Page 142 of Daily Grind
Sometimes, you had to take a chance.
Epilogue
Three months later
On a Saturday afternoon,at a table by the window in Grounds N’at, Brian studied a map on the laptop before him.
Rob leaned back in his chair. “I think it’ll be fine. We’ve been biking all summer, and the weather will be cooler.”
“I’m worried about it being too cool in the mountains.” The Great Allegheny Passage’s grade wasn’t more than 1 percent. The C&O Towpath had steeper parts, but they’d been riding the hills in Pittsburgh. Nothing either path tossed at them should be too hard. Still, in the mountains it was bound to get cold during the first week of October.
Rob caressed the back of Brian’s neck. “We’ve the lodging worked out. The bikes are in good shape. It’s going to be fine.”
He nibbled on his fingernail.
Rob slid his hand down to Brian’s shoulder. “Don’t make me rutabaga you in public.” Amusement in his voice.
Okay, maybe hewasbeing silly. “I’ve never done anything like this before.” A week’s worth of biking. A few days in DC to see some sites, then a train ride home. Exciting, but also terrifying.
It meant two weeks away from Grounds N’at. He took a breath. “I’ve never beenawaythis long.” Not since owning the shop.
Rob softened. “I know. That’ll be fine, too. Youknowit’ll be.”
He did. Between some hard work, hard choices, and Justin’s tough love—they’d set the shop back on track. The coffee he owed Sam? He was making more than enough to cover that now.
The shop was running better than ever.
They’d rejiggered the menu and the ordering and the scheduling. Added some theme evenings once a month. Justin suggested Brian start crafting beverages again, a special drink each month.
He’d completelyforgottenhow well those went over. Too stressed to see beyond the schedule and the books to find solutions.
Hell, Justin had even tracked down Ev, Dan, and Jan and brought them back in. They’d finished high school and they’d all stayed close to home. Ev had ended up at the University of Pittsburgh—and taken a job at the shop.
Zie and Lamont were on tonight, with Lamont training and closing. While Brian always thought he’d end up promoting Miranda, with her schedule, he couldn’t. Her grandmom was better, but still required a decent amount of care.
Lamont had taken on more and more responsibility and risen to every occasion. Brian really didn’t see any reasonnotto make him assistant manager. All the other baristas agreed. Including Miranda.
Perfect solution.
“All right. I’ll stop worrying.” He closed the laptop.
Rob caught his hand and kissed it. “No, you won’t. But don’t let it keep you from enjoying this.”
Life happened, whether he worried or not. He gave Rob’s hand a squeeze. “I’m sure you’ll help keep me in check.”
“You can count on it.” Rob’s smile was wicked, though his kiss was on the chaste side—a peck that was a promise of more when they weren’t in the shop.
The chimes on the door clanked against the frame, and brought a familiar face into Grounds N’at. Anita focused on the counter and her smile fell away. “Oh, damn it! He’s not working? He’s always working! The one time…”
Brian had to laugh, even if it contained the bitter sting of regret. Lots of lost hours with family and friends.
Rob patted his knee, as if he knew where Brian’s brain had turned. Maybe he did—they’d talked a bit about Anita and his breakup with her a few times. After a moment, Rob pulled his hand away.
Ev pointed at Brian. “He’s not working. But he’s over there.”
Anita swung around. “Wow. For a moment, I thought I was in some alternate universe.” She grinned and came over.
“Well, Iamoff, but I’m also in the middle of packing my apartment—and we needed table space to plan our trip and—” He gestured at the table.
