I nodded and looked out the window, still thinking of the boy he told me about. I was tempted to find him to ask about what he thought of Theo myself.
But Theo didn’t need that. He needed someone to be here with him.
And that I could do easily.
34
THEO
Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch
Marjorie Brown:Another day, another event at the library! Today’s is a knitting class, taught by our very own resident crafty mother, Virginia Briggs!
Comments:
Grace Day: @Mollie Wilson @Wren Hackett @Jade Day @Piper MWE NEED TO GO! I love it when Dean’s mom teaches crafts.
Wren Hackett:I’m so in.
Piper M:I can’t. I’m gonna be out of town tonight.
Mollie Wilson:Wait, really? For what! Text me!
Jackie Anne:Funny, she’s out of town the same day Theo is off work again. Weird ...
“We’re here,”I said as I pulled up to Riley’s coffee shop.
Piper looked around with wide eyes. She was as tense as I was, but for different reasons.
“It’s not too bad,” she said. “I think I can go in.”
I would never tell her, but I’d never been happier to hear those words. She grounded me like I did her.
When we walked in, I was hit with the familiar smell of coffee. It wasn’t my shop, but it was close enough.
Riley was behind the counter, working on an order. Her eyes widened when she saw me, and she finished up what she was working on before asking someone to cover.
“Is that the owner?” Piper asked.
“She’s one of them. That’s Riley.”
“She works behind the counter just like you do,” she said.
“Always has,” I replied, smiling as Riley made her way to us.
“Hi,” she said. “I hope your drive was okay.”
“It was fine.” I shrugged. “I made it here.”
“Still, it’s one hell of a drive. I do want to make it out to Strawberry Springs someday.”
“You’re busy.”
“I hear you are too.” She smiled at Piper. “Is this a friend of yours?”
“Uh, girlfriend. She’s here for moral support, and to see Nashville.”
Riley’s eyes lit up. “Oh, fun. You’re from Strawberry Springs too?”
