AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She was gone as quickly as she’d come. It was chaotic, insane, and probably the most I’d smiled in days.
“Lord help us all if you and Serenity become friends. Ren is a hot mess,” Micah finally said with a shake of his head.
“That’s an understatement,” Ezra muttered. “Don’t get any ideas either. I’ll ban you from coffee until you drink your water every time you come in if you keep it up. Day one and already causing problems.”
He walked away but I had a feeling I’d either just made an enemy, or I’d caught his attention.
If only I knew if catching his attention was a good thing.
Ellie
The Raven’s Nest Books and Coffee was my new favorite place in the entire world. Walter was a grumpy asshole and I loved that about him. The barista working behind the counter was feisty and not afraid to dish it back.
The crowded bookshelves and cozy armchairs made the book section perfect. The smell of coffee and dusty books filled the air and I breathed that shit in like a drug.
“She asked for extra foam,” Katya protested as she gave the customer just that.
“We don’t do extra anything,” Walter grumped but didn’t bother to actually try and stop her. Between her and Serenity, I had a feeling this place was never dull.
“Yes we do. Don’t lie to yourself, Walter. We are the only real coffee place in town. This town needs us,” she said as she handed it over to the woman waiting. To her credit, the woman seemed amused and dropped a tip in the jar before walking out.
“She didn’t ask for all those bells and whistles,” Walter said, pointing right at me where I sat in a chair, reading a smutty romance and sipping my black coffee.
“It was a black coffee kind of day. I treat my coffee like a mood ring,” I admitted. “Some days it’s sweet, some days it’s bitter.”
Walter grunted at my words like I’d betrayed him.
“Don’t listen to her either then,” he grumped before walking to the back through the beaded curtain separating the kitchen from the coffee shop.
“What’s your favorite drink of all time?” Katya called out to me. “Coffee or tea? Walter the great wants to start a line of teas.”
“Oh, if you do that, dragon fruit raspberry blend is my favorite tea. It’s actually really good for energy levels and your immune system,” I started, cutting myself off before I could geek out over tea blends.
“That sounds interesting,” she mused. “I wonder if we could do a DIY-type of situation with blends. Oh! Or you could come up with a few blends, like energy, antioxidants, the works. Walter, are you hearing this?”
The old man poked his head out of the back and narrowed his eyes at me. “Do you need a job?”
For some reason, I found myself saying yes before really processing it. “Yes, I do.”
“Give her an application. She’s bound to talk back less than you and Serenity do,” he muttered before ducking back out of sight.
“He’s always acting like we’re so difficult, but don’t let him fool you. We’re like the daughters he never had,” she mused as she grabbed a paper from under the register and slid it over. “It’s, honestly, a great place to work. Part time, benefits, bonuses, and the hours are awesome.”
“You had me at tea,” I said as I took the offered pen and dove into the application. It was all of the standard questions and took me less than five minutes to fill in. “Do you want my resume?”
“Just bring it on your first day for your file. We’ll look this over and check the schedule and get back to you,” she promised.
“Thanks,” I said as I slid over the filled-out questionnaire. “I’ve got to run but I can’t wait to hear from you guys.”
“We’ll definitely be stalking you soon,” she teased and waved goodbye before stepping over to help the next customer.
My phone dinged the moment I stepped outside. I stopped on the sidewalk, nearly causing an older woman to topple over me. In the city, she’d have yelled but she just waved off my apology with a smile.
Micah: Collin will be here soon, hurry up!
Me: I’m coming. Want a coffee?
Micah: That’s the last thing I need today.
