“Good morning, Graycie,” Gianna chirps and does a cute little wave which has the tremulous smile on my face turning into a real one. “You’ve come in at a good time,” she informs me, “we’re between rushes at the moment. What can I get you?”
“I’d love to try the iced rose cardamom latte you added to the spring menu,” I order while eyeing the chalk board mounted on the wall.
I’ve been wondering what she’s been cooking up in the back since certain drinks shift with the season. Everything shebrought out for Graham to try smelled delicious and I wanted to ask so many questions. But I knew she’d only wink at me and leave it at that.
I learned my lesson when they were coming up with their winter menu. I’m kind of sorry to see it go, but if next year’s is just as good then I can’t wait to see what she comes up with.
My thought makes me pause because it means I’m planning on being around next year. Which is strange when I figured I would keep running.
I had no idea what I would find when I came to Dogwood Ridge. It felt like it was calling to me for some reason. And it is far enough away from a major city to make it feel like I can blend in.
Which I have.
Catching the eye of a biker club VP is not blending in.
Before I can mentally berate myself for thinking about said biker again, two things happen at once—Gianna delivers my drink with an excited and expectant look on her face and Opal struts into Uncommon Grounds.
The moment she sees me, she lights up. But there’s a calculation in her gaze, again, which has me bracing for whatever idea she’s currently campaigning for.
I can’t imagine being her parents growing up. It wouldn’t surprise me if she created presentations, along with slides, to win just about any argument or get any ask.
And now that energy is pointed at me.
Ignoring her for the moment, I take a sip of my drink, and my eyes slide closed as I savor it and take another sip immediately. I make a humming sound which is pure contentment.
“It’s delicious,” I tell Gianna happily.
“Oh,” Opal gushes when she gets to the counter, “whatever that is, I want it.”
“You got it,” Gianna breezes away and Opal pulls me over to a small two-top table.
Moments later Gianna appears with Opal’s drink who hands her a bill and throws in a stern look. Otherwise, Gianna would try and refuse a tip or anything that’s not the price of the drink she just sold. And she undersells those drinks in the first place.
“You let me know when you want another,” Gianna nods toward the drink and gives the same look right back. I roll my eyes because this kind of thing happens all the time. The town tries to pay them their worth, but they love this town and want to help take care of us. “You too, Graycie,” she throws over her shoulder.
The moment she’s gone, Opal leans toward me with a big grin on her face. I cover the grimace on my face by taking another drink of my latte.
“We’re having a girl’s night,” Opal tells me as if it’s already decided.
“No.”
“Come on,” she flops back slightly in her chair, holding out the words with a powerful pout on her face.
But I’m immune to her pouting.
“The family day at the clubhouse was enough for me,” I tell her and look into her eyes.
She won’t be able to see all the shadows there, but I need her to understand I’m putting my foot down. I need baby steps and going out somewhere isn’t in the cards for me right now, especially if there are men I don’t know and alcohol. I’m not ready.
“Okay,” Opal reaches over and gives my hand a squeeze, her voice filled with understanding instead of judgment, “I hear you. Maybe we plan a night in, then? A movie marathon with a ton of junk food sounds like my kind of night.”
My shoulders drop and a little more of the echoes from my nightmare fade away. Not all of it, but enough where I can take a deeper breath.
The roar of motorcycles somewhere in town has me looking out the window, my eyes scanning what I can see while sitting up straighter. But I don’t see anything. It’s a challenge to keep the disappointment off my face.
When I look back at Opal, her smile is far too knowing for my liking.
“Who were you hoping to see?” There’s a tease in her question, but it’s not malicious.