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Kat let out a whistle. "There she is!"
"It looks good on you,” Ellie agreed with a laugh.
Just like that, my best friends chased away some of my fears... until I glanced at the curtains. No, I had to do this now.
"Is Walter here?"
"You know he is," Kat said, waving me to the back. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah," I promised, though I wasn't sure it was.
When I walked to the office, Walter sat down his reading glasses and took me in. After a moment, he took pity on me, gesturing to the seat.
"Here it is. I was waiting for this conversation," he said with a small chuckle. His weathered face was open and patient. At least he wasn't mad.
"You were?" I questioned, pressing my hands together so I couldn't wring them nervously. This was Walter, I needed to get my shit together.
"Of course," he said with a huff. "I knew one day you girls would find someone. You're all good omegas. In no way did I think you'd work for me forever."
"But," I started to argue. He held up a hand to stop me.
"To work for me as a barista," he clarified. "Working the counter and helping run this place and improve it are two very different things," he clarified. "I was waiting until you guys were ready but it seems you were the first to get there."
"Ready for what?"
This conversation had me completely and utterly confused.
He gestured around the office. "This side of things," he said, letting out a weary sigh. "It couldn't come sooner. This old man is getting tired. I could use some sun myself."
"I didn't say I was leaving," I clarified.
He laughed. "So, those guys are going to take off on a boat and leave you here?" His raspy laughter had a smile breaking free.
"Dammit, Walter. Why do you have to be so difficult?" I accused playfully. "No, they want me to travel with them. I want that, too, but I'm not willing to leave all of this behind. We just bought a house."
"Then you can help cover shifts while you're in town. We'll sit down soon and go over scheduling, supplies, all of that. You can learn the behind the scenes stuff and do what you can remotely."
He said it as if it were such a simple solution. This was more than I expected from him. Honestly, I thought I'd have to step away completely. He couldn't pay me and someone else to help out behind the register. I couldn't be happier though, I loved this place like it was my own, which is exactly why he trusted me.
"I can't wait," I told him. He waved me off with a snarl.
"Don't get sappy on me. I ain't doing it. Ellie does enough of that for both of you. Now get out there, I know you didn't come here alone."
"You know they don't let me go anywhere by myself right now," I said.
"Damn straight," he said. "Any news on that?"
"No, he's a ghost in the wind right now," I admitted.
"He'll be a ghost when I'm done with him," he mumbled. "Messing with my girls." I had no doubt he'd follow through on that threat if I needed him to.
"Thanks, Walter," I said, giving him a quick squeeze, knowing he wouldn't allow more than that. He patted my back awkwardly and let me go, but I didn't miss the way he blinked a little harder down at his work.
When I walked back out, the guys were chatting with Kat and Ellie, showing pictures of our new place. It was cute how excited about it they were.
“You have to have a housewarming party,” Kat insisted. “I want to see it in person.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” Silas pointed out, turning those brown eyes I loved on me. “We could invite your family, too.”
