Page 50 of The Interns

“True. I’ll at least donate to your campaign and put up a yard sign for you.”

“You mean tape it to the window of your fancy condo in whatever big city you end up in?”

“Something like that, yeah.” She’d always be in his corner no matter how far away she was.

His mood seemed to lighten as they walked along hand in hand, her taking in the new sites, and him proudly showing them off. She tugged on his arm and stopped in front of the beautifully designed window display at Jo’s on Main, a boutique with assorted gifts like jewelry and stationery.

“That’s gorgeous,” she said pointing at a stained-glass sun catcher hanging in the window. “Would your mom like something like that?”

He hemmed as he looked at the item then glanced past it into the store. “I don’t know.”

“We should go in and check it out. There’s bound to be something in there.” She stepped toward the door only to be slowed by a hand on her shoulder.

“Not this place,” he said.

Feeling a bit confused, she looked through the glass pane of the door to see a slender auburn-haired woman helping two customers at the jewelry counter, and then it clicked.

“You know Jo?” she asked with a smirk.

“Yeah,” he answered simply.

“Got it. We’ll keep looking then.”

Once they reached the end of Main Street, they crossed the railroad tracks that ran through the edge of downtown and came upon what was once an old brick train depot, now painted white with deep green wood trim and a wooden placard that read Clayville Cafe in gold lettering over the double doors. He opened the door and ushered her in first with a hand to the small of her back, gentleman that he was, causing the bells attached to the knob to announce their arrival.

She walked into the space with its original hardwood floors and tables arranged around a large u-shaped bar that extended from the back wall. Above the bar, there were framed photos, some black and white and some color, of people she assumed were regulars who had patronized the establishment over the years. The exposed brick walls were lined with shelves that held an eclectic mix of knick-knacks that surely had a story. Unlike the chain restaurants that tried to recreate this aesthetic to capture some generic sense of nostalgia, this place was the real thing. So real, in fact, that the music in the bar may as well have come to a screeching halt upon her entrance the way the few patrons sitting around the bar and the pretty woman behind it turned to stare at the stranger who had just stepped foot into their restaurant.

“Welcome in, ma’am,” she called out with a wave. “How can I help you?”

Reed stepped beside Maya and gave a wave, and suddenly she changed her tune.

“Oh, hey y’all!” she greeted.

If the patrons were curious before, now they seemed even more so as she and Reed walked up to the bar.

“I brought a friend along to hang out with us,” he announced to the group. “This is Maya.”

Maya smiled at the two sets of couples who were clearly sizing her up. Willa smiled back, her eyes even wider now, as she leaned over to whisper in her husband’s ear. He nudged her side and stepped around the side of the bar with open arms.

“Hey, I know you!”

Maya smiled at his familiar face, relieved that it was at least one less first impression she’d have to ace. “It’s good to see you again, Dev,” she said as she gave him a quick hug. “You’ve got a beautiful space here.”

“Thanks. We’re glad you could make it out here,” he said. “This is my wife, Willa.”

“Welcome,” she said just as warmly. “Sorry about earlier. We only get regulars here, not too many new faces. We’re working on that, though!”

“No worries.”

Reed introduced her to Sara and Dustin, then pulled out the barstool for her. She slid in and he moved to stand behind her, one hand braced on the back of her chair and the other propped on the bar. His closeness made her feel a little more at ease on his home turf.

“Reed, I’ve got you.” Willa pulled out a glass and the bourbon she already had sitting on the bar for Dustin. “But how about you?”

“Just a water. Thanks,” Maya said.

“Same for me, actually,” Reed said.

Willa stopped mid-pour, looking like she couldn’t believe her ears. Maya stifled a laugh and turned to look at Reed herself.

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