AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Her mother said she remembers everything you tell her like her mind is a Rolodex of information.
“She didn’t know I had a daughter,” I said, remembering her reaction to that fact at baseball practice.
“I don’t go to Java Coffee. I drink tea here, so I haven’t seen her other than bumping into her at the store, which isn’t enough time to get into grandkids. I haven’t spent time with Nancy in a long time. We just grew apart.”
“Makes sense.”
“You think you can compete with her store?”
“The town has historically supported multiple stores selling the same products. I don’t think a second coffee shop will be any different.”
“At least you’re both local. I can’t imagine what would happen if a box store showed up,” Dad said, joining the conversation as he leaned his elbows on the island counter.
I shuddered internally at the thought. “Hopefully, that doesn’t happen, and the box stores stick to the bigger towns and cities.”
When we were finished with the dishes, Dad said, “I’m just happy to have you and that little girl home.”
“Me too, Dad. Me too.”
I couldn’t take Cammie away from her grandparents. The store had to stick. Otherwise, I’d be moving back to Philadelphia or commuting to Baltimore or D.C. None of those options was conducive to more time with Cammie.
ChapterFive
BROOKE
After Ben left, I hid in my office, needing a minute to relax. Having Ben in my space rattled me, even though I’d kept my cool. Something about his head bowed over a book had my heart racing and my skin tingling, but the rational part of my brain knew he was there to scope out my weaknesses. I hoped he didn’t find any, but that was a foolish conclusion.
Ben had worked in the city. According to the customers talking about the new coffee store in town, he had a fancy MBA to back him up. He’d gotten an advanced degree while raising a daughter. It was impressive.
I’d worked at a coffee shop near my college campus, soaking up everything I could so I could open a store at home. Near my sister and Hunter.
I had dreams of an advanced degree, too, but the embarrassment of my divorce and my desire to help my sister trumped any more time spent away from home. I didn’t regret it, but I worried it would give Ben an advantage.
I tried to imagine what he’d seen. A coffee shop that sold books. An owner who wasn’t afraid to work the counter and socialize with the customers. Would he find my business model trite?
We challenged each other, but for the most part, we were respectful. Then there were moments when I actually thought he cared about me. There was that one time in high school when I was sick and missed a big test. Ben stopped by to see if I was okay.
We never spoke about it, and as far as I knew, he didn’t realize Mom told me he’d come by. That was when I got it into my head that something else was there, and I allowed myself to dream about him asking me out, but he never did.
I’d made so many assumptions over the years—that Abby’s husband would stay and raise Hunter with her, that my marriage to Levi was real. I wouldn’t make the same mistakes again.
I looked up when I heard a quiet knock on the door. “What are you doing hiding in here?” Hailey asked.
She was my best friend. She’d sold her grandmother’s business, the Spice & Tea Shoppe, a few months ago and now worked as my assistant manager while writing fantasy novels in her spare time.
My heart thumped in my chest. “Ben stopped by.”
Hailey’s eyes widened as she plopped into the chair across from my desk. “Why?”
I shrugged. “To scope out the competition, I guess. He took a coffee to go.”
A part of me was dying to know what he thought of the brew.
“Do you know when he’s officially opening?”
“The sign out front just says coming soon.” I’d never admit that I walked or drove by his store once a day to check it.
“Everyone’s talking about it.” Hailey winced when she caught my expression. “Sorry.”
