As they talked I found my mind wandering back to Cash. I wondered where he was and if I’d crossed his mind. I wondered if he missed me the way I missed him.
I even let myself wonder for a moment if Antoni could be right—if maybe, just maybe, our story wasn’t over.
* * *
“So,what did you think about Sydney?” I asked Katie after we’d finished closing up for the day. “I think she had potential. And Ilovedthat Jacob guy.”
“Iagree,” Katie said. “I liked both of them a lot, and I kind of love that they don’t have a ton of experience. It means they’re malleable.”
“And both seemed eager to learn,” I added. We had wrapped up four interviews, and we both felt optimistic. The new selection of candidates felt so much better, and the last person we interviewed had some great ideas for some low-cost lunch items to add to our menu. “And I love how much initiative Sydney had. She came in with pie charts, spreadsheets, and everything.”
Katie laughed. “Right? She makes both of us look bad.”
“I think we need someone like that,” I said. “We need to be able to relax a little bit.”
“Yes.” Katie untied her apron and tossed it on the counter. “Yes, we do. And it couldn’t come soon enough with the renovations being almost done.”
“Big Earl said this morning that we’re about two weeks out. We have another crop of interviews tomorrow, but if they don’t dazzle us, I think we found two really good ones today.”
“Now, we just have to find a barista,” Katie added before pausing a beat. “Ella, I’m really sorry about Cash.”
I shrugged. “It’s alright. I mean, it isn’t, but it will be.Iwill be.”
“Of course you will,” she said gently. “But you’re allowed to be hurt. You’re allowed to not be strong all the time.”
“Trust me, I’ve had my moments,” I admitted. “Last night I ate an entire sleeve of Oreos in the bathtub and cried.”
“It’s all about balance,” Katie teased. “Look, I know this didn’t go down the way we all thought it would, but I’m proud of you.”
I snorted. “For what? I can eat an entire sleeve of Oreos in my sleep.”
She shook her head and smiled. “No, silly. For putting yourself back out there. I know that couldn’t have been easy because it never is. For what it’s worth, I imagine that after you’ve had the kind of love you shared with your husband it was probably pretty hard to let yourself believe in that kind of love again, but you did. You gave it a chance, and I think that’s pretty brave.”
“Thanks, Katie Bug,” I said, pulling her into a hug. “I appreciate you. More than you know.”
“Ditto,” she replied. “I’m wiped out, so I’m about to head home unless you need anything.”
“Nope,” I said. “Get some rest. I’m about to head out too.”
“Good night,” she called as she disappeared through the door to the kitchen.
I decided to text Grace before I left.
Ella: Hey honey. Want me to pick up something for dinner?
Almost immediately, the text bubbles appeared.
Grace: actually, i’m having dinner with lexi. she came and picked me up. i let bradley cooper out to pee before i left tho.
Ella: Did Sam go with you?
Grace: he’s having dinner with one of his friends. we’re going to pick him up on the way back.
Ella: OK. You and Lexi be safe.
Grace: we will. :) i won’t be home too late. promise.
I sighed with my entire body.Guess it’s just me and Bradley Cooper tonight.I finished locking up, turned off the lights, and started toward the back door to leave. As I flung the door open to the outside, my phone pinged with a text.
