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Because those things called feelings?
Yeah, they happen anyway.
No matter how much I convince myself otherwise.
* * *
As the days pass, Cole and I continue in our comfortable routine.
Today, though … today seems different. Cole’s running around the shop, stress dripping out of every pore, and he won't tell me why. It's as if Cole wants to argue today, nitpicking at every little thing.
Gramps came in this morning and mentioned something about a meeting with the bank.
“Want me to help you get anything together for your meeting?”
Cole shakes his head. “How do you know I have a meeting?”
“Gramps told me. Said that's why you're on edge.”
“I'm not on edge,” Cole snaps, and I give him a knowing look. “Fine, whatever. I have to go.”
He storms off, the door slamming behind him.
I sigh and go back to organizing my online Etsy shop. A moment later, Gramps steps in, Rocky running in first as usual.
“Hey, pretty lady. Holding up shop?” Gramps smiles at me, and my bad mood fades a bit. How can I stay in a bad mood around him and this adorable dog? Rocky begs at my feet with his butt on the ground and his paw in the air. Boy, does he know how to get what he wants.
I pass him a treat from underneath the counter and ruffle his furry ears before he trots away happily. “That's right. Everything's under control.”
Gramps nods as he makes his way over to me. “I had no doubt.” He leans on the counter. “I saw Mr. Grumpy pants on my way in.”
I laugh a little under my breath, and Gramps smirks. He knows I find their teasing funny because their love shines through it all. Thick as thieves, those two. “We both know why.”
“You know, for only being around here for a month or so now, you sure do know Cole well. He doesn't show many people his insides.”
I scoff. “Believe me, I know. Getting him drunk works, though.”
Gramps chuckles. “That doesn't happen too often. But kudos to you.”
“He hasn't told me much at all. We're friends is all. Business partners, to be exact.”
Gramps side eyes me. “Okay, sure.”
What's he getting at? A part of me wants to know, but the other part says screw it. Why am I back to putting hope into something that isn't there?
“I'm going to start closing up. Cole wants me to see you home. Feel like walking the beach with me?”
Gramps nods. “How about some ice cream? My treat.” His eyes widen in anticipation.
Oh, this cute old man. No wonder Cole looks up to him and wants to spend so much time with him. His gentle old soul draws you in. A lot of times Gramps is silent, but you know he's listening, watching, observing.
“Sounds perfect.”
After locking up, we stop at the ice cream shop and grab vanilla ice cream cones all around, even one for Rocky.
Tonight, the sun hangs low in the sky as it sets below the horizon in the cool air. It wasn’t too hot earlier. Customers complaining about chilly water and not enough sun. A heat wave is bound to happen soon with this beach in constant sunlight. Hence why so much traffic flows here as everyone discovers the secret of this place.
Definitely not so secret anymore.
