Page 9 of Stay With Me

Elise

Thebellabovethedoor jingles, announcing a customer. Glancing at the time, I grimace. Quarter to seven. With only fifteen minutes to closing, my shop is pretty picked over. At least Jake didn’t show up today, maybe he will drop us getting back together.

Turning with a smile, it grows when I see Adeline. “Hey! Just finish work?”

“Yeah, we had a late intake and I stayed to help.” She steps aside, revealing Brynne. “I convinced Brynne to come get a treat, it was a rough one.”

I manage to contain my surprise when I see Brynne. Her auburn hair is pulled back in a ponytail, her tattooed arms covered by her leather jacket. Brynne tends to keep a low profile around town due to her family. Her brothers are in and out of jail. Her eldest brother is currently back in prison due to breach of parole. Her dad is an abusive jerk. And I’m pretty sure they have ongoing illegal activity on their run-down farm.

Despite living in town as soon as she could escape her family, I think she feels ashamed sharing the same DNA as them, typically keeping to herself. Aside from the shelter and grabbing necessities, she rarely ventures out.

“Hey, Brynne. It’s nice to see you.” I genuinely mean it. She’s a nice woman, a little rough around the edges, but her heart is warm.

She gives me a small smile in return. “Hi.” Her raspy voice takes me back to school, she would show up bruised and dirty. It took one boy to get his ass whooped by her for everyone to learn to steer clear and give Brynne as much space as possible. I never did though. It hurt too much seeing someone so mistreated.

“I don’t have much left, but I did save some things just in case.” While they sit down, I go to the back to grab the chocolate cannolis I made earlier. They are a test batch for the new menu items and I was going to bring them all home for Young Jae, but the recipe made way too many.

Bringing them out, I set them onto two of the hand-painted plates I picked up at the thrift store before delivering them to their table.

“Can I bring you some coffee too?”

“Oh wow! This looks amazing.” Adeline looks up at me. “New recipe?”

Tucking my chin down, I smile. “Yeah. I want to expand the menu. I just posted a position for an evening staffer who can cook too.”

“That’s incredible, good luck! These look amazing, and I’m always happy to be a test subject. I would love a latte please.” She glances at Brynne who is staring at the cannoli.

“I don’t think I’ve ever eaten anything so pretty before.” Her voice is soft. “I would love a hot chocolate. I remember how delicious yours is.”

She looks up at me, her green eyes shimmering with remembrance.

Smiling at her, I nod. “Coming right up.”

It makes me sad how much she has isolated herself. I’m glad Adeline thought to get her out. We should try to include her more in our activities. Brynne’s eyes carry the weight of loneliness that no one should feel.

After I make their drinks, I start to clean up, locking the doors when seven hits.

“Oh gosh, we should go.” Brynne starts to stand.

“No, please don’t. It’s nice to have company when I’m cleaning up. Besides, I live closer to you than Adeline does. I can drive you home,” I insist.

Adeline catches my gaze and nods.

The kitchen is already clean, so I go through my closing routine out front, chatting with them as I work.

“How is it going with Young Jae?” Adeline asks.

Brynne’s eyes widen and she glances away, but I’m pretty sure I catch her grinning.

“Good. I felt terrible this morning, I accidentally woke him up, and if I know anything about Young Jae, it’s that he doesn’t get out of bed a minute before seven, and that’s still early.” Giggling, I shrug. “He was a good sport about it. Though I won’t be surprised if he’s asleep when I get home.”

Adeline leans back in her chair. “You know, you are calling it home, but I think I only heard you call Jake’s place home maybe twice in the year I’ve known you.”

Avoiding her gaze, I clear the dishes from their table. “I didn’t realize.”

She bites back a grin, standing to stop me. “I’ve got these. Finish up in here.”

Brynne moves to help me lift chairs off the floor so I can sweep and mop. “It’s nice to see you smiling again like you used to.”

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