Page 22 of Daily Grind
Yeah, he knew that. But with a short staff, what else was he supposed to do? He didn’t reply because he’d only come off as a defensive jerk. If Miranda saw a problem, then there was one.
If only she could work full- or even part-time. He’d make her a manager in a heartbeat. But what his employees needed came first. Except he’d been fuckingthatup royally.
Again the door clattered and a blast of chilled air whipped in.
“Wow!” The woman at the door paused to push it closed faster. “It’s wicked out there.”
He jumped at the voice. Anita, his most recent ex. She had quite the smile on her face, despite the weather. Thankfully, she left her umbrella in the little can by the door.
“Hey, Bri! You don’t usually work this shift. What happened to the other guy?” She strode up to the counter, her dark curls swinging against her shoulders.
He couldn’t even be mad. Never could with her. “He didn’t work out.”
“Ah, shit. Sorry, kiddo.” Honest compassion there.
“You know how it goes,” he said, then paused. “Probably better than most people.”
Her gaze fell to her hands on the counter. “Yeah.”
Oh. His heart sank straight to the floor when he followed her gaze, and there was the third thing, the big shiny rock on her hand. It had been months andmonthssince they’d broken up. Still, it never failed to hit him in the gut when one of his ex-girlfriends got engaged.
He was the harbinger of happiness, but never for himself. “Hey,” he said and he knew his voice was a mess, “Congratulations.”
She was smiling again when he met her eyes, but there was pain and compassion there, too. “Thanks. Happened last week. He’s a good guy.”
“I’m sure he is, if he caught your eye.” Because Anita? Beautiful woman. Good heart. Way smarter than he was and utterly hot in bed. His parents had adored her and hers had loved him. They’d worked so well in the beginning, but then it had fallen to pieces and they’d drifted apart.
Brian was standing in the main reason they were no longer together. He hadn’t been able to let go of the shop and his lack of time had driven a wedge between them.
His fault, that. God only knew why Rob wanted to date him and why Brian had said yes.This is not good.
She stared at him the way she used to, back when he’d come to her, exhausted and tell her he didn’t want to talk even though he desperately did. “Are you okay, Bri?”
He shrugged. “It’s—been a little rough today.”
“I can tell.”
“You always could.” He huffed a laugh. “What can I get you?”
She settled on a cinnamon-chocolate latte to go, one of his specials. “Something that warms the heart.”
The process of making it was bittersweet and strange, and he didn’t realizewhyuntil he reached for the whipped cream. He stared at the canister for a moment and memories of Rob’s smile, his dimples, and the sweet taste of his kiss flooded back.
Not everything had been so terrible lately.
He held up the can. “Do you want?”
“Nah. No good with the lid. Just a dusting of those chocolate flakes you have back there.”
Good. He’d rather share the whipped cream with Rob. When finished, he brought the drink over. “You know, I really am happy for you.”
“I know. And someday, I’m going to be happy foryou.” She reached to pay but he waved her off. She only rolled her eyes and slapped down a five. “Take my money, Keppler.”
He did and gave her change, which she tried to dump in the tip jar and he mock blocked her. They were both laughing by the end, much like old times. She wiped her eyes, and her humor slipped away. “Don’t let this place eat you alive.” She reached over and gave his hand a squeeze. “Please.”
“I won’t.”
Her smile was the same one she’d always had when he lied. “I’ll see you, kiddo.” She headed to the door.
