33. Piper
PIPER
Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch
Tammy Jane: I’m not the only one who’s noticing Theo and Piper spending a lot of time together, right?
Comments:
Piper M: That would be because we’re dating.
Jackie Anne: Um, honey, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but he doesn’t date.
Tammy Jane: No, I could believe it. I saw things at the diner.
Jackie Anne: What? Like her staring? Who doesn’t stare at Theo???
Tammy Jane: The difference is he stared back.
Jackie Anne: Now I think you’re losing your mind in your old age.
Tammy Jane: HEY!
Tammy Jane: Also, where’s Kerry? Usually, she would be eating this up!
The morning we planned to go to Nashville, I was filled with restless energy. I’d worked hard to schedule my meetings with Mitch around the two days I’d be gone so I could be entirely free of work to enjoy my time in a new city.
This wouldn’t be big for anyone else, but for me, it felt like I was finally getting out of my bubble.
Scarlett had encouraged it, even telling me she had friends in Nashville that talked highly of it. Hearing both Theo and Scarlett sound so positive made me feel like this was possible.
And I was ready to get started.
Theo pulled up in front of my apartment at eight on the dot.
Kelsey said she would be fine manning the shop by herself, but Theo found a part-time worker who could be trained quickly and was available on the weekends and any time they needed a day off.
It would make the workload easier on them both.
He was as nervous as I was, though for different reasons. He loved The Reserved Bean so much and he wanted it to do well. Leaving it in other people’s hands had to be hard.
“Hi,” I said as I climbed into the passenger seat.
Theo was looking at the coffee shop and stopped to give me a kiss. His eyes went right back.
“Kelsey banned me today.”
“As she should.”
“I’m still nervous. It’s Paxton’s first day with just her.”
I nodded along, even though I’d totally forgotten the new barista’s name. “But you trained him well. I bet he’ll do great.”
“I’m hoping so.” His fingers wouldn’t stop drumming on the steering wheel. “We should just go.”
I hummed as I thought about it. “You know, I’d love some coffee first. And I bet you would too. I could go in, see how things are going, and then report back.”
“You would do that?”
“Call me your little spy. Be right back.”
When I walked into the shop, I was used to a warm welcome. This time, Kelsey stared me down.
“Where’s your man?”
“In the car.”
“Did he send you?”
“I sent myself.”
“To do what?” she asked slowly.
“Get coffee, of course. And do a bit of spying.”
“I knew it.” She shook her head. “I told him I’ve got this. Pax knows all the drinks and I’m good with people.”
“I believe you. I’m mostly doing this to soothe him. And because I need caffeine.”
“Fine,” Kelsey muttered. “Two black coffees?”
“Yep.”
She turned around to get the cups and I waved at Paxton, who was partially hiding in the back. He was shy, but went on a rant about coffee during his interview with Theo. He was so knowledgeable that Theo instantly knew he was the one.
Paxton gave me a short wave before going back to delicately cleaning the espresso machine. He went at it with such attention that I knew they’d be fine.
“Here you go.” Kelsey set down the two cups. “You can even try it to make sure I brewed his precious coffee right.”
I laughed and took a sip. “You brewed it perfectly.”
“Good. Now get lost. And give me a good report.”
“Did you forget the part where I pay?” I waved my card in front of her face. “I’ll definitely report that back.”
“Do you think I’m charging the owner of this shop and his girlfriend for coffee? He still undercharges you.”
I blinked. “Hang on, we need to back up. He undercharges me?”
She smirked. “He has since he first saw you.”
My cheeks heated and she was about to laugh. “That’s a terrible business practice.”
“It always is when it comes to you.”
I shook my head and dug through my purse. “Here.”
“I don’t need forty dollars.”
“You’ll take it and like it.”
“You can’t talk to me like you do with Theo.” She whispered it just low enough so Paxton wouldn’t hear. “I’m not taking your guilt money. The price stays.”
“If it’s not for my coffee, then it’s a tip. I’m investing in your success. Buy more ice cream with it.”
“Take this back!” she yelled.
But I was already scurrying out the door with the coffees.
“Here you go.” I handed Theo his. “Everything is running smoothly, except for one thing.”
“Oh no, is Paxton being too quiet?”
“Kelsey is loud enough for them both. No, it’s you.” I pointed at him. “Are you undercharging me for coffee?”
He blinked. “Did Kelsey charge you the full amount? Dammit, I told her to—”
“Theo! I shouldn’t get any special treatment. You’ve done that from the start.”
“Well, I wanted to make sure you came back.” He said it lowly. “It worked, didn’t it?”
I let out a long sigh. “Yes, but it stops now.”
“Not a chance, love. You’re lucky it’s not free.”
Theo laughed at my offended noise and drove away from the curb.
I tried to pout as long as I could, but I broke the second we passed by two baby cows.
Theo’s grin only grew.
When the roads got bigger and busier, I was reminded of Knoxville.
I was used to traffic and noise. I grew up with it, and only avoided it once my fear of touch got unbearable. This was a step up from what I knew, and I was torn between watching every sight and hiding from them.
This was huge for me, and the tenseness was trying to take over. All I could do was breathe through it.
“You okay?” Theo asked.
“I’m adjusting.” My voice was smaller than usual.
“My hand’s open, if you need it.”
Normally, the idea of holding hands while I was like this felt miserable, but Theo was a connection to Strawberry Springs that I needed. When I tangled my fingers through his, I felt grounded.
“Thank you,” I said. “I’m glad I have a guide. Do you come to Nashville a lot?”
“Sometimes,” he replied stiffly. “Not often.”
Theo’s voice didn’t go quiet like mine when he was stressed. It was mechanical, like every word pained him.
That’s how he sounded now.
“Are you still worried about the coffee shop?”
“No.” He shook his head. “I’m not worried about anything.”
“Yeah, right. What’s going on?”
“Nothing. Just thinking of someone who lives here.”
“Someone from your past?”
Theo’s lips tightened and he nodded. My heart sank. Knowing wouldn’t help my worries, but I was glad he told me.
“Who is it?”
“Do you remember that kid I told you about?”
I blinked, but then nodded. “Yeah. Is it him?”
“Yeah.”
Relief hit me like a truck. “Well, it’s not the worst thing in the world. He was someone you helped.”
“Right. He’s . . . We talk sometimes. He’s invited me to a few things, but only out of politeness. I’ve almost gone, but never followed through. I even got to his door once. At least I wound up meeting Riley that day.”
“You do know you have a terrible habit of underestimating how well-liked you are, right?”
“I know, but he knew me during it all.”
“You helped him, though.”
“And he’s talking to me because of that. Trust me, our conversations are always dropped off by him.”
I could see where Theo got the idea from, but I still shook my head. “He just needs to see who you are.”
“Maybe. Or maybe it’ll be even worse in person.” He sighed, and I could see how much he’d thought about it. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter. I have to make it through this damn meeting first.”
“How far away are we?” I asked.
“About ten minutes.”
I nodded and looked out the window, still thinking of the boy he told me about. I was tempted to find him to ask about what he thought of Theo myself.
But Theo didn’t need that. He needed someone to be here with him.
And that I could do easily.