Page 39 of Royal Bosshole

“Well, I know you're really into singing karaoke with your friends, and we play like really unique music here. Since you’ve said that coffee shops are supposed to be friendly and homey, where people can come and feel relaxed, I thought we could have some sort of event that would portray that spirit.”

“Like what?” I took a bite of my sandwich.

“Well, I thought maybe a karaoke night could be cool. You know how coffee shops often do poetry nights or, you know, book readings or whatever, which we could also do. But since you really care about music, this would be an extension of you. We could have a karaoke night, and everyone gets a free sample of the latte. It could be like a biweekly thing or a monthly thing.” She shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal, but I could see the excitement on her face.

“Hey, that sounds like an awesome idea. I'm kind of annoyed and surprised I never thought of it before. I guess I'd just be worried that we wouldn't be able to get enough people. You know, we can't get people enough as it is, even with the secret recipe.”

“I thought about that too,” she said. “I've got a cousin who's really good at graphic design, and he could make us up a bunch of fliers and posters and things for the event, and then whenever our usual customers come in, we hand them out, and we also put them around town. They are our connection to the outside world. Of course, we’d put it up on our social media as well. I think people knowing that we were open after our usual hours could be a big draw. Since people work during the day usually. What do you think?”

I took another bite and thought for a few seconds. “I think it’s pretty great, Jen. Have you been thinking about this stuff for a while, and only now told me?”

“Oh no; it just came to me the other day when I heard you went out for karaoke. I hated telling you the bad news about the coffeeshop’s books, and I really wanted to find a way to bring in more money to keep this place afloat. I love it here.”

When Jen smiled, I reached across the table to grab her hand. My eyes welled with tears.

“Thank you for saying that, Jen. Sometimes I feel like the burden to keep my grandma’s place going is all on my shoulders, as in I’m the only one who cares about it. But it’s so good to know you’re here with me, and that you care about its future. I think you should do whatever you like, but the idea of a karaoke night sounds awesome. My friends would be so into it, and we know a few other people who love karaoke just as much as us.”

I thought of our rivals, and instead of feeling heavy with jealousy when I thought about Sadie, I felt only happiness. They would love it.

“That’s great! So, I’m going to call up my cousin and get started on my ideas for what the posters will look like. Any dates in mind? I know we’ll have to be open later than usual, but—”

I put up a hand. “It’s perfect. A great idea. And if this is the way to bring in more revenue and save this place, then who cares if we have to stay open later? And using our unique selling point to bring people in is amazing. So, any Saturday or Friday night? How much time do you think you’ll need to prepare?”

“I will handle everything!” Jen jumped up, looking so excited. She pulled out her phone and started texting. “Maybe about two weeks, but I’ll let you know!”

“Okay, sounds good.” I laughed as she shrieked with excitement and rushed off to call her cousin.

I sat for a few seconds, deep in thought. Jen’s excitement about saving the shop had really saved my day. I had been so sunk in my embarrassment and whatever weirdness was going on with James that I forgot to think about the tiny, good things. But there they were, right in front of me.

My coffeeshop is going to have a karaoke night!

The bell on the door dinged, and with a smile, I looked up. My smile fell when I saw that it was Cassie’s mother, Sandy, walking through the door. When her eyes spotted me, she grinned and sauntered right toward me.

What was that about the tiny, good things? I can’t remember anymore.

CHAPTER16

LILY

“It’s Lily, right?”Sandy asked when she got to my table.

“Uh, yeah. You’re Cassie’s mom, yeah?”

“Yes. I mentioned it that night we met at James’s office.” She touched a hand to the back of the chair next to me.

I noticed that her nails were hot pink and perfectly manicured. “May I sit?”

“Oh, sure.”

But something made me feel weird about this whole thing. Did she somehow find out that James and I had slept together? Was she coming to scold me and start a catfight over him? Because I was so not going to get involved with that.

When she sat down, she smiled at me again and didn’t say anything.

“Do you want something to drink?”

“Oh yes, please. I hear you make a mean pumpkin-spice latte.”

“Yeah, we do.”

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