Chapter 39
Nina
“Good afternoon,” I greeted the family after the bell above the door stopped chiming. As they approached the counter, I said, “Welcome to Grannie’s, what can I make for you?”
My smile was forced. My voice cracked. My eyes were bloodshot.
The family didn’t notice as they ordered one black coffee, one iced skinny vanilla latte, and two chocolate milks.
The group of laughing high schoolers didn’t notice either.
Only Beth, and a few early morning regulars, had noticed I didn’t seem like myself. Beth didn’t have to ask. The regulars accepted my lame “I had a rough night” excuse.
I lost track of how often I said, I’ll be my normal cheerful self again after a good night’s rest.
Will I?
I doubted it. I don’t think I’d ever be that girl again. Every man in a suit had my lungs stopping and my heart racing until they left without asking to talk to me.
I cried during my morning break. I checked on my grandmother and Matt during lunch.
“She’s napping now. When she wakes up, we’re having tuna sandwiches for lunch,” Matt said.
“Thank you.”
“She asked me if I liked cop shows? Should I be worried about the way she talked about the male lead?” he asked with a snicker.
It felt good to laugh a little.
“Maybe, just tune her out when she starts talking about how hot he is.”
“Copy that. How are you holding up?”
Not good. Bad. Really fucking awful.
I couldn’t bring myself to say okay, so I said, “I’m fine.”
“It’s okay if you’re not feeling like yourself.”
Tears appeared as if summoned by his permission.
“Thanks again, Matt,” I said, trying not to give away that I’d started crying again. “I’ll be home right after work.” My day was usually over by two.
“No rush. Take some you time, if you need to.”
If only I could, but I’d promised to make stew. Plus, I’m not allowed to go anywhere without a bodyguard, so ‘me time’ isn’t an option.