Page 12 of Love Bitters

“Don’t apologize,” she replies, waving it off. “I just wanted you to know so you didn’t think I was being rude by stepping in like that. Everything okay, though? I’ve noticed you’ve been a bit distracted this morning.”

I’m supposed to be checking my emotions at the door and leaving the personal stuff outside. After the fight with my mom this morning, it’s just been more difficult than usual.

“I got into an argument with my mom this morning,” spills out before I mean it to, then I’m stuck continuing. “Sometimes I wish she could see me for who I am and not who she wants me to be, you know?”

Hurt flashes over her face so fast I’m not even sure it’s there to begin with before she answers, “That’s perfectly understandable.”

Our branch being so slow during the week has made it easy to have lighter conversation over the last few weeks. Which is why my comment didn’t need an explanation as I said it. My pregnancy is still a secret, but she already knows I’m living at home and am ready to get the hell out.

Speaking of which, I announce, “I spoke with a family friend at lunch, by the way. Fingers crossed that I’ll be moving into a new apartment soon. I’ve got a meeting with her this afternoon to discuss it.”

Jolene reaches out a hand to grasp mine as she marvels, “That’s fantastic! All the good vibes are coming your way today. Make it happen, girl. I seriously don’t see how you’re holding up as well as you are. I’d...lose my mind.”

The way she says it is like an inside joke I should be understanding. I’m not given the chance to dwell on it, though, before she’s speaking again. “Seriously, good luck.”

“Thanks,” I reply easily. Pointing to her face down paperback, I ask, “So, what are you reading this week?”

She grins with excitement. “One of my favorite romance series of all times. Seven witch sisters all live in this little down on the coast. They all have different lives and such, but each book goes into their life while they fall in love. It’s kind of cheesy because real life just isn’t like that, but it still makes me happy to read them.”

“Have you ever been in love?” I ask before quickly apologizing. It’s really none of my business and I shouldn’t have asked.

Her shoulders shrug like she doesn’t mind. “I thought I was once, but it was all a scam. Love is only a word, and I’m a true believer in it existing only in the novels I read.”

Pressing my lips together, I end up giving her a tight-lipped smile. It’s not something that goes unnoticed either.

“Have you?” she wonders.

Making a fist, I pop up all five fingers in one motion.

With a surprised expression, she whistles under her breath, unknowingly about to be truly gobsmacked.

“At the same time,” I admit quietly.

Her small gasp is loud in the empty lobby, drawing Nancy’s eyes from where she’s on the phone at her desk in the corner.

“Did they know about each other?” Jolene asks, keeping her voice down now that our conversation has garnered a little unwanted attention.

Nodding with a small smile as I think of them, I tell her, “Yes, they do. We met by pure coincidence while on vacation. They’re all friends and share an apartment here in the city.”

Chuckling slightly, her eyes remain wide as saucers. “I’ve read a bunch of ménage books before, but they weren’t anything like that.”

“I don’t think anything compares to it,” I confess with a soft smile as I think of them.

“Did they get jealous of each other or things just get out of hand or something?” she asks meekly like the answer is obvious.

“Let’s just stick with the or something,” I tell her, not ready to divulge that much of the truth just yet.

We both smile at the newcomer who steps through the door, heading straight for Jolene. It gives me a few minutes to gather my thoughts for which I’m grateful.

The door has barely clicked shut before Jolene whips herself back toward me again. “Okay, I can kind of tell it’s a touchy subject, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t interested in getting more details at a later time.”

“No promises,” I tell her gently.

She grins anyway. “That’s fair.”

Jumping up from her stool, she lays her book at my elbow before heading off to the employee break room. My eyes track her form until it disappears through the door. Then turning to the novel, I give the cover a once over and flip it over to read the description on the back. Everything Jolene had said about it is outlined in the text, and it’s almost painful to admit it sounds like it’d be an amazing distraction. But on the other hand, it might just wreck me this close to having to let the guys go.

“It’s not going to bite, you know,” Jolene teases as she slides back onto her stool with another paperback in her hand.

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