Page 96 of Coffee Shop Girl
“So, what does this mean?” she asked. “What’s next for you if not working for us at Epsilon?”
The change of subject was a lifeline, and I grasped for it. “I’m starting my own company. Correction ... have started.”
“Competing?”
I snorted. “Of course not. I’ll travel around, find failing brick-and-mortar stores, and resurrect them. Bring money back to the little people. Create success.”
“Blah, blah, blah.”
“Hey, don’t be a hater.”
“I’m not being hard on your idea. Sounds great, to be honest. But you sound as excited as a rock.”
My mind flittered back to Bethany. If she wasn’t part of my day, if I didn’t have her to look forward to, then that adequately described my excitement about the job.
“Yeah. That pretty much covers it.”
“You’re playing small, Mav.”
“I’m trying to figure it out.”
“You’re running. You and your proud minimalism and phobia of commitment. You’re running like a scared toddler, that’s what. And I know what that looks like, because Jameson has been crashing at our place with sweet little Sarah, and that thing is full of fire.”
A sudden grin found its way onto my face. My spitfire niece, Sarah, had just earned her spot of honor on my left arm right before I came. She was fourteen months old, andfull of firewas a perfect description. My brother Jameson had earned every second of it after his wild teenage years.
“I’m not running,” I mumbled.
“That alone means you are, and that also means it’s probably a woman. And one who actually stands a chance at meaning something to you. Are you already in love with her?”
I rolled my eyes. How was she always right? No wonder Bethany was annoyed with me so much. Itwasannoying.
“That’s ... oddly correct,” I muttered.
“Don’t act like this is my first rodeo. I can hear it in your voice. That bad, huh?”
“I messed it up pretty good this time.”
“Get her back. Then bring her home so I can meet her already. Your mom will be ... so happy. She worries about you.”
“You’d tolerate her.”
“Sure. Let her prove herself to me first, all right? In the meantime, get it together. Figure out what youreallywant. And remember, you’re no failure, Mav. I would never have tolerated you otherwise.”
“Thanks,” I said wryly.
“Talk soon.”
She clicked off without another word. I sat in my car until full darkness descended, stewing over a lifetime of incorrect thinking.
Somehow, this had gone oddly off course. For the first time, I realized that leaving Bethany had been the right thing to do. I hadn’t been ready for her.
I had some demons of my own to chase. And they started back in California.
Time to confront my mom and see that letter.
33
Bethany
