25. Twelve
Twelve
Brooks
Half past eight in the morning at Bean & Leaf smelled exquisite. The aroma of brewed coffee fully permeated the air. Fresh pastries lined the glass display. And Taryn’s toffee and cream scent complemented it perfectly, strong enough that even my beta nose had no trouble picking it out.
If only coffee fumes were enough to keep the exhaustion at bay.
I’d finished a twenty-four-hour shift in the ER at eight, practically dead on my feet.
I normally worked twelves and wasn’t used to the demand of a double-shift, particularly a busy one like yesterday had been.
In the full day I was at work, I didn’t think a single minute went by that there wasn’t a crisis in action—a sudden alarm signaling patient distress, a critical patient rushed in who needed full and immediate attention, a missing resident (who’d eventually been found sleeping in a distant supply closet and promptly fired) that meant even more patients on my rotation.
When I’d finally managed to extricate myself and leave the hospital, though, I drove to Taryn’s cafe.
The others of us had been taking it in turns to pop by and check on her during the days.
Taryn insisted it was overkill, that she was fine, but every time I’d been by over the week since she’d started working regularly again, her scent had bloomed and her cheeks heated when I walked in.
Hell, watching her in her element, moving about the shop with confidence and smiles, I didn’t even miss my bed.
Well. Not overly, anyway.
I hid a yawn behind my hand. I’d hang out for a little longer.
The morning rush had still been going strong when I arrived and I couldn’t say more than a few quick words as I bought a chocolate croissant.
When the place slowed down a bit, I’d go chat with Taryn, make sure she really was doing well before going home to crash.
By nine, the lull finally hit. A few other tables were occupied, one or two people at each, some on laptops, some sipping drinks and chatting.
The line to the counter, though, had disappeared.
As Taryn finished up a sweet tea and set it on the counter, calling out for Glenda, I stood and made my way toward the omega.
“I am still feeling snacky,” I said as I leaned onto my forearms over the counter, letting some of my curls fall over my forehead in the way I knew made people weak in the knees. “Is there something delicious on the menu?”
She snorted, rolling her eyes and mirroring my stance. “Yeah. We got key lime pie, made fresh this morning. Just for you.”
“Oh, no,” I said, furrowing my brow. “I smell that toffee in the air. Please tell me there’s some sweet little confection I can feast on coming out soon?”
Pink colored her cheeks, and she buried her face in her arms for a moment before looking back at me. “Sorry, that’s a very limited edition item. Can’t just sell them to any ol’ stranger.”
I leaned further forward, closer than a customer would normally get to the barista. “What’s your asking price? I bet I can meet it.”
She bit down on her smile. “Fifteen million dollars.”
“Huh.” I stood up, leaning on my palms rather than elbows. “I’ll need to move some things around…maybe sell the hospital…can you take partial payment in cuddles and kisses, by chance?”
“Only with an extra form of identification,” she replied. “And a notarized promissory note.”
“Oh I promise, baby,” I said, “I’m good. For it.”
She laughed again, but her eyes darted over my shoulder. Her eyes grew taut, her posture rigid.
“Hey,” I said, voice low as I reached across the counter to touch her hand. “What’s wrong?”
She shook her head, lowering her gaze. “Nothing.”
“Not nothing,” I said, all jokes and flirtations gone. “What just happened?”
My heart sank as her scent grew sharp and bitter, as her eyes took on a watery sheen. I looked behind me to see if there was an obvious answer. Just the same few patrons, the same quiet street outside. I turned back to Taryn, who was pasty and rigid.
I grasped her upper arm, guiding her to the end of the counter and around the corner, out of view of the main room. I cradled her jaw with my other hand. “Talk to me, sweetness.”
A single tear leaked from the outer corner of her eye, lip trembling. She swiped at it, a sharp exhale showing her frustration. “God, it’s so stupid.”
“I guarantee you it’s not,” I answered.
Her lips trembled again, and I wanted more than anything to know what had caused it. I’d shatter it to pieces.
“I just…” She took a shaky breath. “I feel eyes on me everywhere I go. A guy passed by the window, and I remember seeing him earlier today too. And there’s nothing suspicious about that, but my brain is convinced he’s—fuck.
” She squeezed her eyes shut, her breathing harder.
“I know it’s just, like, posttraumatic stress or paranoia or whatever.
But the rational part of my brain is so quiet compared to the terrified part.
“Anytime anyone looks at me a second too long, or I notice the same person coming in a few days in a row, or passing by the window, my mind goes absolutely tornado apeshit. Are they working with the guy who attacked me? Or Heath? Or what if just my scent ends up on someone random and they happen to walk by the guy and it reminds him that I’m still here and he comes back? And what—”
“Breathe, baby,” I said, soothing the hair at her temples with my thumbs. “Take a deep breath for me. Come on, in”—I demonstrated, waiting for her to follow suit—“and out.” We each blow a stream of air from between pursed lips.
She shook her head. “This is so fucking stupid.”
“No, it’s not.”
“People are allowed to visit the same coffee shop without being criminals, Brooks. God, even my regulars from before all this happened, they pick up their drinks and my stomach turns over because what if their coming here was just a trick to watch me? Which is ridiculous. But I can’t get the thought out of my mind. ”
Gently, I pulled her face closer to mine so I could drop a soft kiss on her forehead before resting mine against it. “Fear is a natural reaction, sweetness,” I whispered.
“But it shouldn’t control my life. I shouldn’t let it.”
“Your emotions don’t understand should .
And who said it’s controlling your life?
” My lips twitched with a smile. “You’re here.
You’re doing life, even when scared. I’d say you’re kicking fear’s ass right now, love.
” I kissed her forehead again, backing up and drying her tears with a few swipes of my fingers. “I’m in awe of you, Taryn.”
Fresh tears rose in her eyes, but her smile told me they weren’t the same as the ones that had come before. “Well, you’re easily impressed then.”
“Nuh-uh,” I said. “I haven’t been this impressed since Lin managed to hit every green light from Farendale to Fort Matamir. So you’re in incredible company.”
A weak laugh tripped from her throat, and my heart absolutely sang. With a sharp sigh, she collapsed forward into my chest, her arms circling me. I circled her right back, running my hands over her back and through her hair.
“Brooks, would…I mean, do you mind…”
“I’m here all day, sweetness,” I whispered against her hair before planting a kiss there.
“You don’t have to—”
“I want to.”
She backed away, and her face finally broke into a relieved smile. “Then you get whatever you want today, on me.”
That, I wouldn’t say no to. With a last kiss on her cheek, then her lips, I grabbed her hand and slowly pulled her back toward the main room, no one the wiser. “In that case, I’ll take a triple espresso and coffee bean cookie, if you please.”
Brooks has added you to a group chat.
Brooks
Feels like this should’ve happened weeks ago, but better late than never.
Lin
Whoops, dropped the ball on that one. That’s my b, guys.
Brea
You’re not B.
Taryn
But Brooks is B!
JINX!
Brooks
Caine is having an aneurysm right now
Brooks
Caine rn: ????
Taryn has changed the group name to Arcenox.
Caine
No.
Taryn
Come onnnn it’s cute!
Caine
Read it slowly.
Brooks
I’M FILING A TRADEMARK I LOVE IT
Taryn
***
Brea
???♀?
Lin
????
Taryn
Someone clue me in??
Caine
fks sake
Arse n’ ox.
Ass and knots.
Taryn
I mean, who among us hasn’t…
Brea
TEACUP.
Brooks
Yes, Teacup, do tell.
Caine has left the group chat.
Lin has added Caine to the group chat.
Taryn
Ok, geez, if it’s that big a deal
Taryn has changed the group name to Arce-n-absolutely-no-ox
Brooks has changed the group name to Arcenaddox
Brooks
Now we just need to find an attic…I’d be down for some ass in attics.
@Lin?? Got any good properties that’ll work??
Caine has left the group chat.
Brea
Hey, not that I don’t love you all, but you’re going on mute. ??
Taryn
Loser
Lin
I’m with Brea.
Taryn
DOUBLE LOSER
Brooks has added Caine to the group chat.
Brooks
Do I need to show you how to mute a thread, @Caine?
Brooks
Helloooooo?
Taryn
I’ll take that as a no.
Brooks has changed the group name to Winners Only, Losers Need Not Apply
Taryn
Well that’s pithy
Brooks has changed the group name to WOLNNA
Taryn
Much better