Page 29 of Misfortune and Mr. Right

Less. Less is more. I subdue my smile into something lessGlad to see you, and moreNice day, isn’t it?

Olivia doesn’t smile back.

“I’m not following you,” I tell her. “I was here first.”

“I know. I saw. I didn’t think you were following me … this time.”

Nori looks between the two of us.

“Do you want the usual?” Nori asks Olivia.

Olivia smiles at Nori. It’s an easy smile, like the one she gave Rhett yesterday. It’s soft and sweet. I’ve never been the recipient of that smile. At this point, I doubt I ever will be.

My conversation with Gil inconveniently echoes through my mind. Yes. I did this. I rubbed my success in Olivia’s face. I competed with her at every turn. I bested her without a second thought. And for a time, it seemed like she was as into the competition as I was. I miscalculated.

“I don’t think you can call it the usual if I’ve only been coming here for a week,” Olivia tells Nori with a lightness in her tone.

Nori smiles back at Olivia like they’re old friends. “I know my customers. If you come here five days in a row and you order the same thing every time, I call it your usual.”

Olivia’s smile widens. “Okay, then. Give me the usual.”

Nori nods lightly, and says, “One wildflower coffee lemonade coming right up.”

“One what?” I ask Olivia before my mouth consults my brain.

She looks at me without answering. It’s not exactly a glare, but her eyes are narrowed.

“That drink sounds … confused,” I add.

Put a sock in it, Logan. Less is more. Less. Not more.

Olivia taps her card on the reader. “I’ll be over there, Nori. Just call my name when my drink is up.”

I should say something. Or do something.

Or maybe I should do and say nothing.

I don’t even know what to do. As usual.

I need to hire someone, the way Cyrano de Bergerac did. He had a big nose and he feared approaching Roxanne because of his looks. If only my trouble were a nose. Mine is my foot. I keep putting it in my mouth. Cyrano was in love with Roxanne. I don’t have that problem. I just want a truce with Olivia. I’m no quitter, though. I simply have to figure out what I’m doing wrong and fix it.

My drink order is up first. I grab it, stuffing a five-dollar bill in the tip jar.

Nori smiles. “Come back again, Logan.”

I take a sip and smile at Nori. Then I tip my cup to her. “I’ll be back for more of these.”

She returns my smile, and then she turns back to the spot where an employee is making the next order … Olivia’s order. A coffee with lemonade and flowers? Tell me that’s not weird. Why I had to give my input is beyond me.

I’m at work a few hours later when Charlie, one of our brand strategists, approaches me. He’s been very welcoming so far—unlike certain coworkers.

“So, how are you settling in?” he asks.

“At work, or back in Serendipity Springs in general?”

“All of the above?”

“Good. It’s nice to be home. Still adjusting, I guess.”

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