Page 42 of Britta & the Beach Boy
Annie nods slowly. “No one will take care of Keesha like I will. I know better than anyone what she needs.”
“We felt the same about Mom, too. We didn’t want to put her in a nursing home. That’s not the best decision for every family, but for us it worked, but it wasn’t easy. None of us could have done it alone and still run our own businesses.” I point to the espresso machine. “Can I make you a coffee?”
Annie tilts her head in a yes. “I’ve had a big chain make an offer to buyAnnie’s.”
It’s my turn to be surprised. “Would you take it?”
“I don’t want to, but if it comes down to choosing where I’m needed most, the answer will always be Keesha.” Her mouth twists with the impossible choice she’s already considering.
“I’m here for whatever you need, Annie. At least for another week and a half.” Last night, when I agreed to stay as long asStella does, ten days seemed like a long time. Now it seems too short.
“Like I’ve said, you are a godsend.” Annie reties her multi-colored apron over her caftan—a rich purple today—then walks to the door and flips over the closed sign. “Time to open.”
Over the next six days, I’m with Annie every time she flips that sign and says those same words. And I’m still there when she leaves for the day to take care of Keesha and the afternoon shift manager shows up. I help through the lunch rush, then head back to the apartment between two and three.
I’m always exhausted when I get there, but Stella and I find something different to do every day. Walk a new beach looking for shells and sea glass. Try a food we’ve never eaten before. Shop cute boutiques along PCH.
The only thing that doesn’t change is how much I enjoy the sunshine and the soothingshushof the ocean.
The more time I spend atAnnie’s,the more responsibility Annie gives me; leaving me in charge while she runs to the rehab center to check on Keesha; trusting me to balance the books; and even asking me to write the schedule for the following week. It’s all stuff I’ve done thousands of times atBritta’s, and the familiarity of the tasks eases some of the longing I feel for my coffee shop.Annie’sfeels like a little piece of home.
Today, Annie left me completely in charge while she met with her daughter’s doctor to talk about moving her to a rehab center. I was so happy to help. Like, happier than I’ve been in a really long time.
And I really enjoy working with Mitzi and Diva, but I also like the other baristas who work there. Manny, who’s putting himself through college; Carla, who lost her home when she couldn’t pay her hospital bills after getting hit by an uninsured driver; and Sergio who’s learning all the ropes so he can open his own coffee shop in El Salvador once he has enough money to return home.
At the end of the shift, Annie comes back to the shop and sits at a table doing some paperwork, but I feel her observing me. When I hang up my apron to leave, she catches me.
“Can we talk in the office?” she asks, and I follow her to the tiny room at the back of the shop that barely has space for a desk and chair, let alone the stacks of papers on both.
Annie glances around like she’s just realized there’s nowhere for us to sit, then shrugs and leans against the desk.
“I’m just going to come out with it. I need to sell so I can take care of Keesha, and I could really use your help until then, if you can stay longer. Unless…” She catches my eye and doesn’t let it go.
“What?”
“I’d rather you boughtAnnie’sthan some chain that will ruin everything I’ve built.” Her eyes burrow into me, unearthing the dream I’ve had to start a business of my own. The dream I set aside to runBritta’s.
“I’m not sure if you’re in a position to buy,” Annie continues. “Or if you’ve even thought of staying in LA for good, but if you’re interested, I’d sell to you before anyone else.”
“BuyAnnie’s?” Even after our conversation the other day, I’d never thought about buyingAnnie’s.
Her chin plunges up and down. “More than just the business. I own this property too. I think you’re the person who could do right by my baby, so I’ll sell everything to you for less than what the chain is offering. Are you interested?”
I stare at Annie. I should say no.
I don’t.
Chapter sixteen
Dex
There are perks to being a world champion that go beyond the title and a cool trophy. Within a day of my win, major companies have reached out to Marta with opportunities for me to promote their watches, energy drinks, beer, SUVs, and even skin care products. She’s brokering so many deals for me that I’m nearly ready to forgive her marriage proposal blunder.
Even better, Rip Tide isveryhappy with me, and they want me to be happy withthem. They have heaps of reasons for wanting me to stay with them once my contract expires. And all those reasons have dollar signs in front of them, which is an enormous relief. I’ve got the right people who will make sure the money Iearn right now turns into enough money to set me up for life, no matter what happens.
The day after the finals, the Rip Tide execs offer to let my family and me, plus Archie—who’s family too—stay at their beach house for a week. There is only one answer to their offer, and we graciously accept. We spend a lot of time surfing, just for fun. It’s been ages since my family has done that together, and I love seeing how much Jordy has progressed. When Dad was my coach and manager, surfing together meant training. It meant not letting him or me down.
This is better.
