Chapter 4
Finn
I’ve never been intimidated by Jennie. Now she scares the living crap out of me. How can I turn our relationship around romantically if her digs destroy me? Speechless is not my usual state.
So the next day, I arrive at the Caffeine Drip, Lilly at my heels, flowers in my hand, determined to get Jennie to listen. Maybe tulips will bridge the gap between us, signaling my intent to elevate our relationship. After all, I’ve never given her flowers before.
As Lilly circles to find the perfect spot, a shrill cry pierces my ear.
“Oh my God, oh my God, omigod!” Mrs. Hartley comes running towards me and seizes the flowers.
“Thank you so much!” I find myself hugged and kissed on my cheek.
“That is so nice of you to think of my birthday.” She sighs contently and walks back to her table, where her husband is sitting.
He smiles at me and mouths, “Thank you.”
Mrs. Hartley then orders Jennie to bring her a vase for the flowers.
“We are a coffee shop, not a florist. We don’t have any vases.” Her voice is icy.
“Well then, bring me something.” Mrs. Hartley takes a deep sniff of the flowers. “Now wasn’t that a nice surprise?” she asks her husband. “Just as I started to believe that nobody in town thought of my birthday.”
I make it over to my usual table, still stunned at what happened.
Should I have wrangled the flowers out of her hands to give them to Jennie?
I couldn’t do that to Mrs. Hartley. Although she is way down the list of my favorite people, I wouldn’t knowingly hurt her.
While I wait for my coffee, the door opens and Neil strolls in.
He takes the seat opposite me. “You’re ready to meet with the real estate agent? ”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” I smile at Neil confidently. Save for my relationship with Jennie, I am quite sure of myself.
Jennie plops an emptied custard can on the Hartley’s table and puts a coffee in front of me. “It’s still decaf, so you know.”
“I do.” I want to say something nice and flirty, but before I can come up with anything, Jennie turns to Neil. “Coffee? And chocolate cheesecake?”
“Hey, I want that, too!” I always get a treat with my coffee. Decaf is bad enough, so I really need some sweet goodness to get it down.
Jennie just pushes her black-rimmed glasses up her nose—all while glaring at me—and walks away.
Neil chuckles. “Still in the doghouse?”
“I don’t even know how I got in there.”
“Didn’t you want to get her flowers?”
I point at the bouquet on the Hartley’s table. “It’s her birthday.”
“You gave the flowers to someone else?”
“I didn’t give them. She took them.”
Neil looks at me with wide eyes and then bursts out laughing. He’s literally wheezing with laughter, and tears steam down his face. When Jennie brings his coffee and our cake, he manages to stop and utter, “Thanks, luv.”
She smiles at him. “You’re welcome.” Looking at me, she adds, “You might not be.”
Having decided to step out of friendship is doing me no good. I feel insecure and keep second-guessing myself. Why is Jennie mad at me now? I didn’t do anything. My funky brain is not able to understand this—nor why Neil is still grinning broadly.
I don’t like this feeling of being at odds with my surroundings. It all started with me wanting more from Jennie, so if I reverse that decision, we will get back on solid friendship ground. Things were way easier back then.
So the next time Jenny passes our table, I casually say to her, “Hey, what about coming over to my place tonight?”
Her eyes light up and she at least seems to consider it.
I look at Neil. “Are you coming, too? I’ve got some dope board games.”
“Game night?” Jennie asks in a weird voice.
I nod. “We could ask Lyle and Grace too. I’ll get the beer and some chips. Would you—”
Jennie interrupts me. “On second thought, I think I’m busy tonight.”
“Ah, come on! What could be that important?”
“I’ve got a book to read.” With that, she struts off. I look after her, befuddled. Me pulling that reverse card had done nothing. I’m still at a loss.
“What was that?” Neil asks.
“If only I knew. She is acting weird, isn’t she?”
“She is?” Neil tilts his head. “Man, you are smart, quick thinking, and creative. Plus, you’ve got great people skills—unless Jennie is concerned.”
“Tell me something new.” I look over to Jennie. She is mad—that much is clear.
“Maybe you should take the direct approach. Talk to her.”
“About what?”
“Your feelings, bro. Your feelings.”