I walk into Sunny’s Surf Co. and glance around, surprised by how large it is compared to how small it looks from the outside.
A woman behind the counter smiles at me. “Can I help you?”
“Yeah, actually. I was wondering if you have any air mattresses.”
“I think I’ve got one left,” she says. “Let’s go see if it’ll work for you.”
20
AVERY
Idon’t know why it bugs me that Max is planning to stay in an unfinished apartment, but I can’t get it out of my head. I’ve gone through several options, trying to come up with a different solution. Normally, I’m not bothered by things like this, but just the humanity of being able to sleep in a comfortable bed matters.
Then again, I’m surprised he doesn’t just stay at a hotel in the next town over. Sure, it’s a fifteen-minute drive, but wouldn’t that be worth it versus sleeping on an air mattress for an extended amount of time?
I don’t have any good solutions, though, because my apartment is already full. When Cora isn’t here, I’m in the main bedroom, and Lila has the other room full-time. When Cora is home, I usually sleep on the pull-out couch. Is it comfortable? Not really. But given how often my sister has been gone lately, I haven’t had to worry about it too much.
Do I tell Max that he can sleep on it? I can bunk with Cora until she takes off again, which is most likely within a day or two.
That would be a mess whenever Cora came home.
I can help with the blanket and sheet situation, though, because we love blankets in our family, and it’s the least I can do to help.
I grab a couple from the closet and throw them in the washer since they’ve been sitting there for a while. I don’t know why I suddenly feel the need to take care of a grown man, but maybe it’s because he’s supported my business when few others have. Or maybe it’s the fact that he’s getting the apartments done so we can finally have neighbors and not feel like this building is abandoned.
Or because I’m starting to have feelings for him.
I head downstairs to the coffee shop and tie on an apron, glancing toward the front door and wishing there was already a line waiting outside. Sarah is in the back, doing some dance in front of her phone. I can only hope this video isn’t meant for our social media.
The benefit of the reflective windows is that the sun doesn’t shine through so brightly.
I get the pastries into the oven and make sure we have coffee brewing. Stepping out onto the street, I look toward the diner where a crowd of people is already gathering.
How hard would it be to walk five minutes this way?
Soon enough, I see Max walking down the street with a large bag in his hand.
“Did you find an air mattress?” I ask.
He flashes his bright smile at me and it takes everything in me to keep a neutral expression.
“I did. What are you doing out here?”
“Well, I was trying to see what’s with the commotion down there.” I point toward the crowd waiting outside the diner.
“Would you be up for a few suggestions?” Max asks, looking as though he’s tiptoeing into the conversation.
“What suggestions?” I ask.
He takes a deep breath before saying, “Just a few ideas I’ve thought of when it comes to your shop.”
As much as I don’t want the criticisms, I have to do something, anything, to get paying customers in. And Max has only ever been kind with his advice.
“I’m listening,” I say.
“The hard part about your signage is that no one can tell it’s a coffee shop.”
I frown. “What are you talking about? Honey & Harbor is a name I spent a long time coming up with.” I step out farther so I can see the sign more clearly. It wasn’t as expensive as the coffee machines, but it definitely cost more than a few dollars.
