Page 20 of Doctor Neighbor

She groans dramatically and slides off her chair. I watch her shuffle to the front door, where her new light-up sneakers wait.

"Can you put them on yourself?" I ask, knowing full well she can.

"No," she pouts.

I kneel down and help her, fighting the urge to scoop her up and keep her home with me. But this is good for her. And for me. I think.

"All done. Let's go, baby."

Finally, we are off. As we step out into the hallway, my keys jingle in my hand, and I freeze. A familiar scent wafts through the air, and my heart skips a beat. It can't be.

Buster.

The crisp, clean smell of his cologne hits me like a punch to the gut. I shake my head, trying to clear it. This is ridiculous. He's not here. It's just my imagination playing tricks on me.

I will never forget that smell. I noticed it when he used to come into the cafe before. My knees would feel weak when he smiled at me and made a cheesy comment.

And then his scent would remain there long after he was gone. Fresh and woodsy at the same time.

I take a deep breath and pull Madeline toward the elevator, but the scent follows us. It's as if Buster just passed through here moments ago.

My mind races, replaying our recent encounters. The theme park, the sidewalk, the bar. After years of nothing, he's suddenly everywhere.

The elevator dings and I step inside, grateful for the change of air. But even here, I can't shake the memory of him. His charming smile, those piercing eyes, the way he...

No. Stop it, Cole.

I press the lobby button harder than necessary, willing the doors to close faster. This is absurd. I got over Buster years ago. One night, that's all it was. So why is he suddenly occupying so much space in my head?

The elevator descends, and I try to focus on my day ahead.

"Are you excited about your first day, love?"

"Mmm hmm," she answers, her hands clasped behind her back and her closed-mouth smile directed to me. I hold her small cotton bag with "Madeline" embroidered across the top.

The cafe, inventory, and staff schedules can all wait. Today is a big day—her first day of big girl school.

Focus. Anything but him. But it's no use. His face keeps popping into my mind, unbidden and unwelcome.

Half expecting to see him standing there, I step out into the lobby. But it's empty, save for Mrs. Hendricks sitting in the lobby reading the newspaper, as she does every morning. I nod at her and hurry outside, gulping in the fresh morning air.

As we walk down the sidewalk, I can't help but wonder if this is some cosmic joke. After years of successfully avoiding him, he's seemingly around every corner, and now I'm smelling him when he isn't even there. The universe must be having a good laugh at my expense.

Brewed Awakening

22076 Main Street

1:24 pm

I glance at my watch as I step out of the cafe, the lunch rush finally dying down. My stomach churns with anxiety about the upcoming meeting with the health inspector. I've gone over the letter a hundred times, each violation feeling like a personal failure.

"You've got this, Cole," Nelson calls out as I leave. His confidence in me is touching, but it does little to calm my nerves.

The sidewalk is busy with the usual midday foot traffic. I clutch the file Nelson prepared to my chest like a shield. Inside is a detailed action plan addressing every single issue John Early pointed out in his letter. Nelson's thoroughness is a godsend, but I can't shake the feeling that it might not be enough.

As I walk, my mind races through worst-case scenarios. What if they shut us down? How will I support Maddie? What about my employees?

I shake my head, trying to dispel the negative thoughts. No, I can't let it come to that. Brewed Awakening is more than just a cafe. It's my dream, my livelihood, my second home.

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