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“I’m proud of you,” she says.
“No, I didn’t make it till ten for my first cuppa joe. This will be my third.” I roll my eyes.
Giggling, she shakes her head. “No, I mean you finally let Grams match you.”
“Oh, that.” Word spreads quickly.
“Let me guess, the paperwork was started and it came across your desk?” I ask, knowing that’s not the case.
“No way, no paperwork involved. Ruth has been working on your profile in her head for years. She cornered me before I even had the lights on in my office this morning.” Layla chuckles. This sounds more like it.
“Do you know who she matched me with? Tell me all the details.” I step up to the counter and order an iced white mocha with sweet cream foam and caramel drizzle. Hazel, the manager, pops out of the kitchen and smiles, waving at Layla and me as she carries a plate of lemon bars. As Layla orders her own drink, Hazel drops two bars and a slice of coffee cake in a small box.
Handing it over the counter to me, she says, “Here’s a Monday morning treat on me. Give that cake to Ruth for me? She was in here this morning and missed out on my last piece. This just came out of the oven a little bit ago.”
“You’re a gentleman and a scholar,” I tell her in my best Michael Scott voice.
A guffaw falls from her lips and she nods.
“We are going to have a girls’ night soon. Want to join us, Hazel?” Layla asks, coming to stand next to me while we wait for our drinks.
“Absolutely. I had so much fun at the last one you invited me to.”
“Unfortunately, that was the last one we had, so we are well overdue. You might be stuck with us from this point on.” I laugh.
“I’d love that. Most of my gal pals still live over in Cincinnati. I haven’t had much time to make new friends.”
One of her baristas slides my drink across the counter and I snag it up. “You got us, so don’t worry about it.” I grin.
“Actually, one of my dear friends just moved to Indy. She just got out of a really bad relationship. She’s in some desperate need of girl time. Mind if I bring her along?” I glance at Layla to make sure she’s fine with it. But Hazel takes it wrong and adds, “I promise you’ll love her. She’s super sweet. She’s a momma of the most precious little girl. She just really needs some carefree time.”
“Oh, that’s totally fine, Hazel. Let’s set something up,” Layla chimes in. “This one”—she juts out her thumb toward me—“has a date with her soul mate this week, so let’s make sure she isn’t swept off her feet first and then we will set something up for next weekend maybe?”
I roll my eyes.
Hazel’s eyes brighten. “I’m going to need all the details. And that sounds great!”
We wave goodbye and head back up to HEA, Inc. “Really, Lay? You gotta tell everyone?” I mutter.
“I’m really excited and Hazel is our girl, so it was only right to keep her in the loop.”
Stopping at the elevator, I blink slowly at her. “Let me guess, you already texted Stella?”
“Group chat, right before I found you in line for coffee.” Her grin is massive.
I just shake my head as we step into the elevator. Using my key fob, I scan the panel and hit the top floor.
“You know who I’m meeting, don’t you?” I study her for all her tells.
Her face falls. “No, actually, Ruth hasn’t told me anything. Like I said, there’s no file. I can’t even snoop. Lord knows I don’t want into that head of hers.” We both laugh at the thought.
Seconds later, the door slides open. I dig out my lemon bar and hand the box to Layla before continuing to our offices. “You’ll let me know if she mentions any details. Capeesh?” I stop at my door as Layla keeps going.
“Caposh,” she replies, waving at me over her shoulder, heading to her own office.
Ruth is up to something. I can feel it in my bones.
Guess I’ll find out soon enough.
