Chapter Sixteen #2
“Mmm, that’s so delicious,” she says, licking her lips. “Don’t go tellin’ on me to Dr. Kill-Joy. He’s always going on about my blood sugar, but a woman my age can’t be bothered with such things. Life’s short, order the cold foam.”
A few of the surrounding customers who overhear her chuckle.
“You’re absolutely right, Ms. Dot.” I smile. “I may need to tell Callie to put that on one of our signs.”
Her eyes light up with excitement. “Really? You’d do that? I would love to leave a little piece of me in my favorite places before I leave this earth.”
“You plannin’ on goin’ somewhere, Ms. Dot?” Ainsley chimes in from behind the counter.
I look at Ms. Dot, who offers us a soft, knowing smile that the elderly have all somehow mastered.
She’s been coming in here almost every day for the past month since my birthday.
Each day she orders something different, determined to try everything, and grabs her pup’s whipped cream in a cup and two of my “Ellie’s Biscuits.
” Since I haven’t seen much of Ellie or of Levi in these past few weeks, a fact that sits heavily on my chest daily, I’m happy to be able to see the biscuits go somewhere.
“There isn’t a single day promised to any of us,” she says, then hands me payment for the biscuits separately from her check.
I’ve tried to tell her it’s not necessary, but she only threatens to pay me more, so I’ve stopped arguing.
After giving the pups belly rubs, I head back to the counter and help Ainsley with some of the new inventory.
I’m lost in thought, going through the motions while once again my mind drifts to Levi and Ellie.
I’ve decided that I’m angry with him. It took me a bit of time to get here, but this is where I’ve landed.
It takes a certain amount of planned determination to go through an entire month without once seeing your neighbor after months of sharing a whole routine.
The sheer audacity of the man is so mind-blowing that it makes me wonder how I ever thought he was anything more than an asshole.
“Hey, Pinky,” Billy’s voice calls from the counter to Rory.
“Playboy,” she hums. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Just here to pick up lunch.”
Rory raises a brow before her eyes slide to mine. I stand up and stride to the counter. Rory bites her lip to conceal her smirk as Billy literally flinches like I’m about to hit him.
“So what will it be today, Billy? Let’s see, you and tweedle-dee both enjoy your regular ham and cheese paninis, but no pesto for you and no tomato for Mark, the Chief is more of a full, hearty Turkey Club kind of guy, am I right?
Maria likes her combo, soup and salad...
” I put my finger to my chin and tap it.
“Am I forgetting anyone?” I challenge, and I swear he breaks out into a sweat.
He grabs the back of his neck. “Come on, Tris. Don’t make me go back there without the Captain’s order again.
He’s been a total nightmare this month. I don’t know what happened between you two, but he’s making us all pay for it.
Including himself. The guy is walking around as if someone kicked him in the. .. well, you know.”
“Maybe someone should,” Rory mutters from beside me.
Ainsley steps up to the counter and smiles at Billy, who instantly relaxes at the sight of her. “Sorry, Billy. Until your Captain mans up and comes in here himself, that’s the order. Take it or leave it.”
We all wait for Billy to accept his fate. He eventually does, pays, and walks out with his head down. Levi’s crew hasn’t come into the cafe once since that night, and so we girls have formed a solid pact. If Levi wants his food, he’s going to have to come and get it himself.
Another week goes by, and still, Billy and Mark take turns picking up the lunch order.
I’m surprised at this rate that they don’t go somewhere else, but I guess they’re determined to wear me down.
Tough luck. I might not be the Evil Ice Queen they all remember, but I sure as hell am not all sunshine and rainbows.
This is one standoff I’m not backing down from.
As we prepare for Labor Day weekend and for the wind-down of the summer tourists, the cafe gets even busier with customers bustling in and out, orders flying. Ainsley freshens up all the plants that hang from the walls, and I add our new sign right above Ms. Dot’s favorite table.
“It’s perfect,” she says, squeezing my hand.
To everyone’s great delight, I’ve finally learned how to work the cappuccino machine, and now it’s my favorite cup to make.
Every small success feels like a giant step in the right direction.
I’m smiling at one of our usual patrons from behind the register as they pay their bill when the door chimes.
As they walk away, I look toward the door, ready to greet the next guest and completely freeze instead as my stomach drops.
Rory catches my gaze and follows it toward the door, and I can see in my peripheral vision that Ainsley’s posture straightens.
“Who’s that?” Rory whispers.
“Hello, Princess,” my father says as he walks up to the counter, dressed in a freshly pressed fitted suit.
My mother follows beside him, her arm wrapped around and placed lightly on top of his. She looks made up and put together, not a single hair out of place. From her spot beside him, she takes in the cafe around her and looks down her nose at it and everyone she sees.
“Oh, Thomas, look at this place. She’s a waitress, for God’s sake. We must get her out of here as soon as possible,” my mother says in a hushed voice just loud enough to offend anyone within earshot.
My jaw grinds as anger shoots through me at her words, pride for the Cozy Pines Cafe sneaking its way up and into my chest. This cafe may not belong to me, but it’s mine, and it’s been here for me in a way that neither of them has this year.
“Actually, Mother, I’m a barista,” I correct her with a fake and forced smile, months of untapped attitude rising to the surface. My heart rate spikes in my chest, and my posture stiffens.
My mother’s gaze sweeps over me and lands on Rory. I step in quickly, shielding her from a glare that, while punishing to others, has long since ceased to bother me.
I sigh and pick a piece of lint from my shirt in an effort to show that I’ve grown bored and tired of their judgments, despite the protective rage I feel swirling inside.
“I didn’t realize prison allowed field trips, Father.
And to think, you’ve decided to grace me with your presence. .. how fortunate am I.”
My mother bristles, like I knew she would, while my father takes my attitude in stride. “Now, Princess, let’s put the claws away. Your mother and I only wish to share with you the good news.”
I look behind them to where a line is forming, and look to Rory.
“Go,” she says, reassuring me.
“Fine, then share whatever news you have over here.” I point to a table and head over to it.
My mother sits down like she’s afraid she might catch something.
“Careful, Mother. In case you forgot, the DuPonce’s own this cafe, and I don’t think they’d take too kindly to your current assessment of it.”
That straightens her right out. As if the name of money attached to this place changes everything. “This place is very charming, the more that I take it in.”
I roll my eyes as her mannerisms change immediately, and she predictably changes her tune.
“What is this about?” I ask, getting straight to the point.
“Your father has come home.”
“Home?” I ask, my brows shooting down in confusion.
“I’ll be staying with your mother at her friend’s lake house until my trial, but after I’m proven innocent, we’ll regain everything that’s been so wrongfully taken from us. Including your apartment in the city and our houses, our Thorne Lake House especially.”
“How is this even possible?”
“Mr. Arias has paid my bail.” My father shrugs as though paying close to a million dollars in bail for someone is no big deal.
My eyes narrow as my suspicion rises. “Why would he do that?”
“After all the trouble this has caused our family, Tris? Honestly, how can you even ask that?” My mother huffs, spitting out the excuse my father probably hand-fed her. Anything to keep up with his innocent facade, and she’ll do anything to keep living in her perfect bubble.
“Mr. Arias knows how valuable I am to his company and hates to see an innocent man put through all this trouble. He’s only doing what’s right.” My father confirms my suspicion while adjusting his sleeves. Another tell that he’s mincing words.
Saying a greedy man is doing what’s right only means he’s looking out for himself. How so? I’m not sure. Nor do I know if I even care enough to find out.
“Right.” I smile too sweetly. “Is that all? I’m working.”
“We’ll be hosting a celebratory dinner party in your father’s honor before his trial. I’ll mail you the details.”
“We expect your attendance,” my father adds, and this time his eyes are sharp, making sure I understand this is not a request but an order.
An ice-cold chill runs down my back. “Certainly, where else would I be?”
I watch them leave from my seat, but it isn’t until they’re out of sight that I release a full breath and allow my shoulders to drop. Slowly, the sounds of the cafe begin to filter back in through my forced and steely composure.
“They seem pleasant,” Rory snorts.
When her hand lands on my shoulder, my head snaps to her a little too quickly, and she flinches.
“Sorry,” I say quickly, grabbing her hand and keeping it there, pulling the strength that she offers before standing and walking back to the counter with her.
“I’d ask if you’re okay, but that seems like a dumb question, so instead, I’ve gotta’ say, I’m not really a fan of them. If those are your parents, I can understand why you turned out the way you did.”
“Rory!” Ainsley squeals, covering her mouth with her hand, stuck somewhere between shock and amusement. Her gaze darts between Rory and me.
Rory looks at her like she’s pointing out the obvious with a shrug.
“I really was screwed from the beginning, wasn’t I?” I tease back and watch as Ainsley’s hand lowers in relief. “Honestly, it’s a miracle I’m not worse off.”
“Oh, honey, you were. Those first few weeks were like tryin’ to tame a buckin’ bronco. Had I not grown up around so many stubborn mares, I may have thrown in my reins.”
“Did she just compare me to a horse?” I ask Rory, dumbfounded.
Rory laughs so hard that tears well up in her eyes. “Ainsley, where are you even from?”
Ainsley smirks, but I notice how her eyes drop before she offers an answer. “South of here and north of nowhere.”
I’m about to ask her where exactly that is when the door chimes with another customer. This time, it’s Chief Garrett Mason who walks in.
“Shit!” Rory bee-lines to the back, once again avoiding the chief and making alarm bells go off.
“I’ll take his order, but you let her know she has some explaining to do,” I say over my shoulder to Ainsley as I prepare for whatever argument it is that Chief has come armed with.
“Well, hello there, Chief. What can I get for you and the boys today?” I ask, painting on another super smile.
Honestly, this happy customer service with a smile thing makes my face hurt sometimes.
He looks me over in an assessing way as I flutter my lashes. Instead of scolding me for our service these last few weeks, like I fully expect him to do, he lets out a deep laugh. My face breaks character, and I frown.
“So, you’re the one who has been causing all this ruckus at my fire station.” It’s not a question. He laughs some more, so I wait until he’s done.
“Will you be having the usual order today, Chief?” I raise my brow, skeptical of where he’s going with this.
“Absolutely, ring me up for everyone’s order except Captain King’s, please.” He extends his hand and passes me his credit card.
I take it from his hand slowly, ringing in the order, but my confusion over his good humor about this wins out, and before handing him back the card, I need to know.
“You’re not angry about all of this?”
“Angry that someone has my crew runnin’ scared and sharing their shortened orders amongst themselves each shift?
” He laughs, bringing his hand to his stomach.
“Except for Maria, who rightfully refuses to play along, I’ve watched those guys split up their sandwiches like they’re middle schoolers being bullied on the playground every shift for a month, and I have to say, it’s the most entertaining thing I’ve seen in a long time. ”
The image he paints brings a small smile of satisfaction to my face.
“I don’t know what he did to piss you off, Tris, but my guess is he’s being stubborn, and you have every right to let him know it.
The Captain needs a lesson or two in how to get along with others, and though this month definitely hasn’t made him anyone’s favorite person to be around, I wanted you to know, you’re wearin’ him down. ”
Ainsley brings me their order, and I hand him the bag.
“Thanks for letting me know, Chief.” I smile back at him as he takes the bag and nods his head.
As he’s about to turn away, his eyes dart past my shoulder, and he does a double-take. His brows come down as he narrows his gaze like he’s searching for something, or someone. A look of hope flashes quickly behind his eyes before he closes them and shakes his head clear of it, opening them again.
“Everything alright, Chief Mason?” I follow his gaze to the door of the back room.
“Yeah,” he says, clearing his throat. “Thought I saw someone.”
“Right,” I drawl, waving goodbye and barely waiting until he’s gone before I head to the back.
Just as I expect, Rory’s standing on the other side of the door, back flat against the wall like she’s playing a game of hide and seek with her eyes closed shut.
“Oh, yeah.” I cross my arms as my shoulders bounce with laughter, and I shake my head.
Ainsley follows behind me. “I think it’s ‘bout time you explain yourself, lil’ lady.”
Rory peeks one eye open and ping-pongs it between the two of us. “Do I have to?”
“Yes!” We both say simultaneously, ready for whatever little secret Rory has been keeping to herself all these months.