6. Jules #2
I finish my shift at the Daily Brew in a confused flurry.
Pretty soon, I’ll be able to work only for myself, but right now, the extra cash comes in handy, especially since every dime I’ve managed to save is tied up in opening the new store.
The large check that I wrote to the contractor for materials was a hit to my savings—one I’d planned for, but a hit nonetheless.
The other half of the payment will be due once construction is complete.
I head to the new shop, my attitude one hundred percent improved with the prospect of seeing progress.
I’m hoping to catch the guy and that he’ll have a timeline so I can plan on when to have my supplies ordered.
Since I had the early shift, I’ve got at least six or eight hours that I can work in the shop before I crash.
But when I get there, all is quiet. Dread fills me as I unlock the door and flip on the lights.
Nothing has been done.
Tears prick my eyes. This can’t be happening. If this guy doesn’t get started, like, yesterday… I’m going to fail.
The door to the shop opens, and I swipe at my eyes and paste on a smile as I turn. But it’s not a prospective customer. Nope. It’s Cal and his niece .
He stops short inside the door and stares.
The little girl toddles along beside him, clinging to a finger.
He’s changed since I saw him last. His cheeks are pink from being outside.
And a floral pink backpack wraps around impressive shoulders that I didn’t pay attention to earlier, molding his white T-shirt to his torso.
The combo of wide chest and flat abs should be illegal. I should not find this man attractive.
“Hi.” A tiny little girl’s voice breaks the awkward silence. It’s adorable.
“Jules? What are you doing here? Wait. Are you the one opening this shop?”
I can’t tell if he’s thrilled or mad about it.
“I am.”
“Oh wow. That’s cool.” His eyes light up, and I have my answer. “We were on our way back from the park and noticed the lights on. I’ve been wanting to stop in and see what’s going on here.”
He steps farther inside the empty building, and now I see that she is covered in playground dirt, and there are little footprints on his shirt, like maybe her feet were dirty when he picked her up.
He’s looking around the room, inquisitive, curious, and too handsome for his own good. I bet this guy winks and the ladies fall into his bed. Also, I don’t know why I’ve been such a Grumpy Gus whenever he’s around. I blame stress. And the contractor who’s put my business on the line.
A massive sigh rolls up from my toes, and I turn to face where my counter should be. “I’ve got big plans for a coffee shop.”
“Don’t sound so excited about it. No, Charlie, danger.”
I glance over my shoulder to see the toddler trying to climb the neatly stacked wood.
“Sorry, she’s full of adventure.” He picks her up and flips her upside down over his shoulder, and her precious giggle rings out through the barren room.
“She’s adorable.”
“Is… uh, everything okay?” he asks, looking from me to the stack of wood and back at me.
“Yeah.”
No. No, it’s not okay .
“Actually. No.”
His eyebrows shoot up his forehead.
He asked, and I’m done lying to myself. “My contractor won’t return my calls. We are two weeks behind schedule. All that wood should already be in use. Making walls and a bathroom and a counter. Instead, my investment is lying useless on the floor.”
“You paid him already?”
“Half at the time we signed the contract. He bought the supplies, but that was a month ago.” I can feel the irritation making my shoulders rise to my ears just talking about it. I don’t know why I’m unloading my sob story on this virtual stranger, but I can’t stop the word vomit from happening.
He winces. “That doesn’t sound good.”
I don’t want to rehash this again. I’m emotionally drained. Instead, I watch Charlie scramble around the room, until Cal is forced to remove her from climbing on the unsafe stacks of wood.
“How’d she do at day care?” I ask, changing the subject.
“So-so. It’s only been a day. She’s had a lot of change lately, but I’m hoping that as things settle down, she won’t cry so much.”
I nod. Nancy says that all the time about her kids. They like their schedules. I can’t imagine my life being dictated by a tiny little terror.
“Well, we better get home and get some food in this girl. She gets hangry.” A tiny smile touches his lips as he looks at Charlie. “If you need anything, we’re right upstairs.”
Wait. Upstairs?
“You’re the one banging on the wall?”
Those glacial blues zip back to me. “How’d you kno—” The warmth from gazing at his niece is replaced by an ice-cold glare.
“You’re the jerk blaring music in the middle of the night?
Real nice work on the fish. Bet you had a real blast strewing it all over my landing.
Was kind of a dick move, if you ask me.”
I gasp. And just like that, lines are drawn.
“Never mind, I take it back. Don’t call me if you need anything.” He scoops up Charlie, who wiggles and fusses in his grip. “And how about you have the decency to not blare your music loud enough for people across town to hear. Some people have jobs.”
He tosses the words out like being a barista and working in a coffee shop isn’t a real job.
“How about you grow some manners and not bang on the wall?”
“I couldn’t leave because the baby was sleeping. Otherwise, I’d have been banging on the door.”
Our voices grow in volume until we’re nearly shouting at one another. This is not me. I don’t shout at people. But I’ve had it with men who think they can push me around.
“Get out of my shop.” I fling the words out, wishing they’d slap him.
“Oh. Trust me. You won’t see me set foot in here again.” He stalks to the door, slamming it open and marching through like I’ve royally pissed him off.
What a jackass .