“Why not? I could use all the help I can get,” I said, moving toward the checkout counter.
Mattie followed me, and the owner stepped back behind the counter to ring me up.
“Just this one?” he asked.
“Yep.” I fished around in my purse for my wallet. Mattie stood next to me, reading the crystal display perched in front of the register.
“And this one,” she said, picking up a green crystal and setting it next to the one I’d already picked out.
“What’s that one for?” I asked, grabbing the small stone to examine it.
“Malachite,” she said, reading off the paper next to the display. “It’s supposed to absorb negative energy and help you embrace change and step out of your comfort zone.”
I let out a sigh and placed it back on the counter. “Fine. I’ll take both of these.”
“We’ve been shoppingfor hours, if you don’t let me consume a coffee and a pastry, I’m going to pass out.”
I pushed open the door to the café Mattie had deemed her favorite. When I asked if there were other options in town, she’d admitted there were not. But she still insisted this would be the best regardless.
The intense aroma of coffee beans wafted through the air, and I almost moaned in pleasure. Maybe she was right, after all. The café oozed charm, with cozy armchairs and mismatched tables spread across a vintage checkered tile floor. For mid-afternoon, it was busier than I’d expected. Back in Atlanta, the crowd would have been glued to their laptops or juggling work calls, but here, people lingered over quiet conversations or lost themselves in the pages of a worn book. Small-town charm, I supposed.
Mattie and I picked up our orders before settling into one of the only empty tables in the place.
“Don’t fill up on pastries. I got us a reservation at this great little Italian place. You’re going to love it. It has views of the mountains and the whole place is lit by candlelight.”
“I got one scone. I think I’ll be okay,” I said through a bite.
My scarf snagged on one of my earrings as I pulled it over my head and sat back in my chair. I hardly got settled before feeling a presence approach our table. When I glanced up,Oliver was there, hovering. He looked infuriatingly adorable in his navy-blue Key Ridge employee jacket.
“Ladies. Fancy running into you two here,” he said, his mega-watt smile directed right at me.
“Hey, Oliver,” Mattie greeted.
“Hi,” I said, mentally cursing myself for sounding so breathless.
“Done with lessons for the day?” Mattie asked. “You’re welcome to join us.”
I shot my sister a subtle glare, but she pretended to be oblivious.
He perched on the edge of the empty chair. “Appreciate the offer, but I have one more. Just needed a little pick-me-up.” He held up his to-go coffee cup. “I was hoping to run into you again, Frankie, but I never seem to see you around town.”
“She hasn’t gotten out much,” Mattie said, to which I elbowed her sharply in the rib cage. “Ouch!” she exclaimed, glaring at me.
Oliver chuckled at our exchange. “That’s a shame,” he said.
“I’ve been trying to resolve my whole unemployment predicament,” I added hurriedly.
“Right.” His eyes glimmered as he assessed me.
“It’s a lot of work,” I insisted, taking a sip of my too-hot coffee. I forced my face into one of neutrality so he wouldn’t know I’d completely scalded the roof of my mouth.
“I bet,” he said, checking his phone. “I’ve got to get going.” Oliver stood and gave me a little salute before backing away toward the door. “Bye, Mattie. Bye, Frankie.” He winked at only me as he said my name, and then left through the front door.
“Ugh.” I slumped into my seat and stuck my tongue out,fanning it to try and quell the burning sensation. “He’s insufferable,” I said, my voice sounding funny due to my tongue still sticking out.
“He’s cute.” Mattie sighed. Knowing her, she was already envisioning some fairy tale romance between the two of us.
“He thinks he knows me.” I took another bite of my scone.
