6. Harmony
CHAPTER 6
Harmony
B usiness picks up after the town hall meeting. I can’t say for certain whether they’re coming in out of curiosity, or if they are trying to figure out if I’m telling the truth about why I want a liquor license. Either way, they’re coming in and it keeps me busy.Each coffee I make, each pastry I hand over the counter makes me smile just a little wider. Helps me open up just a little bit more to the Havenites visiting me, whatever their reason is.
Tobias might have the upper hand in having established relationships with the townspeople in Port Haven, but I’m the one with the repeat business in the mornings and afternoons. The downside of the busier days, though, is that in combination with being pregnant, I’m too exhausted to read when I get home. It’s not the norm for me.
I’ve ordered a couple pregnancy books online. I could make another appointment with Dr. Teetering-Jones to go over some of my more pressing questions, but why not figure it out myself between the internet and the books I ordered?
My thoughts go to the bookstore next door. I could buy another book there. But the problem is the owner is probably there too. I don’t want him knowing I’m pregnant. I loved that bookstore when I was young and a tourist. I would go with my mom and we’d pick out a vacation book or two, and I’d gush over the bookmarks and other stationary type bobbles. Mom would always sneak over to the bookmarks when I wasn’t looking and pick one out for me, usually with a mermaid or a pink tassel. I still have most of them.
Toby usually leaves at lunch—not that I’ve spent much time focusing on him. I just happen to see him come and go from time to time. Maybe I can sneak over for a couple minutes and look around. But then again, the lunch crowd is my bread and butter. So, I stay put and watch Toby head out after noon.
I wonder where he goes. Does he simply go for a walk? Does he have a girlfriend or lover he meets for lunch every day? I like to think we would have been friends, if he weren’t such a jerk to me. What is going on in his life that makes him such a royal ass?
The lunch time rush slows down, and I see the bookstore owner stop in front of my window and chat with a patron who just left my café. The conversation seems pleasant, and Toby seems genuinely engaged in whatever they’re discussing. I can’t help but wonder what topic makes Toby happy like that.
Which— wow —his smile is really nice. The kind that reaches all the way to his eyes and makes them sparkle. Why is the person he’s talking to getting this nice side of him, yet I only get his mean side?
I can’t help but linger on their friendly interaction when Toby’s eyes lock with mine through the front window. Busted staring at them, my cheeks heat. I can only imagine how red they look. Instead of him scowling at me like I expect, his head tilts slightly, the midday sun glinting off his dark blonde hair.
A small smile ghosts his lips, and I can’t tell if he’s smiling to be friendly or if he’s smiling because my mortification over being caught staring burns all over my face. I decide to take the first step at civility and lift my hand in a small, friendly wave.
He may not like me, but I didn’t start this feud. He’s the one who came and threw a fit in my café. Nothing wrong with killing him with a little kindness. I refocus my attention on picking up a cruller and cutting it into quarters to stick toothpicks into. Then, I put it on my sample platter and take it outside for Toby and the customer.
“Cruller sample?” I offer. “Amanda makes the best I’ve ever had. If either of you know a way I could convince her to work for me directly, please let me know.” The person Toby’s chatting with takes one of the samples, so I give him a big smile. When I turn the plate toward Toby, he takes one, his hand slightly brushing the one I’m holding the plate with. And, woah, tingles zing warmly all the way down my sides.
I’m not even sure what the heck that was. But I liked it. A lot. And I can’t help but wonder if he felt it too. Or if it was just me. I chance a look at him, and he’s looking at me with a curious look I can’t place. Almost questioning. I say nothing and offer the other two pieces of cruller to others passing by on the boarded walkway until my plate is empty and then return to my café. It felt good to be the bigger person. And hopefully my generosity distracted Toby enough that he’ll forget about me staring at him.
I receive a text from my dad soon after. A picture of a small bird in what looks like the backyard, wings flapping.
Dad: Look at this little guy, fresh out of the nest. He can fly fine, he’s just stretching his wings. Like you are.
How can I not love my dad? He’s sensitive but also likes to make sure I understand life lessons in every little thing.
Dad: It reminded me of the time you talked Sammy into caring for that nest of sparrow eggs until they hatched. I think you were ten. Sammy was never so stressed. He worried about how you’d react if he failed to hatch those eggs.
Dad: Miss you, kiddo. Mom and Fend are good. We love you.
Me: Miss you more, Dad.
I sigh, missing them all. A lot. But Dad’s right. I’m stretching my wings by being here. And I can do this.
Minutes later, Fender sends me a picture of his fish tank in a text.
More babies! I’m a fish dad!
God, I love my brother. I remember the day he was born. I was so excited to meet him. I always wanted a sibling, not that I told my parents. We were still a new family when my mom got pregnant with him. But I know now that she was petrified of losing the baby because miscarriages ran in her family—but also because she didn’t want me feeling like I would be replaced. I never did feel that way. My parents always made sure I knew I was just as loved by them as he was.
I miss my family. Both blood and not. One thing about growing up with the Blind Rebels is that even the members who aren’t related may as well be considered family. I know that if I called Uncle Mav, he’d be there for me no matter what. Ironically, I am related to the rest of the members since my dad is the twin brother of Callum, the guitarist, and my biological mother is Sammy’s sister.