AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oh, Jesus,” she says, making a pained face. For a second, she looks up at the ceiling before she meets my eyes again. “This is because of Mr. Lancaster, isn’t it?”
I don’t answer. I don’t even nod.
The whole point of trying to exit gracefully was to avoid gossip-drama. If only I could stop my face from turning into a flushed tomato.
Gina rolls her chair back and stands. “Okay, I’ll come watch. But are you sure, Eliza? Shouldn’t you at least get your bonuses and whatever licensing fees he promised?”
“I don’t care, honestly. I just want to be done...”
I hate that I’m so transparent.
She can probably read an entire book of heartbreak written on my face.
“I gotcha,” she whispers with a friendly pat on the shoulder.
Holding back tears, I walk her through the process one last time, answering her questions as they come.
Luckily, the peaberry brew isn’t hard to replicate at this point when I’ve done it dozens of times with other lab techs.
“What are you doing for the rest of the day?” she asks when we’re done.
I hesitate. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to do one more experiment while I still have access to the equipment. Then I need to send Cole an official resignation. Quitting without notice is bad enough. I can’t just no-show. I also need to mail something I picked up for Destiny before I’m done...”
“Of course!” She gives me a sad look. “What’s next? You’re so talented. I hate to think of you leaving the industry. Is there really no way to work things out?”
“I haven’t decided. After work tonight, I’m flying home.”
“San Diego?”
“Yep. I’ll take a small breather and figure out my plan while I’m there.”
“Wow.” She sucks in a breath and lets it out slowly. “So, this is really happening.”
“Unfortunately,” I say.
She retreats to her desk while I stand over the metal countertop, wondering what to brew. Falling in love pulled me away from my own projects for too long.
I decide to try this black-and-white thing, throwing cocoa and vanilla beans together with the peaberry blend.
There’s another experience I wouldn’t have had without Cole.
When will I work with peaberry beans again? I might as well go for broke and use them while they’re here.
The brew gives off a delicate, wonderful aroma from the start. It’s sweet, almost like a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies.
I keep inhaling because it actually makes me feel better.
Until my phone pings.
For half a second, I hope it’s Cole before I remember I shouldn’t.
And it’s not.
So much for the shrewd businessman who won’t take no for an answer. It only took him a few days to give up on me.
It’s actually my father. I open Dad’s text and smile.
Can’t wait to have you home. How about I make you all the coffee this time? It’s only fair.
A tear runs down my cheek and falls on my shaky smile. He hasn’t forgotten all the years I spent making him coffee after the salt prank.
You know what? This won’t be so bad.
I’ve always found comfort and healing in good coffee and family. That’s where happiness lies.
I spent so much time with Cole and this fairy-tale lie that I lost track of that.
Now, it’s time to reclaim my life.
It’s after five on a Friday night, so people start straggling out, calling their goodbyes and heading off on their weekend adventures.
My goodbye brew is almost ready, and then it’s curtain call.
I still have to clean up and send my resignation, too.
Gina hugs me on her way out. “It’s been a good run. I just wish it would’ve been longer. Not to be a pest, but are you sure I can’t talk you out of this?”
I smile at her. “I’m sure. Thanks for everything.”
“No, thank you for everything you’ve done. Stick around as long as you want, but don’t miss your flight. It’s supposed to be a stormy night.”
She’s the last one out.
When I’m alone, I glance around this amazing lab, trying not to linger and trip any new emotional switches.
Ten minutes later, I kill the burner under the coffee and let it sit while I clear out my desk.
Once that’s done, I ladle my steaming black liquid into a cup and take a sip.
Oh, mama.
It tastes like one of those old-school “twist” ice cream cones. Half chocolate, half vanilla, with a hint of coffee.
But instead of being frozen, it’s warm and comforting and exactly what my heart needs.
I fill my thermos and dump the rest, clean up, and then prepare for the highlight of my day.
The end of this screwed up chapter of my life.
I plop down in my desk chair for the last time and wake my computer, then log in to my email and type in Cole’s name and CC the entire world.
Mr. Lancaster,
I have coffee, comfort, and the best family anyone could ask for. That’s all I’ve decided I need in life. I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to several important regional beverage lines that will hopefully delight your customers for years to come.
