Page 44 of Feel It All

“I’ll take a just a black coffee and a decaf mocha frappe for Belley. I’d better wait to pay until she is done because I know I will have to buy some books.”

“Coming right up.” I whip up their drinks, and in that short amount of time, Annabelle brings four books in hand to Owen and is jumping up and down pleading for him to buy them all. Owen gives me a “see what you did” look and I just laugh.

“Okay, guys, here are your drinks. Annabelle, would you like me to ring up those books for you?” I wink at her, and she giggles. She knows she has got her uncle’s number.

I bag up her books and they take their drinks to go. “Thanks, Winry, I’ll see you this weekend.” Owen says.

“Can’t wait. Bye, Annabelle.” I say as they start their way out.

“Bye, Winry.” She hollers back as they walk out the door.

I go to wave but accidentally knock over our cup of pens. Thankfully the cup doesn’t break but I pick them up and when I stand back up there is a familiar blonde standing in front of me.

“Oh, hi. Sorry, I am a little clumsy. How can I help you?” I study her face. Where do I know her from?

“You’re Winry, right?” Her tone is bland and unimpressed.

“Um, yeah that’s me. I’m sorry, you look familiar; do I know you?”

She scoffs like I have offended her. “I’m Sara, we met at Bluebird’s about a month ago. I am Flynn’s new girlfriend.” She broadens her shoulder and turns up her nose. “I didn’t know you worked here.”

“Well, I own the place, so yeah, I guess you could say I work here. Is there something I can get for you?” I don’t really know how to speak to her. I in no way am intimidated by her; honestly, I feel sorry for her.

“Just for your little cop friend to leave Flynn alone.” Sara places her hands on the counter, leaning in. “I mean really, it’s a little pathetic.”

“He is just doing his job, and Graham is my boyfriend not my little friend.” It felt good to correct her.

“Oh, please, honey. He is a little out of your league don’t you think?” She looks at me like she feels bad for me, like I am delusional or something.

My patience is wearing thin. “Definitely an upgrade from Flynn, I would have to agree with you there. I mean, he doesn’t attack me and sling me across the room or anything.”

Sara seems taken aback for a moment by my words but then quickly snaps back. “Don’t be childish, that was a misunderstanding, and you know it.” Sara puts her hands on her hips in protest.

“A misunderstanding?” My mouth gapes open, my patience is now gone. “He broke into my apartment and gave me a concussion. That is a misunderstanding? Look, if you aren’t here to buy something, I think it is best you move on.” I nod toward to the door, tempted to tell her to not let it hit her on the way out.

“Oh, snappy little thing, aren’t you? I would suggest—”

“I would suggest you find somewhere else to get coffee,” Ivy comes up, cutting her off.

“I’m sorry, are you kicking me out?” Sara scoffs.

“Sure am. Your friends can stay or go, don’t matter to me, but like Flynn was told last night, you can’t stay here. Funny how couples act alike, isn’t it?” Ivy snaps.

Sara’s jaw drops, and she stares between us for a moment then stomps her foot turning to walk out the door, “Come on guys let’s go, this place sucks anyways.”

We watch them as the small group files out, I am sure we will get a couple fake bad reviews over this, but oh well. I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding and turn to Ivy.

“Thank you. That, that was…I don’t really know what that was.” I fidget with my hair and tuck it behind my ears. My mind starts to replay the night that Flynn broke into my house, the fear I felt when he trapped me up against the door and then threw me and pinned me down.

“Win, why don’t you take a break?” Ivy rubs my arm and I nod. A break, I need a break.

The little conversation put me in a serious funk. I am pretty much silent the rest of the day, my smiles are fake, and I am second guessing everything. I mean really, how could what happened be a misunderstanding? And Graham may be out of my league, but he likes me…right?

I start our end-of-day cleaning and lock up the front door as soon as 6 hits. I am so ready to be home, even though I know I will just be stewing in this mood. Thankfully Graham works tonight, so I can wallow in it, and it will be out of my system by this weekend.

“You all done up here?” Ivy asks, walking out of the kitchen.

“Yeah, just finished. You ready to go?” I grab my bag from under the counter.

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