Page 84 of The Promise Of You

From: Chloe

To: Justin

Subject: Follow up

Hey

Today was fun!

Cassandra was asking for names of the dish(es)… What do you think?

Anything else you need from me? Do we need another prep session?

Let me know…

PS My cell number is in my signature line.

Chloe

I enter her number in my phone, then hover my finger over it, wanting to call her. To hear her voice. To know how she’s doing.

No, we don’t need more prep. I took pictures of our notes in her notebook, I’ll place orders with my vendors on Monday.

We’re all set. Nothing more needed.

I do want to answer her, though. Engage her. Continue the conversation.

Maybe I should just stick to email for now.

“Two Heady Toppers and a Sip of Sunshine,” Haley announces. She wipes her forehead and assesses the crowd outside. “What’d I tell you? After the Fourth, it always picks up.”

I look out to the sidewalk where our tables are full. Inside is getting packed as well.

“How’s the restaurant doing?” I ask like I don’t care, while I pour her first two beers.

“They’re slammed too. Those cute little tables are working. Even Chloe is on the floor.”

And yet she finds time to email me… Something funny moves in my stomach.

“Being open on the Fourth was a good call,” I say like I don’t really care, when I’m bursting with pride at Chloe’s resourcefulness. A lot of locals attend the parade, and they got to see another side of the restaurant—an approachable side.

“Where were you earlier? It got a bit crazy here for a minute,” Haley asks.

“I had shit to do. For the fair.” I set the two beers on her tray and start on the third.

“Oh right. Why’d you have to do this on a Saturday?”

I shrug like I have no idea. Like this was never in my control. “Cass said so.”

“Cass?” Haley frowns, seeing straight through my bullshit. Cassandra is the opposite of a micromanager. She’s actually great at suggesting to people what the end result should be and nudging them to figure it out on their own.

I set her Heady Topper on her tray and grab a rag. “Beers are getting warm,” I growl at my sister.

She rolls her eyes, balances her tray, and leaves.

‘Even Chloe is on the floor.’

I want Chloe to be successful. Not so she can pay the rent.

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