I get to work, but Luke watches me with a strange expression on his face. He’s not typically awkward, but he’s drifting close to that line now.
“What?” I ask.
He shakes his head, amusement tugging at his mouth. “Nothing. Just hate to take my turn after she raked you through the coals.”
“Your turn for what?”
He straightens his shoulders and clears his throat. Standing there in his neat, brown button-down, he looks like he’s ready to recite the Boy Scout oath and offer to help me cross the street.
“I’ve been sent by my friends at the Sunshine Small Business Society.”
The air groans out of me as I pour his stupid latte. “A sneak attack from you?”
“I wouldn’t call it sneaking.”
“Can people not just do their jobs in peace?” As if service with a smile wasn’t enough. Maybe service with a frown in my case, but that should be plenty. I shouldn’t have to network and go to meetings and socialize in my free time, too.
Luke is undaunted. “It fosters community among Sunshine’s small businesses.”
My sigh shakes the container of straws on the counter. “Not the spiel.”
“It builds a sense of camaraderie?—”
I hold up a hand. “I’ll stop you right there.”
His stern look probably gets Jovie quaking in her boots, but I’ve grown immune over the years. I’ve got stern looks of my own.
“I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but it’s not for me.”
He crosses his arms, flattening me with his unimpressed stare. “Building your business isn’t for you?”
I wish he didn’t sound so much like Rose right now.
“Stuffy groups aren’t for me.”
“It’s the formality that bothers you.” His voice is Sahara-dry. Probably because the Sunshine Small Business Society is one of the most lax organizations in town. Apart from maybe the cluster of old men who hang out in front of the hardware store and make snarky comments about people’s DIY projects.
“Fine. Community isn’t for me.”
Owning the coffee shop is already five steps beyond my capabilities, Harry’s “Do better” edict constantly reminding me of my failures. I’ve barely got my head above water as it is. Throwing networking meetings and community events into the mix can only make the struggle worse. Like tossing a dumbbell to a drowning man.
He stares at me for ten whole seconds before he starts laughing. “Community isn’t for you. Okay.”
I set his drink on the counter without meeting his eye. “Is that funny?”
“Kind of, yeah.” He drops his stiff Boy Scout routine. “I told them you wouldn’t be on board.”
Ignoring how he’s patiently waiting for me to engage with him, I wipe down the espresso machine. I don’t love the knee-jerk assumptions about me. Doesn’t matter that they’re right.
“Just so you know, they’re coming after Rose next.” He takes his drink and heads for the door. “What are the oddsshewants to join?”
So. Everyone in this town knows my weak spot now.
24
rose
It’samazing what hot water and zesty citrus body wash can do to boost my mood. I’m warm and clean, wearing a fresh pajama set, my hair braided down my back. The effort fully exhausted me, but I don’t smell like a locker room anymore. I almost feel like a person again instead of a clump of hair someone pulled out of a drain and set on fire.