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Maybe I’d feel up for it tomorrow. I scrubbed a hand over my face. Tomorrow I’d need to answer my customers’ questions about the new developments at Java Coffee, now known as Market Tavern.
Would that reporter be sniffing around again? Looking for a deeper story? I wasn’t ready for any of it.
I leaned back on the couch. I wanted to go through life with a partner, not someone who didn’t trust me with what was going on in her life. I hadn’t treated her like competition in a long time, but maybe she didn’t know that. Maybe she thought we were still in the thick of it, and she felt like she couldn’t come to me.
I wanted to wallow in my pain, but Mom’s words were penetrating my brain and making me doubt walking out on Brooke.
I went to work the next day with less enthusiasm than usual. I wasn’t ready for the questions I knew would be waiting for me, so I headed straight to my office, hoping to hide out for most of the day.
Christopher popped his head into my office. “You see the news?”
I gestured for him to sit across from me. “I assume you’re talking about Java Coffee’s transformation?”
“That’s the one. It’s called Wine Market or something now, isn’t it?”
“Market Tavern.” Those two words were imprinted on my brain. I’d never forget that sight.
His eyes widened. “From your expression, I assume you didn’t know.”
I laughed without any humor. “I didn’t.”
“Aren’t you and Brooke dating?”
At my raised brow, he added, “I’ve overheard a few phone conversations.”
“I haven’t exactly been discreet.” Not around Christopher. We’d discussed my feelings for her previously.
“I kind of assumed you’d kept it from me, and rightfully so.”
“The only other person I’ve talked to about it is my mother.”
Christopher leaned closer. “You need advice?”
“I think I know what I need to do, but I’m not sure I’m ready.”
“I’m here for you.” Although Christopher was my manager, he’d quickly become a trusted friend.
I sighed, trying to collect my thoughts. “I don’t think she trusted me enough to tell me what was going on.”
Christopher winced. “That’s tough. I’m sorry.”
“She has a good reason not to trust people. Her ex. But I thought she still trusted me enough to include me.”
“I get that you wanted her to come to you.”
“I’d offered to do this together. To come up with a marketing plan that both of us could thrive from.”
Christopher considered me for a few seconds before saying, “She means something to you.”
“I love her. But I haven’t told her. I don’t think I even realized it until last night.” When I thought of what it would be like to move on without her, it was inconceivable.
“Can you work it out?”
“I think I can. I’m just not sure I’m ready.”
“You want some time to get over the shock?”
And the hurt. “I think so.”
