“Manager…”
“Right.” Jacob frowned. He couldn’t ask Garret to work in the store. He was a manager. What was he thinking? What would he know how to do? “Are you able to at least take Serena home?”
“Yeah…I can probably do that.” Garret responded. “Tell her to pack up her things and I’ll meet her in the car.”
“But she’s asleep.” Jacob responded.
“So…maybe you should help her.”
“Can’t you-?” Jacob began, before seeing the befuddledexpression return to Garret’s face. “Right. You’re the manager.”
As Garret left Jacob did his best to make Serena presentable and sat her up.
“What do you think happened?” Jacob asked.
“I always blame cilantro. Whenever anything bad happens, it’s always cilantro.” Teddy nodded.
“Oh man, I drugged my friend. That was not my intention.” Jacob frowned.
“You’re new. These things are probably going to happen for a while. Don’t take them to heart.”
“She’s going to be so mad at me.” Jacob began.
“Or maybe she’ll feel terrible for forcing you to have to close the store by yourself and be forced to reconcile with that.”
“Well, at least she’ll be getting a good rest at last.” Jacob sighed as he helped to manoeuvre her onto a bench. “At least I don’t have to worry about anything else right now.”
Then the door chimed and Jacob looked up to see Joe standing there, as radiant and handsome as before. Maybe more so in the evening lights that gave the air a romantic quality. Instinctually Jacob leapt up to get a better look at him, leaving Serena to slump onto the other side of the bench. At least she’d be comfortable.
“H- Hi.” Jacob stuttered.
“Hey, I just wanted to come and let you know that man was fine.” Joe said.
“Oh fine.” Jacob sighed. “I mean good. Oh I’m glad he’s safe. Thathank you for taking care of him. Nice to know there’s still some good people out there.”
“A few of us I suppose. But that’s just what I do.” Joe shrugged.
“Not everyone would.”
“Thankfully, I’m not everyone.” Joe smiled and reached out, touching Jacob’s shoulder. “Are you okay? I know that sort of thing can be traumatic and they said there’s no way that therewas anything that a coffee could do or anything like that.”
“Oh good. I mean, I’m glad I didn’t poison him or anything. That would be bad.”
“Quite.” Joe responded.
“I mean, I’d never kill someone. Not on purpose at least.” Jacob scratched at the back of his neck. Why was he sweating?
“Oh God you’re bad at this.” Teddy whispered.
“I’m fine!” Jacob exclaimed, loud enough to make Joe jump. “Sorry I just-” Joe looked over to Serena for the first time.
“Oh my goodness is she okay?” Joe asked.
“Yeah. Just tired. Passed right out.” He responded. “She’ll be fine she just -” Joe went to her and pressed his hand on her forehead. He grabbed her wrist just to confirm that she was breathing as well.
“She’s asleep.” Joe frowned. “What happened to her?”
“I think it was the tea.” Jacob responded.
