Chapter 14
The next day, Sasha was ready to welcome Ben with her usual smile. If he was still interested in a matcha reading, she’d be more sensitive and tell him he needn’t disclose anything he didn’t feel comfortable with.
She had a lot to organize with Mollie and Paloma’s party on the following Friday, but her gaze kept pinging towards the door, hoping Ben would come back. But there was no sign of him.
Mollie and Paloma had invited around forty friends and family and the list was growing by the hour.
Mollie had set up a group chat so they could discuss details and Sasha’s phone kept buzzing every couple of minutes.
Nathan was helping her plan a selection of canapés as well as the show-stopping anniversary cake. He was very excited too.
The only thing left to do was to talk to Casey about his jazz trio.
She wished the tip hadn’t come from Eleanor.
Mollie had invited her too, the last person Sasha wanted to see.
Eleanor would be sure to ask about her decision on the lease, reminding her how the happy life she’d built could soon be ending.
Since Coffee Bean had opened, she’d avoided that end of the high street. ‘I need to get over myself,’ she said out loud. ‘I’m a business owner and I need to check out the competition.’
Leaving Annie in charge while it was quiet, she decided to wander over to Coffee Bean to chat to Casey instead of just calling him.
She walked up the high street, towards the town hall.
It was much busier that end. She passed the pharmacy where Paloma worked, the post office, the pub, the Italian deli and a few other shops.
She soon reached Coffee Bean. Its shopfront was the polar opposite to the painted green wood of Matcha Moments.
The shop sign was a simple logo and graphic of a latte mug, above floor-to-ceiling smoked-glass windows.
Something loosened in her chest. She had nothing to worry about.
Mr Davis and Gloria were right. It had a completely different feel to her cosy café and would attract a different type of customer.
She pushed through the door. To the left, the window had a narrow bar running along it. A few customers were perched on stools, staring vacantly at their phones and laptops.
Lining the wall on the right were four tables, each seating no more than two or three people. Her eye snagged on one table, on a customer with brown hair, wearing navy, just like Ben. She had to stop being so obsessed with him. Not every guy with dark hair was Ben.
Oh shit . . . Those cheekbones. It was Ben. His laptop open on the table, he was facing another man, who wore a suit. She immediately ducked back. Please don’t let him see me!
The man in the suit also had a laptop. They must be having a business meeting.
Of course, Ben was entitled to go where he liked to drink his tea.
Or even coffee if he preferred. If she couldn’t help thinking of the Matcha Moments customers as her customers, that was her being weird.
She might only see them in her café, but it was natural they would go to other cafés, pubs and restaurants.
Even her most loyal regulars, Mollie and Paloma and Mr Davis and Gloria could have been hanging out at Coffee Bean for weeks, for all she knew.
And they were perfectly within their rights.
There was absolutely no reason for Ben to avoid going to Coffee Bean. He’d told Mollie he couldn’t drink caffeine, but Sasha was sure they served green and herbal teas here too. Even matcha.
Sasha hovered in the doorway, feeling indecisive. The push–pull of this thing between her and Ben felt almost tangible. At least to her. She stared at his head, then looked away again, hoping he wouldn’t sense her eyes on him and turn round.
Should she go in?
She could always phone Casey about his music. You’re being ridiculous!
What should she do? Go back to Matcha Moments, to her safe place, and phone Casey about his trio? Or she could put on her Big-Girl Pants.
Sasha was never one to back out from a challenge. With a deep breath, she walked straight past Ben and stood in front of the counter. There was an older lady in front of her, taking a long time to order an oat-milk latte.
‘Does that come with or without chocolate on top?’ she asked Casey, dithering.
‘Maybe you’d prefer a cappuccino?’ he suggested.
‘No, I like the milkiness of a latte – but with chocolate on top.’
Sasha leaned over and suggested: ‘Could that be called a latte-cino?’
‘Oh dear, yes – that sounds delicious!’ the older lady chuckled.
Sasha laughed too, and to her ears, the sound rang out, loud and fake. She sensed Ben looking over and involuntarily turned and caught his eye.
‘Sasha?’ He looked startled. Did he feel that he’d been caught out?
She waved at him, smiling, her heart racing just a tad. ‘Oh – hi, Ben – sorry – I wasn’t ignoring you – just didn’t want to interrupt your meeting. Don’t worry,’ she joked, ‘I don’t expect undivided loyalty from my customers – you’re perfectly free to come here as well as Matcha Moments.’
Why did I say that? Sometimes she couldn’t stop herself saying what was in her brain. There was an awkward silence.
But luckily it was filled by the older lady. ‘Ooo!’ she said to Sasha. ‘I’ve been meaning to try the matcha café on the corner – they look like they have delicious cakes.’
‘You should definitely come along.’ Sasha nodded and flushed, feeling even more awkward. ‘Hope you don’t mind, Casey – I’m not trying to pinch your customers – there’s a time and place for all sorts of cafés.’
Casey nodded, smiling. ‘Yeah, exactly!’
Ben coughed. ‘Yes, I – er – keep the coffee bar for business. The café is my refuge.’
The guy opposite him spoke up. ‘The matcha café? I’d be happy to meet there next time if you prefer?’
Ben nodded politely. ‘Er – we can go there, but – it’s not really a place for business.’
‘That’s not strictly true. We do allow laptops,’ said Sasha. ‘Mollie – our very respected local solicitor – works in there all day. But, please – don’t let me disturb you. I’m just here to talk to Casey – nice to meet you . . .?’ She turned to the guy opposite Ben.
‘Rafael.’ He stood up and leaned over, shaking her hand in a firm grip.
‘Sasha.’ She smiled rather awkwardly and retrieved her hand, which felt slightly crushed.
‘Sasha runs Matcha Moments, on the corner by the green,’ Ben told him. He then turned to Sasha, saying in a lower voice, ‘We – er – we still need to make another appointment? Shall I text you?’
‘Fabulous!’ She grinned at him, then swivelled back towards Casey.
‘Hey, Sasha.’ Casey smiled. ‘Did you – want a coffee?’
‘No, lovely, I’m fine for drinks. I have a question – your stepmum said you were in a jazz trio?’
‘Er, yes – more of a duo at the moment. Saxophone and double bass.’
‘That sounds perfect. Would you be free to play for an event we’re having? Well, a party, for Mollie and Paloma’s anniversary, Friday week.’
‘Yeah, great! Sounds awesome. I’ll email you a link on SoundCloud if you want a listen.’
‘Amazing!’
Sasha and Casey exchanged emails and then she bounced out, waving at Ben and his business associate as she passed.
If Ben would be coming for his reading after all, Sasha needed to hurry and do some research.