Page 54 of Library or Lattes?

James disappeared, and Geoff brought over two cinnamon rolls.

“He’s been such a great help since he’s been back.” Geoff nodded in the direction James had gone. “I don’t want to count my chickens, and I’d never say anything to Lana, but I really think he might stay in Oak Falls.” Geoff all but squealed with excitement, and I couldn’t help smiling along with him.

“I’m so glad you’ll have someone to pick up the slack,” I said. I had been feeling pretty guilty about leaving him short-staffed.

“You enjoy these on the house. Just don’t tell James.” Geoff held a finger to his lips and winked.

Just then, Lennie burst through the door like a rainbow. Multicolored scarf in her black hair, fluffy blue sweater, and sparkly green Doc Martens. She rushed over to me and I stood up, hugging her. I breathed in her scent. The familiar spicy, citrusy Lennie perfume.

“Let’s never fight again,” I pleaded.

“Never.”

Lennie wrapped her fingerless gloves around the latte. “Thanks for this, I’ll get the next one. So tell me, everything. Forget everything I said about always talking about Theo, now I want to know. I need to know.” She wiggled her eyebrows, and I laughed.

“No. Tell me about Sara first!”

Lennie burst into even more vibrant life. “Well, like we’re actually going out now. And she asked me! We’re hard-launching at Krista’s Halloween party.”

“Oh my God, seriously? What are you going as?”

“Robin and Vickie from Stranger Things.”

“Awesome.”

“Willa, it’s so weird. I mean, not weird, it’s amazing, but like I’ve never had anybody who gets me like Sara. I mean, apart from you. It’s like she knows what I’m going to say before I say it, and we like the same things, and it’s just … I don’t know, easy? Like I’ve been waiting my whole entire life to feel like this and I didn’t even know. Does that even make any sense?” Lennie smiled, then looked embarrassed.

“It makes total sense. I’m so happy for you, Len.” I reached over and squeezed Lennie’s tiny hands in mine.

“Tell me about the Weatherman. Like how much making out have you been doing?” Lennie made a face. “And has it only been making out?” She lowered her voice for the last part.

“Lennie!” I acted shocked. “Of course it’s just been making out. But a lot. And in the library.”

“You harlot!” Lennie laughed.

“And we’re still doing tons of studying—”

“Of each other’s tonsils,” Lennie added. “Now I know why you didn’t want me to help you with the studying …”

And then we dissolved into giggles like we were twelve again.

“But no, seriously. It’s a lot.” I bulged my eyes out for emphasis. “And I’ve only got a few weeks left before this exam.”

“I have total faith in you, Will,” Lennie announced. She leaned over to hug me, and I couldn’t have been happier to have my best friend back.

7 Lattes

POP CALLED AFTER ME AS I stormed down the street, but I didn’t turn around. There was nothing he could say that would make this better. I’d forgotten my scarf, and the wind stung my neck, so I pulled my jacket tightly around me and wiped the drying tears from my face.

“Disrupt my life,” I mumbled to myself, then kicked a pile of what were hopefully leaves on the sidewalk.

For some reason, an image of the beach flashed in my head. Sun, sea, surf. And I could actually go—to any beach, anywhere. All I had to do was accept my aunt’s gift. Enroll in some kind of program, or maybe a tour? Make a plan, any plan, because I clearly wasn’t needed here. By anyone.

And then, without even realizing where I’d headed, I found myself standing outside the coffee shop, where the lights were still on. It was like something had guided me here. It was a sign that I should tell James about the inheritance. About how I was getting out of this town and doing something with my life while he was stuck here complaining about ceramic pumpkins.

I was ready to throw it all in his face. But when I walked inside and the warm, spiced air filled my lungs, something changed and I totally forgot the start of the rant I was about to have. I was just consumed with the feeling of peace that this place brought me.

James was at the coffee machine. “Gingerbread cocoa?”