Chapter 26
AVERY
Ifeel like the past three days have been a whirlwind.
The benefit, though, has been that Lila has spent a lot of time with Ashley, which means I’ve had more time to work on the cafe. We now have so many pieces of décor, which I found at the local thrift shop and online, and Sarah came up with an absolutely amazing logo for our new name.
As I look up at the new title of the place that I’ve put a lot of time into, I can’t help but feel grateful for so many things in my life.
There have been lots of twists and turns, which is why Second Tide Coffee is so significant to me.
It’s like I’ve been given a second chance at life, and I’m going to hold on to it with all I’ve got.
The sun is barely peeking over the horizon, and I take in a deep breath, grateful for this opportunity once again.
“What do you need me to do?” Sarah asks.
“We need to wipe down the windows and get the sidewalk sign set up.”
“That’s a great idea,” Sarah says. “Then people who are just walking by will know what we’re selling.”
I let out a deep breath. “And we’re going to expand some of our menu.”
Sarah’s eyebrows cinch together. “What do you mean?”
“We’ll add in some sandwiches and more pastries. I got some things at the store we can try out some combinations and even pick one or two that people recommend for our menu. If we give people more options—maybe muffins or something else—it will help so it’s not just coffee.”
“Of course. I’m willing to do whatever you need. Just let me know and train me how you want it to be done.”
“I’ll do the sandwiches for now, but the rest will be a slow add-in, because I need to save some money to buy an industrial mixer and a few other things, but I’m going to put it in the plans for future.”
“I’m excited for all of this. I don’t want to say that I was worried, but I was worried.”
We both laugh, and she walks into the back room to get out some more supplies.
The test-run weekend begins tomorrow, and I’m determined to have a bunch of things ready. I’ve already ordered a new menu sign from the printer.
As I glance around the coffee shop, I’m surprised at how different it looks and how much cozier it is. Instead of just being a sanitized white color, it’s got pops of light blues and greens, with a few sunsets in the decor and the pictures, and even I feel more comfortable here.
Why was I so stubborn about it before?
A memory pops up with my ex. I had told him to meet me at a coffee shop while I was studying and researching for a case our firm was working on, and when he came in, he sneered at the idea of even working in there.
Our law firm offices had the typical modern furniture with abstract paintings and stuff like that, the opposite of what the coffee shop looked like.
Something hits me in the chest, and I realize that I’m still trying to live up to his warped sense of self. Instead of dwelling on it, though, I know that by changing things and making it how I want, it will be better in the long run.
The advantage to this now is that I now feel lighter somehow. Being in here gives me a sense of calm, whereas it was just another sterile building before.
Sarah and I work throughout the day, and it’s a blur as our customer base increases once again.
Sure, we still don’t have a ton of people in town, but if we can get people in for their morning cup of coffee or for a sandwich that’s different from the other restaurants in town, it will be a benefit to all of us.
I don’t realize Max has walked in until he’s grinning at me over the cash register. There’s a stranger who walks in, but he takes a seat in one of the booths, staring at his phone.
“Hey,” I say, giving him a bright smile. I love seeing him here.
I don’t know why, but every time I see this man, I notice something different. This time it’s that he’s wearing a pair of shorts and a bright T-shirt, instead of his usual white or light blue button-up shirts. Maybe our town has rubbed off on him.
“Hey,” he says. “I almost didn’t recognize this place today.”
I laugh. “I will take that as a compliment. I hope you know that you spurred it on.”
He chuckles. “Yeah, but I didn’t expect you to rebrand in such a quick time frame. That’s probably why I keep missing you.”
“Well, not all of us are as terrible as Rusty at our jobs. Between driving people to and from the airport and gathering the materials for this, I feel like I’ve only been in the car.”
Max leans in a bit, looking conspiratorial. “Is it bad that I have never met this man, and even I have a joke about him?”
I lean a little closer and only realize how close we are when I can see a few flecks of gold in his eyes. “We’re just commiserating over a rough situation.”
“Well, then, we’re both horrible people,” Max says with a grin.
I lean back a bit, trying to pull myself out of the heady feeling I have while talking to him. “What can I get for you today?”
“Well,” Max says, looking up at the sign behind me, “it looks like you’ve got quite a few new options. Can I try the turkey sandwich?”
“Of course. Do you want that to be grilled or just a regular sandwich?”
His eyes go a little wide. “Are you prepared for that kind of stuff?”
I laugh. “This would be my first sandwich in the shop. We have a tiny panini press right now, and I’m working on getting more in. They should be here by tomorrow morning, so I’m hoping we’ll be able to use them for customer orders through the test-run event.”
He gives me a smile. “You got your business entered for this weekend?”
“Yeah. Let’s just hope it goes well.”
Something in his expression falters. “You won’t get to try any of the other activities that are on it? I thought it would be fun to take you with me to try the new restaurant on Saturday. I mean, since I haven’t gotten a text from you yet.”
I smile at him. “Oh, yeah, we’ll only have people coming in on Sunday, so tomorrow is mostly the go-karts, and there’s the cookout.
I think there’s a surfing thing too, but I can’t remember any of the other activities or which days they’re on right now.
I’m sure they’ll have a bulletin out tomorrow to get us started…
” I pause. “I’ve been tempted to text you several times. I end up deleting them every time.”
His looks surprised. “Why?”
“I’m not sure. It just never seems like the right time to send it.”
Laughing, Max says, “A text from you will never come at a bad time.” His smile is smaller now, as if he’s worried he said something wrong.
“I appreciate it. We’ll have to hang out this weekend then.”
“I’m excited to see you there,” he says.
Me too, Max. Me too. Way more than I should be.
The door opens, and a taller man enters. “Max, get me a coffee.”
Max swivels around to look at him before he turns back to me with a small smile. “Can I get a coffee with all the milk and sugar in the world for my friend Aiden?”
“Do you have a specific amount of each? I mean, I can fill the cup half full of both with only a splash of coffee?” I give him a smile, so he knows I’m kidding.
“Enough sugar in his veins and he’ll only be worse to deal with,” Max says, shaking his head as if in irritation.
“Sounds like he’s the perfect match to balance out your black coffee.” I raise an eyebrow, waiting for his response.
“Then all is right in the universe.” He laughs. I like the sound of his laugh. I think I just like him. And that’s somewhat terrifying.
“Is he a coworker? Or a friend who came to visit?” I ask, curious.
“No. And yes. Well, kind of. It’s a long story.”
“One I’m curious to hear, but probably later since we actually have customers.” I point behind him, to where two more people are lined up.
He chuckles, and I ring him up for the sandwich and coffees before working to fill the order.
I give Max the coffee, and our fingers graze lightly. This is the first time we haven’t shocked ourselves in the shop when handing over a cup of coffee.
He heads over to a table, and he and his friend talk.
The way Max carries himself—with confidence—and the way he’s able to put me at ease even when circumstances are hard, surprises me.
The way he held my hand in my apartment, and his wanting to take me on a date even when I haven’t given him my number yet.
The way he gives advice but allows me the room to choose what I want to implement.
I wish I could block my heart from having feelings for him, but I can’t.
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder—or wait, that’s the wrong one. I meant something about absence taking away the sting or something. Yeah, I’m not the best at remembering quotes, unless they’re citings from law books.
I continue to work, trying to figure out why I haven’t sent a text to Max yet. Several answers come to mind, but none of them trump the rest as the winner. Maybe it’s just the freedom to choose, to not be ordered or demanded to do something.
There’s no obligation, rather.
Could that be my answer? That I’m relishing in the fact that he’s not demanding my attention, but trying to earn it?
It’s something I need to keep thinking about. But enjoying the weekend with him and Lila will be fun. At least I hope it will be.