Chapter 24
AVERY
Do we have a line around the block? No. But do I feel a lot better about the number of people coming through our doors? Absolutely.
I’ve already heard from so many people saying they didn’t even know we were here, and it almost feels like our opening day redo. I’ve come up with some ideas for what to call the shop, and I’m hoping to narrow it down by the end of the day.
We have two more days until our test-run slot.
I liked Max’s idea of putting our shop on the trail.
Sure, it’s not the most organized thing I’ve ever done, but if I’m going to make lemonade out of this, I’ll just make sure we have a nice big sign, then get the new one designed and delivered before the busy season officially starts.
I’ve already ordered an easel to place out on the sidewalk to catch people’s attention.
The blinds should be in at the end of next week, and I spent a little of my savings to get a few more tables for outside.
A small awning might be something to think about in the future, but for once, it feels like this place has life to it.
I was so blinded by what I thought was important that I wasn’t looking at the overall aesthetic of the whole place. I’ve been more focused on function and making sure things ran well than I have making it look nice.
There are a lot of empty spaces inside, and I’ll need to get either pictures or décor—or both—to complete the look.
It’s more money out of my pocket, but I’d rather put it toward making this place cozy and feeling like a place that would have saved me during all those late nights studying and needing a change of scenery than risk losing the business altogether.
Which reminds me, I haven’t gotten those invoices to Max. I groan. It needs to go on my list for today.
“Which one of these names do you think would be good?” I ask Sarah, who has come in for the first time in a couple of days. I didn’t really need her again before now, but I’m grateful for her flexibility.
“Harbor Grounds, Driftwood Coffee, Second Tide Coffee. Oh, I like the last one,” she says. Then, “If you want, I can come up with some logo ideas for designing things. It would be something super fun.”
I smile. “That would be amazing. I’m not the best at logo designs. Or any designs, for that matter.”
Sarah laughs. “That’s okay. You’re a lot better at running a business than I am.”
I let out a little laugh. “That’s questionable these days.”
“I haven’t seen Lila in here in a while. Is everything okay?” Sarah asks.
“Yeah, she’s just sick of doing all the things down here. She was excited when we first opened the shop, but now it’s lost the newness. I think she’s finally found a new friend, though, which makes me happy because she needs one.”
“Absolutely. Having a good friend is one of those things that can make some of the harder experiences in life bearable.”
“Who’s your best friend?” I ask her.
“Randi, but she had to move away. We keep in contact, and we have a lot of great memories together. Once a year we try to plan a trip somewhere, but, because of lack of funds, she’s had to come here a few times.”
“I totally get that,” I say. “It’s one of those things where you just try to make the best of the situation.”
“What about you?” Sarah asks. “Do you have a friend you can lean on?”
I hesitate, trying to come up with a good answer to this.
“I was in a career that pitted most women against each other. And before then, I mostly grew up in a neighborhood where there were a lot of little kids, or ones that were graduating high school, so I never really felt like I had a close friend near me. My sister is the closest thing, but she’s eight years older than me. ”
“That’s so sad,” Sarah says. “I know you’re my boss and all, but if you ever need anything, a shoulder to cry on, or someone to chat with, you know you can come to me.”
“Thank you, Sarah. That means a lot.”
While it might sound like a typical thing to say, I believe it with my soul. It’s not often that I’m lucky enough to have people in my corner outside of my family. I’ve always kind of felt like I was going up against the world, hoping it would all work out.
“And if it means anything to you, I think you should go out with Mr. Max.” She lets out a little giggle, and I roll my eyes.
Maybe I’ve been spending way too much time with Lila, because I feel like I’m taking over all of her mannerisms.
“He’s a nice guy,” I find myself saying, and several memories fly through my brain that verify it.
Then a sliver of doubt creeps in. Despite holding my hand and asking for my phone number, would he want me for longer than a few dates?
“I worry that once he finishes this project, he’ll go back to New York and move on with his life. ”
The sharpness of the admission hits me in the chest, making it difficult to breathe.
Sarah gives me a brief grin. “I take it you have thought about him in that way.”
Her comment causes me to take a step back.
“Maybe. I come with a lot of baggage I haven’t worked through quite yet.”
“I get that, but sometimes we have to give people a chance. We never know the final answer if we don’t ask the question.”
She leans in to give me a hug. It gets me choked up, and I pull her a little closer before taking a step back. I swipe at a tear in my eyes and smile at her.
“Sorry about that,” I say.
“What do you mean? Everyone needs a little help and comfort and support now and then. I’m totally here for you.”
She gives my hand a little squeeze, and I thank her for helping again.
“Why don’t you head out and start designing a sign? The sooner we can get it printed and up, the better off we’ll be.”
“Sounds great, boss,” she says.
“I’m hoping to at least change the name by tomorrow. You think we should do Second Tide Coffee?”
“Yeah, I mean, it’s announcing that we sell coffee, and it’s like your second chance at business, right?”
I’m not sure if she’s referring to it being my second career, or a rebrand on this short stint in business, but I kind of like it.
Letting out a slow breath, I say, “Let’s do it.”
“Of course,” Sarah says, pulling me into a hug. “And I’m one hundred percent behind you doing the test-run weekend. I think it’ll endear you to the rest of the townspeople.”
Something about her words stops me. “Am I not already endearing enough?” I try to make it sound like it’s a joke, but I need insider information.
Everything I’ve been told up to this point has been from Max, who isn’t even inside the actual circle—or whatever it is here in Penrose Beach.
Sarah has lived here long enough to know most of the people and how things work.
To be honest, if I had been better at using my deductive skills learned from all the law stuff I’d gone through, I would probably know things better as well.
But juggling the coffee shop and Lila, along with overcoming insecurities stemming from Curt, it just seemed like too much at once.
“I think many people don’t quite know you yet,” Sarah says, but then puts out a hand and continues.
“And I think that’s a good thing, because there’s so much to get to know about you that is great, and you’re so helpful and amazing at the customer service part of the coffee shop.
But I do agree that any marketing will be better than what we’ve been doing lately. ”
I want to be offended, but I know it’s the truth. “I figured coffee would be an easy sell, and I wouldn’t have to do it on my own. Obviously, that was a big oversight on my part, and I’m willing to admit when I’m wrong.”
Sarah gives me a reassuring smile. “There’s nothing wrong with that. Let me know what else I can do.”
“For now, the best option is for you to help me with a logo. Second Tide Coffee. I like that one the most.”
“Perfect. I’ll get started on a few sketches now.” Sarah heads out the front door.
My phone rings, and I see Lila’s name on it, which is strange. I don’t usually get the calls when Cora is home.
“Hey, sis, what’s going on?” I ask.
“Can Ashley come over later?”
“What did your mom say?” I ask.
“She’s folding laundry and packing to leave again. I figured I’d ask you.”
“I’m good with it,” I say. At least she’s found someone aside from Kylie. “What would you guys like to do?”
“We’ve been listening to a lot of the same music, and it would be fun to just hang out, you know.”
I smile even though she can’t see me.
“I absolutely get that.”
It’s one thing for me to not have any close friends, but I don’t want Lila to suffer the same thing.
“How long do you want her to stay, and do I need to pick up anything at the store?”
“Could she maybe have dinner with us?” Lila asks.
“Of course. Do you have any requests?”
“Any kind of pasta will do, and maybe some garlic bread. That sounds super good right now.”
I laugh. “I can do that. I have to do a rideshare drop off at the airport now, then I’ll head to the store on the way back. If you think of anything else, let me know.”
“Perfect. Thank you, Aunt Avery.”
I open my messaging app and text Cora.
Pasta good for dinner?
It doesn’t take long for a response to come.
Cora
I need to head to the airport, so I’ll miss dinner.
Do you need a ride?
Cora
No, thanks though. I’ve got to turn my rental in.
I’d nearly forgotten about the rental car she had. We probably should’ve taken it back earlier. It seems frivolous to waste money on a car she wasn’t even driving the past couple of days.
I was planning on dinner for four. But maybe now I’ll invite Max to take Cora’s place.