Page 9 of Everything I Need

“Oh you know, same old, same old around here, except getting to see your beautiful face.” She gushes from behind the register.

“Thanks Mrs. Smith, I’ve missed being home. Looking forward to sticking around for a while," I wink.

I say this to her knowing exactly what she is looking for. She’s nosy, but also the sweetest.

I walk down the aisles collecting everything I need for Mom. When I walk up to the register Mrs. Smith looks like she is about to burst with questions for me.

"So Scarlett, what will you be doing here for work? Are you working - oh, what do they call it? Remotely?" She asks.

I chuckle, "Yes, it is remotely. No, I am not. I actually am in the process of making some big plans."

She looks like she wants to ask more, but knows that if I didn't offer it, I probably won't answer it either. I have to give it to her. She sure knows how to fish for information while still being respectful.

We say our goodbyes after I pay for mom’s items and I head down the street to the diner.

Mom and her ‘fancy coffee drinks’,I laugh to myself.

I guess this is as close as we get to my coffee shop that I loved so much in Boston. Life sure will be different now.

But isn’t it what I always wanted? To come home and get out of the city life, I just thought I’d be doing it on my own terms and timeline, maybe with a plan to open my own firm to work with the local small businesses. I definitely didn’t see myself moving home with no job, and living at home with my mother.

As soon as I step in the diner, I instantly regret agreeing to get mom her coffee. There at the first stool next to the register is Dr. Preston West. Of course. Maybe thinking about him so much since the other day in the field has manifested him into my life today. I should probably get that under control. I don’t need to manifest complications even if they look like Preston West.

“Hey Darlene, can I get one iced white chocolate caramel?” Feeling that familiar pull, I look over at Preston to see him staring back. “Actually, make that two.” I will definitely need the extra caffeine and sugar today.

“Sure thing, sweetie. It’ll just be a few minutes.” Darlene rushes off to the back with an armful of plates from the breakfast crowd.

I nod and keep Preston in my peripheral vision. I can see he’s having a conversation on the phone that he doesn’t seem to be enjoying. I inch closer so I can eavesdrop, and maybe catch that smell of his cologne that just smells like a man should, woodsy and clean soap. It is intoxicating and still my favorite smell.

“Listen, I don’t want the whole package you're offering. I just need –”

“No, I understand, but is there a smaller package? I only need help with marketing and a lesson in social media. I’m only a small town practice I can’t–“

“You’re right. Maybe this isn’t a good fit for me.”

He hangs up and puts his phone down harder than he should. He drops his head into his hands, and I feel a little guilty for spying. Just a little.

Then it hits me, he needs help, help that I’m more than capable of offering. I need something to do, and maybe freelancing this one job is the way to get my name known among other small businesses.

But do I want to spend all that time with him? Seeing him here now, so close, hearing his voice, it’s making that pull on my heart strong again. Being close to him means that I remember everything good about us, it's the reason I would never return any of his messages, or answer the door when he came to the apartment. I didn't want to hear the rejection from him, and I didn't want to forgive him for kissing her, because I knew I would have if I was near him. I love him against my will, against my better judgment, even after the hurt he caused.

Beyond the fact that I couldn’t stop the butterflies in my stomach whenever I saw him, I remember our time together—how he always used to help me with studying, even if it was just sitting with me in the library. He would help anyone really; he was so generous even in college. Seeing him at the charity events over the years only reinforced that he’s still that way.

I was structured and rigid, while he was more spontaneous, always surprising me. He was truly the yin to my yang, and that made our love grow. Apparently not for him though. I haven’t seen Elizabeth at any events, but I have always had a sick curiosity about what happened to them. However, that isn’t what this is about. It’s been years and I need a job, and if I keep in mind how things ended between us, I could keep him at a distance. Maybe.

“Excuse me, Preston.” I say quietly, stepping toward him.

He jumps in his seat, clearly not expecting me to speak to him. “Oh, uh, Scarlett, how are you doing?”

“I know this is a little rude, and we didn’t get off to the best start last night, but I work for a business consulting firm, or used to, I guess.” Fumbling on my words, I continue what it is I’m trying to say, “I could help you. I mean with marketing and social media. I recently left my job in Boston and would be happy to do some freelance work for you. We could work out a price and package that you feel comfortable with. A la carte style, since I really haven’t thought about packages yet, seeing what you need would help me in return.”

“Really? You would work with me?” The look of shock on his face leaves me uneasy. Maybe I shouldn’t have offered. I can’t tell if he’s happy I offered to work with him, or if he’s trying to figure out a secret motive of mine. I certainly shocked myself, but I need to do something other than get my mom coffee every day.

“Yeah, I mean I kind of just have an idea of working with small businesses and was in the process of trying to figure out how I could start my own business, almost seems like fate I came in today.” I give a small smile, showing how nervous I am about this. Or how unsure I am of myself around him.

His lips turned up in a half smile. “Well, Scarlett, I guess I’m surprised, I thought you’d rather see me fail than help me succeed.” His chuckle let me know he was joking, and I wondered if he really meant it as a joke, or if he was half serious.

“I mean, personally maybe, but professionally I don’t think I could ignore my duty to help a struggling business.” I give him a half smile so he thinks I’m joking about the personally part, when it’s just a little bit true. My anger only works when I'm not being infiltrated with his scent, and locked into place with his deep amber eyes staring, watching my every move.

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