Twenty-Eight | Sam
Twenty-Eight
Sam
I was disappointed when my day with Avery got cut short after I got called in to deal with another espresso-related emergency at work. I knew Piper felt bad for calling me in, but it was six days until Christmas, and people were a little crazed right now and needed their fix.
By the time we got things situated, it was already closing time so I stayed and helped. Avery texted me that Cassidy was on her way over with Kennedy. I couldn’t help the excitement I felt about her coming home—even if Avery still refused to call it that.
I knew she was apprehensive about staying in Sugarplum Falls, but with each day that passed, I could see the town growing on her more and more. While I wanted what was best for Avery and Kennedy, I couldn’t stop selfishly wishing that it meant they stayed and that things continued the way they were. While I had never expected to have them live with me, it just felt right now that we’d gotten into our routine. Thinking of going back to a house without them in it left a burning pain in my chest that I couldn’t stand.
Just as I was locking up, I turned and found Aiden heading my way.
“Hey, did you need coffee?” I asked, wondering if he was trying to get there before we closed.
“Yes, but I’ll stop somewhere else. You don’t have to open for me.”
“It’s not a big deal,” I said, unlocking the door and nodding for him to go inside.
“Is the espresso machine working again?”
“Yeah, for the most part. I ordered a new one that should be here in a few days. I was hoping to have it earlier, but that storm really messed with the roads, so there were delays. Do you want your usual?”
“Yes, please. We’re doing karaoke tonight, and Jackie decided to offer a drink special with .99 Grinch shots, so I gotta be awake and functional since it’s going to be packed and busy all night.”
“Sounds fun,” I said with a laugh.
“Are you coming?”
I started the espresso machine and hated the feeling in my stomach when I thought about missing time with Avery and Kennedy to go hang out with Aiden.
“Not tonight. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. You’re fine.”
“No, really. I am sorry. I’ve been a shitty friend lately and haven’t been by in forever.”
“Well, we thought for a moment we would have to close Sugar Faced Bar down after our top patron stopped coming in,” Aiden teased.
I rolled my eyes and started a small pot of coffee before texting Avery to let her know I would be home a little late.
“You know how busy this time of year gets around here,” I said with my back to him, not wanting him to see the lie sitting on my lips.
“Yeah. It definitely gets busy when you’re balancing work with falling in love with your little sister’s best friend and her daughter,” he countered with a hint of humor.
I let my head fall forward, knowing I was busted. I turned around and looked at my best friend.
“I wasn’t trying to fall in love with her. It kinda just happened.”
“I know. It happens to the best of us. But I’m seriously happy for you. Maybe after things settle down after the holidays, we can all do dinner, and I can get to know them.”
“I would like that, and I’m sure Avery would too.”
I didn’t want to talk about how I didn’t know what the future held or if she would even still be here after the New Year. I finished his drink and then cleaned up the mess while he sneakily tried to pay for it. I grabbed the twenty he left and shoved it back in his hand as we walked out and locked up for the second time.
“I’m still doing Christmas dinner at the bar if you want to join us,” Aiden said. “Avery and Kennedy are more than welcome as well.”
“I’ll talk to her and let you know,” I replied, swallowing the ball of emotion sitting in my throat. “Have fun tonight. Be sure to have Jackie record it if you get wasted and decide to sing Celine Dion again.”
“Not in your lifetime,” he snorted. “I don’t sing anymore, and no amount of liquor will get me to start again.”
I shook my head and laughed as I climbed into my truck and headed home.