Chapter 41
Chapter Forty-One
Nori
“Here you go, Mrs. Chamberlin.”
She peers out from under her floppy-brimmed sun hat, and I pass her a lavender latte. It’s in a to-go cup with my signature happy face. “And here’s a little something extra for you.” I hand over a paper bag with two cinnamon scones. “On the house.”
“Thank you, dear.” Her smile is wide. She remembered her dentures today. “You know you’re still my favorite.”
“Back at you,” I say.
Pearl Chamberlin has visited the shop almost daily for the past twelve years. And even if she does keep coming to Cottage and Coffee, I probably won’t take the job Glen’s son offered me. The truth is, I may never see Mrs. Chamberlin and her sunhat again.
She makes a move to leave, then turns back around. “I almost forgot.” She lifts a wrinkly finger. “Warren told me to tell you he has a girlfriend now.”
My stomach heaves. Even Warren Snuze has found love? Great. Under my breath, I say, “I hope they have a very meaty relationship. ”
“What’s that?” She cups her ear. “Could you repeat that on my good side?”
“I said, ‘I hope I meet someone special soon, too.’”
“Oh, I’m sure you will, dear.” She hobbles away clutching her cup and her bag. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she warbles.
“Tomorrow’s my day off,” I call out. But I don’t think either of her ears heard me.
Tomorrow . My stomach twists.
Violet’s telling the staff about the shop tonight, after closing. I won’t be here, since I have to leave early for my final Swipe Rite date. And as much as I want to support my coworkers, a part of me is grateful I’ll be gone. I don’t need the reminder I’m losing the shop. I’m already devastated enough about losing Cash.
I came so close to pulling off a dream that one month ago seemed impossible. But at the end of the day, there were things about both situations I couldn’t control. Still, that’s a part of life I’ll always have to face. And this time, I’m facing it on my own, so the overwhelming sadness in me makes room for a sliver of pride.
So I force a smile on my face and hold my head up, serving our regulars and chatting with coworkers like my whole world isn’t on the verge of collapse. At five o’clock, Violet emerges from the kitchen looking for me. This is the first time I’ve seen her all day. She’s been holed up in her office with Larry, probably making wedding plans.
Oh, and also, I was avoiding her a little bit.
“Nori?” She taps her watch. “You’d better get going if you want to make it to your date on time.”
“Thanks, Violet.”
This is her final kindness, sending me away before she shares the news. A twinge behind my ribs tells me I should be here for the announcement. These people are my friends, after all. My family. Then again, Violet’s the real boss. Serendipi-Tea never was—and never will be—mine.
She should be the one comforting them.
The truth is, I could use some comforting myself. Luckily, Keeley’s coming with me to my final date. To show my appreciation, I grab one of our breakfast sandwiches for Gramps on my way out.
Back at the apartment, Keeley helps me raid Hayden’s closet for the perfect square dancing outfit. We land on a pair of raspberry boots, a classic Stetson, jeans and a belt with a big western buckle. I tie my white blouse at the waist. A little extra makeup for the cameras, and we’re off to Silver Springs. On the two-mile drive, butterflies fill my stomach. I have a goal for tonight I didn’t tell anyone else.
Not even Keeley.
When we arrive, I don’t have time to be nervous, because a reed-thin woman from Swipe Rite converges on us. Her name is Dove, “Like the bird,” she chirps, as if there were any confusion.
“Lou’s on camera tonight,” she adds. “I know we usually keep a lower profile on these dates, but Rex Hamilton is your last match. Tall, dark, and handsome. Painted-on Wranglers. We’re all pretty sure you’re going to choose him.”
“Why?”
“Maybe you didn’t hear me.” Her lip twitches. “Tall, dark, handsome. Wranglers?”
Keeley coughs. “What are Wranglers?”
Dove—like the bird—ignores her. “The clubhouse is packed with seniors who are dying to dance with you,” she says. “Hmm. Maybe dying’s not the best way to describe old people. But either way. Are you hyped?”
“So hyped!” I gush.
Not even a little bit .
Dove sweeps us through reception and out past the gardens to the clubhouse full of hopefully-still-living residents. I suck in a breath and tell myself this might not be the worst night of my life.
Until it is.
Okay, that’s an exaggeration. It’s possible my inner monologue has put this date at a disadvantage. Still. As bad as I am at axe-throwing, daisy painting, and crushing grapes with my feet, I’m even worse at square dancing. Lucky for me, Rex Hamilton is so skilled at the various routines, I only fall on my butt once. He’s also only mildly funny, so there’s no danger I’ll be laughing so hard I pee my pants.
Small blessings.
In the middle of the Virginia Reel, I catch Keeley off to the side, dancing and clapping along to the music. She already knows the moves better than I do, even though I’m the one with the expert calling out steps to me. Keeley’s just like that, though. Naturally rhythmic. Eternally cute. She’d be an amazing featured single for Swipe Rite’s new Summer of Love campaign. But she’s already got Andrew. And East has Becca. Violet has Larry. Hayden has Jasper. Cullen and Lauren both have Tilly.
Even Warren has his new woman.
Meanwhile, all I have is a deep longing for a man who will be too busy for me. Forever.
“Nori!” Lou calls out from behind his camera. He motions for me to up my enthusiasm level. So I paste on a grin, throw my head back, and force some laughter while Rex Hamilton and I stack the wood.
Side note: that’s a square dancing term. Swipe Rite is not turning into that kind of app.
An hour later, when the dancing is over and Jerry the caller has left, Keeley comes over to give me a hug. “Would you be all right if Andrew picked me up? He’s getting restless, and you’ve still got some promo stuff to do, and?—”
I throw a hand up. “You’ve done plenty for me tonight already. Seriously. I’m so grateful.”
“You sure you don’t need me here for the final video?”
“I’ve got this.”
“Good.” She winces. “Because Andrew’s already here.”
“Go.” I give her a gentle push toward the parking lot. “And thank you so much.”
“Anytime, friend.” Keeley flashes me a grin. “And let the record show, I’m here. Not Hayden.” She does a little curtsy, then heads off.
At the same time, Dove rushes over to me. “Rex is such a gentleman,” she says. “He’s walking a pack of old ladies to their homes. But once he’s back, we want to get some shots of you two in the garden. Over by the petunias. Maybe with your hats off.” She starts reapplying my lipstick and powdering my sweaty brow. “That man is so gorgeous, we really want to hammer the point home.”
“No problem, Dove.”
Ms. Cooperative. That’s me.
“Do you think you’ll choose him?” she asks. “Or maybe Miles? Wait! Don’t tell me. I want to be surprised.” She lowers her voice. “Personally, I’d go with that baseball player. The one from the wedding? Too bad he’s not a part of the promo.”
Yes. Too bad. Really.
“Anyway, I’ve gotta run to the restroom, but I’ll be back soon to powder Rex.” She wags her eyebrows. “If you don’t choose him, I just might. But don’t tell me. I want to be?—”
“Surprised,” I interrupt with a small smile. “Deal.”
As Dove scurries off, I wander over to Lou, who’s already set up in the garden. The landscaping lights came on about an hour ago, so rows of lamps illuminate the walkway. Smaller lights glow along the flower beds.
Lou’s mouth goes crooked as I approach. “Nice quadrille back there, Nori.”
“Thanks, but I have no idea what a quadrille is.”
“It was the dance where you and Rex and that old couple paired up into a foursome, and?—”
“Oh, right. I remember now.” My mouth tugs up. “Good times.” I glance around, making sure Dove’s officially out of earshot. “So, what’s the plan for the final video? The one where I choose?”
“The team already wrote copy for the caption, and Dove got the go-ahead to upload everything as soon as she approves the edits on the video. All we have to do is plug in the name of your pick. Then we’re posting.”
“Sounds good.” I take off my hat, smooth my hair. “Do you think we could film the video now? Just us, here in the garden?”
“What’s the rush?”
“I just … I don’t want an audience.” A thread of pleading sneaks into my voice. “I’ve had eyes on me every step of this campaign, and I just need this last part to be me. Also”—I flinch—“I’m not picking Rex. So I don’t want things to be awkward for him.”
“Sure thing.” Lou bobs his head. “That’s nice of you.”
I am nice, a deep voice echoes in my head. Weeks ago, Cash said this when I seemed shocked by his kindness.
“How about over here?” Lou asks, positioning me under a garden lamp. Green vines wind their way down the base from top to bottom. Kind of like Cash wound his way around my heart.
“Perfect,” I say.
“All right.” Lou lifts his camera. “Are you ready for your close up? ”
“Yes.” I blow out a breath. “Probably.”
The truth is, I may never be completely ready for this. Or for anything in life.
All I can do is try and learn.
And hope Cash Briggs is watching.