27. Violet
Chapter 27
Violet
It’s been one day, technically one night, since Dustin and I have become more than friends. They’ve already dubbed us the new “ it” couple in town. Plastered all over the town's social media page, with one long article, written by none other than the Gossip Mill. They work fast because it was published at four in the morning. The post is filled with quotes from the town folks on our sightings. One from Sophia, co-owner of The Cozy Cabin Inn , confirming a sighting of us kissing goodbye in front of my shop last night. Then it all gets worse because I didn’t even get a chance to tell Olive yet. I wanted to break the news in person. But no, I couldn’t do it on my own; they had to beat me to it. Dustin told his Gram last night, she told her best friend Jane, and Jane told Bobbie. You could guess what happened from there.
Dustin sent me an apologetic text and I know he didn’t mean to announce it to the whole town overnight, so I just shrugged it off. I wouldn’t mind if only I had sent Olive some kind of text last night to tell her. She’s going to be so mad at me.
I flip the open sign on the front door. It’s exactly seven and there are already customers lined up. They’re here for one reason, and one reason only. To find out information.
At least I think so.
“Good morning everyone!” I greet the ladies standing at the door. “Come on in and get out of the rain.” They all file in, closing their umbrellas and hanging their coats on the coat rack next to the door. The ladies all browse flowers and plants. Which shocks me. This is more business than I have ever had this early in the morning. I thought they would all hound me for the details of how we ended up together, but they are looking for things to purchase. A few of the townies purchase bouquets, others choose house plants. A few congratulate me on my relationship. Once the crowd is gone, I sigh in relief as I sit on the couch.
Olive comes rushing in the door with a purpose. Her raincoat flaps in the wind along with the swinging door. She shrugs her coat on the hanger and beelines straight to me.
Oh no .
“I am so happy for you!” Olive squeals as she hops onto the couch. Her arms pull me into a squeezing hug.
What? This is not what I expected at all. I was preparing for the worst.
“You’re not mad that I didn’t tell you?”
“Of course not! I know how the gossip mill works. You would have told me if you had the chance.” She lets me go and leans back on the couch.
“Who’s watching the coffee shop?” I wonder how she’s able to be here during opening hours. It's a peak business hour for coffee. Otherwise, the townies turn into zombies without their caffeine fix.
“Mason was grabbing coffee and offered to cover for a few while I talked to you. I was telling him all about you and Dustin. And how badly I wanted to talk to you in person about it,” she stammers, fidgeting with the keys in her hand.
“Oh Mason? What’s going on there?”
“We’re just friends. You know this. Anyway, I'm here to talk about you, not me.” She brushes some of her red hair onto her back. “Please let me say my piece and then I have to get back. I couldn’t wait until this afternoon to say it.”
When I don’t stop her, she continues, “I knew it. I knew something was going on between you two. You had a thing for him all along, whether you wanted to admit it or not. I’m so happy for you. After your last relationship I thought you would never let someone in again. I’m so glad I was wrong. You deserve to be happy. And you need to let go of everything that you blame yourself for. Jackson cheating on you was not your fault. Your parents’ accident was not your fault. Please don’t forget that.” Tears form in the corner of her eyes.
“Thank you. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“I don’t know what I would do without you either. But I need to go, before the coffee is all burnt and I lose customers. Plus, we will both be a crying mess if I stay.”
Now I’m alone in my thoughts repeating what she just said: You deserve to be happy. She’s right. I need to stop self-sabotaging.