11. Chapter 11 #2
“No need. I’m not that poor, Jack. Yet. I actually have a little savings I can dip into.
” When he raised an eyebrow, I sighed. Why was everyone so surprised that I was capable of saving money?
As though whatever stereotyped categories they’d placed me in excluded the possibility that I could be halfway decent at managing money.
Instead of being defensive though, I said smoothly, “I’ve spent years splitting rent and expenses with two roommates.
” I didn’t mention that I’d learned to save at a young age.
Because of Jacqueline. Not that my mother had taught me to save—of course not, my mother had no notion of what saving meant.
I didn’t want to be anything like her, and I’d realized early that independence meant having your own money, not relying on others to support you.
He nodded. “That makes sense. Renting, in the right situation, can be a good way to save money,” he said, a bit cryptically.
Was that why he still lived in that apartment building just down the hall from Viviana, even though he surely earned much more money than she did and could afford something far better—was it because he was saving for something, a house perhaps?
I rose from my seat. “I’m going to go place my order. Be right back.”
As I ordered a bacon cheese croissant and fruit, the woman behind the register looked me up and down with a somewhat resentful, calculating gaze. I pressed my lips together. It was that She needs some meat on her bones look that I often got from older women. As if she hadn’t tried over the years.
Or maybe … it was something else. When the woman looked over to Jack and then back to me, I began to suspect it had something to do with Jack. After all, he was a regular here, he’d said.
“You can have a seat. We’ll bring it out when it’s ready,” the woman said flatly, placing a coffee on the counter and then turning away.
When I slid back into the seat at our table, I asked Jack, “Do you know the cashier?”
“Melanie? Oh yeah, Vivi and I come here all the time, so we’re all on a first-name basis. Mel’s fantastic.”
“Huh,” I mumbled. Then what on earth was that? Did this Melanie somehow disapprove of me as a friend for Jack? How ridiculous did that even sound? I shook my head to clear my thoughts. “So, Jack, how are you doing?”
“I’m fine. How about you?” he said, studying me. “I’m sorry if last night wasn’t great.”
“It … wasn’t. I shouldn’t have come,” I admitted. “I mean, Viv and I have had a serious fracture in our friendship, and showing up randomly to put her on the spot while playing board games? I should’ve known that was a dumb move.”
“Well, you can blame me for suggesting it. I’m sorry, Annie,” Jack said, frowning.
“You were just trying to help.” I sipped my coffee and gazed at him thoughtfully. “Viviana did seem troubled by something else though. Maybe it wasn’t just me.” When he didn’t reply, I asked, “Did you notice that?”
“I … did,” Jack answered. He looked past me then and gave a polite nod to the server on the way to their table.
As the server arranged the food in front of me, I took the opportunity to watch Jack.
He appeared uncomfortable, which struck me as peculiar—he was always so at ease.
Still, I could postpone any further questioning fo r the moment.
“So, I have news,” I said, my tone rising with excitement as I picked up the buttery croissant sandwich in front of me. “I’m officially doing an internship for Bookshop. I’ve got my foot in the door!”
Jack’s face lit up, all traces of his previous mood vanishing. “That’s wonderful, Annie! What is the position?”
“We’re calling the position the literary events coordinator. So I’ll plan book clubs, book signings, and other special events to be hosted at the store. It sounds like a dream, doesn’t it?”
Jack laughed heartily. “For the right person, yes. And I do believe that person will be you. When do you start?”
“I already did, the day after I walked into the store insisting they give me a job.” I laughed. “My boss is pretty demanding and wanted me to start immediately.”
“Sounds like a great match then.”
“Yes, but it was an uphill climb. It was really hard to convince him to give me a chance. Turns out he was a guy I’d been briefly involved with years ago, but I hadn’t recognized him … It was a mess.” I shook my head but then smiled. “I convinced him I’m worth a shot.”
Jack smiled admiringly. “I’m not at all surprised. Congratulations, Annie. Can I come to the book club? It’s been years since I was part of one, but I’d love to join.” Then a frown marred his face. “Under normal circumstances, Vivi would come too, but … well, you know. Maybe someday.”
“Yeah,” I said wistfully. “But I’m not here to mope. I’d love to pick your brain for ideas about events. Maybe you could be our inaugural guest author!”
Jack scratched his head, making a face. “I sure could, if it would help you out, but surely people would be more interested in an author with a recent release. I haven’t published any books in a couple years. And maybe an author with a bit more mass appeal.”
“So modest, Jack.” I grinned. “We’ll see.
So for the book club, I’m thinking of organizing around themes that change on a quarterly basis.
For example, historical fiction for a quarter, or even more specific, Victorian literature.
Or if that’s too academic, then modern mystery or romance, YA, books with social justice themes, that sort of thing.
And then each quarter, we’d select a handful of books within that theme to discuss.
I’m still organizing the ideas before writing them up for Hakeem—he’s the manager.
Do you have any thoughts? I’m particularly wondering if—”
I closed my mouth when Jack’s eyes widened as he seemed to spot something beyond me.
Viviana was standing near the front counter, smiling in our direction until I met her gaze. Her face immediately fell, and she gasped audibly.
Then, with no subtlety whatsoever, she simply spun around and turned her back on us. A woman behind the counter—not Melanie from before—came over to give her a coffee. I stared for a moment and then turned back to Jack, whose face was a mix of emotions.
“What—”
“That’s—”
We both sighed and eyed one another with sympathy.
“Jack, I don’t know if I should stay—”
His throat cleared loudly, and he looked pointedly over my head.
Even as I turned, I knew what I’d find. Viviana was standing a few feet from our table.
I studied her closely. She looked tired, physically and emotionally.
Her usually cute, wavy brown hair looked limp, her eyes tired, and her posture slumped.
“Vivi, I never thought I’d see you here so early!” Jack said, still looking shocked but not unhappy to see her.
Viviana was clearly trying very hard to be polite and maintain composure, but I could tell something was bothering her. Tension was radiating from her in waves. “Well, that makes two of us. Or three, I guess.” Her eyes darted to me for a split second before turning back to Jack.
I should speak up. Why not try to mend things? Maybe this wasn’t the best scenario, but there might never be a perfect time. “Hi, Viv. Would you like to join us?” I asked in a quiet, friendly tone.
Jack added, “Yes, Vivi, pull up a chair. ”
Her eyes met mine but then drifted down, if I wasn’t mistaken, to my dress, and she was quick to decline. “Oh, no, I can’t. I have a lot to do today.”
Jack was still smiling, but the light in his eyes seemed to dim a bit. “You do? I thought you were free for another week until you started that new job.”
“Oh, you got a new job? Congratulations!” I offered a generous smile.
“Yes, is that so hard to believe?” Viviana snapped at me. Or us. I wasn’t sure. “I do have a new job starting soon, and I do have things to do today.”
I reared back, and Jack looked stunned as well.
So much venom in her tone .
Is this still about Brandon, or something else?
Jack inhaled slowly. “I’m sure we didn’t mean to imply—”
“It’s fine,” Viviana interrupted. She closed her eyes and massaged her temples. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap. It’s just, I do have a busy day ahead, so I don’t really have time to chat. And I wouldn’t want to interrupt your … well, whatever this is.”
I eyed Jack, who looked troubled, maybe even hurt.
And well he should . Viv is his best friend. What the heck?
She still refused to look at me. Still, I needed to try again. “Viv, I—”
“You two have a lovely breakfast,” Viviana said, her smile a little too bright, before spinning on her heel and making a beeline for the exit.
My jaw dropped as I watched her nearly collide with an older man in her haste to reach the exit door.
When she was out the door, I swiveled back to face Jack, who looked stricken.
That was my best guess, anyway. It wasn’t an expression I’d ever seen on him before.
“Jack, are you all right? I’m—I’m so sorry. I think this is all my fault.”
He shifted his gaze from the cafe window slowly to my concerned face. “What? No. How could it be? You were friendly, just as you were last night. ”
“She seemed really upset, much more so than last night,” I said quietly, eyes focused on my lap. “Do you think …”
“Do I think what?”
I opened my mouth and then closed it. “You don’t think she got the wrong idea, do you?” I gestured between the two of us with a grimace.
His eyebrows rose. “I hadn’t thought of that. Vivi can be prone to leaping to conclusions a bit too quickly. But that seems far-fetched even for her.” He frowned and shook his head. “Sorry, I shouldn’t speak of her so. That’s unfair.”
He was unnerved in a way I hadn’t seen before. “I agree it’s unlikely. Even if she did jump to that conclusion, it’s not like she’d be jealous.” I laughed for effect, watching his reaction closely.
He shook his head slowly. “No, of course she wouldn’t.
” His eyes were downcast, and I began to seriously wonder if he had feelings for his best friend.
But then he sighed, replacing his expression with a more neutral one as he leaned back in his chair.
“Odds are she’s just a little annoyed that I’m hanging out with the enemy—not that you’re the enemy, but—”
“I know what you mean,” I acknowledged. “Yeah, that’s probably it.
Like you failed a loyalty test.” I tried not to laugh at the absurdity of it.
I loved Viviana, but she could occasionally be petty.
She probably had every right in this case though.
“In any case, I hope my presence hasn’t caused problems between you two.
I’ve messed up enough already when it comes to her. ”
Jack’s face was full of sympathy as he shook his head. “Say no more about it. I’ve made mistakes too. I for one have enjoyed catching up with you. It’s great to hear about your internship. Did you mention last night that you’re teaching dance too?”
I grinned. “Yeah, Rafael roped me into it, likely temporary. At least it’s a paycheck for a little while.
The internship is unpaid. Between the two gigs, I’m actually staying pretty busy, which is …
well, let’s just say I needed that. Too much time stuck in my room, alone with my depressing thoughts, was not working out well for me. ”
He nodded. “I can’t imagine that being alone with depressing thoughts is great for anyone, but especially not for you.” He sipped his drink and smiled. “I’m glad you’ve found some things to not only occupy your time but also make you excited about life. That’s important, you know?”
I smiled before taking the last bite of my sandwich.
I could see why Viviana had treasured his friendship all these years.
Though I suspected something was brewing there beyond friendship, I’d keep my theories to myself for now.
I didn’t know Jack as well as Viviana did, but surely if he wanted to confide in me as a friend, he would.
“So, Jack—”
I paused as my heart nearly stopped.
My breaths became shallow as I gazed out the front window.
Is that … no, it can’t be.
It’s a huge city. Twin Cities. What are the odds?
I stared at the tall, broad figure standing on the sidewalk outside the cafe, looking at his phone.
Squinting, I tried but failed to see the man’s face from this distance and side angle.
Is it him? If—what if he comes in—I can’t—
“Annie, are you all right?”
I jolted, snapping my gaze back to Jack. “Oh. Uh …”
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” His brow wrinkled as he peered at me closely.
I forced myself to take a few slower breaths and snuck a glance back at the window, but the man was gone. My eyes frantically scanned the cafe, but he didn’t appear to have entered. He was just gone.
Good.
Right?
I took a steadying breath. “Yes, I think … something like that. OK, now that that’s behind us.” I shook my head slightly and nearly laughed. This was ridiculous. I was chasing a ghost. That was all Kylan was .
But my friend Jack was real, and he was right here. I’d be an idiot to not take advantage of breakfasting with a successful writer and get his feedback on my book club publicity ideas. “Let’s talk about books, baby.”
He laughed. “All right, Annie, just no more Salt-N-Pepa for the rest of the meal, OK?”