Page 73 of Coffee Shop Girl
“And?”
“And?” I repeated, laughing. “Money isn’t the only measure of a good life.”
“No, but it sure helps.”
Debating over whether I should be totally honest or not, I let out a long breath. “Yes, I make a lot of money and I have sound financial investments right now. But I’ve never dreaded going to work more. Wished the next day wouldn’t just be a repeat of the previous one. TheGroundhog Dayeffect of working in corporate is killing my brain cells.”
I forced a smile for some levity, but her expression remained as serious as I’d ever seen it.
“And moving around, saving people? That will help you feel better?”
“Freer, I think.”
“But what if it doesn’t?”
“Then I have new information, and I make a new plan.”
She nodded once and smiled, but there was a distance to it. I quelled a rush of uncertainty. Something I’d said didn’t sit well with her yet again, that much was clear. But I had no way of knowing what it was without asking. And that would obliterate this beautiful back-and-forth.
And imply that I cared enough to fix it, or stay.
Enough of that deep dive. Time to turn this back around to her.
“The big question here,” I said as I shoved away the almost-empty pizza box. “Is what kind of movie you want to watch.”
I tilted my head toward the couch. She slid her hand in mine without hesitation. My palm engulfed hers as I tugged her into the other room. Grandpa’s old couch didn’t look like much, but it was still the most comfortable couch I’d ever sat on. Plus, the cushions were weak in the middle, guaranteeing she’d sink closer to me.
“I rented four movies.” I sat on the couch and pulled her next to me. “On the off chance you liked zombies, romance, football, or thrillers.”
“All in the same movie?”
“No! Different ones. But that would be an awesome movie.”
She grinned ruefully, but I could see the fatigue in her eyes. Just in case, I reached behind us, grabbing a blanket from a basket by the couch.
“And if I tell you I prefer romance?” she asked.
“We’re all over it. I can deal with romance. Mallory used to have them playing in the background when she was stressed at work. Something about them calmed her down.”
Bethany paused and pulled her knees to her chest. “What if I fall asleep ten minutes in?”
That is my ultimate plan.
“I fully anticipate you will,” I said, laughing.
She smiled back wearily. “You choose, because I’ll probably conk out.”
“Zombies it is.”
“Great,” she muttered, “now I’m going to have nightmares.”
Also in my plans.
“Nah.” I grabbed the remote. “I’ll keep you safe.”
A wrinkle appeared in her forehead, then smoothed out. Without another word, she snuggled closer into my side. I draped the heavy quilt over both of us, and a little sigh escaped her as she burrowed in. My arm dropped naturally around her shoulders, pulling her close.
A cool mountain breeze whispered into the room as the movie began. Her warmth and the sweet scent of lavender melted me. I played with a lock of hair that spilled across her back, fascinated by the silky texture.
