is if you enjoy hanging out together.”
“What if I like it?” she whispered so softly I could barely hear.
“Then you do it more.”
“But if I got used to him being around…” She shook her head, the weight of far more than nineteen years on her slim shoulders. “What then?”
I closed my eyes for a long breath. I knew her fear on a primal level. I was already used to Worth being around. It was going to hurt like heck if things went south like Worth kept predicting. I was determined to make it work, but I couldn’t do it all on my own. Darn my lack of reality-bending skills.
“You can’t borrow trouble.” I relied on one of my father’s favorite sayings, knowing full well I sucked at taking its advice. “None of us know the future. Enjoy the present. Go to the concert.”
“Is that what you’re doing with Worth? Enjoying the moment regardless of if it ends badly?” Marta was way too perceptive.
“Something like that.” My back tightened. I wasn’t going to let it end badly. And as for enjoying the moment, nagging concerns kept clouding my ability to stay in the present. “I better go check on how Cal is coming on the patio.”
I was far better at giving advice than taking it. It was easy to tell Marta not to worry when I’d been worried all morning about Worth and where things were headed. Last night had been so perfect, and I simply needed Worth to agree.
Simple. I shook my head at my own ridiculousness as I entered the soon-to-be patio area.
“Wow. This already looks so much better,” I enthused to Cal. In just one morning of work, the patio had been cleared of stray gravel and weeds. It already looked far more inviting, even without the addition of places to sit.