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“But I’ll only be here as an intern—not in a managerial role. And my only request is that we steer clear of discussions about the development. Can we agree to leave that topic at the door? Please?”
“That is… unexpected,” I replied, my tone softening. “But yes, that sounds good to me.”
Caleb looked at me with a small, relieved smile.
“But on a trial basis—that’s the deal — take it or leave it.”
His smile broadened, offering a rare glimpse into the person behind the polished CEO facade. I found myself appreciating the complexity of his situation.
“Life has a funny way of teaching us lessons, doesn’t it?” I mused, my voice softening as I absorbed the vulnerability he had just shared.
Caleb smiled wistfully. “It certainly does. And sometimes, those lessons are more valuable than any business degree.”
“Agreed,” I said, my mind reeling from this unexpected connection between us. Who knew that beneath his cool exterior lay a man struggling to find balance, just like the rest of us?
“Now let’s get out of here and take this poor little kitty to the veterinarian to get him checked out. He hasn’t got a collar, but they should be able to scan him for a microchip.”
And with that, I picked up the cat, and we locked up Pebble’s Brew for the evening, and took a walk to Dr. Aspen’s office.
Chapter 11
Theearlymorningsun,a soft golden hue, filtered through the half-open blinds, casting warm rays that danced on the polished wooden floor of Pebble’s Brew. As I turned the key in the lock, the door creaked open, and a gentle breeze carried in the crisp scent of morning air, mingling with the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee and the tantalizing sweetness of yesterday’s baked goods.
Taking a deep breath, I inhaled the familiar and comforting scent of coffee beans, their distinct notes swirling together in the air like a well-practiced melody. The lingering fragrance of yesterday’s brewing lingered, a testament to the bustling activity that defined the cafe during its peak hours.
As I flipped on the lights, the room transformed from a dimly lit sanctuary to a vibrant space, revealing the cozy nooks and inviting tables that would soon be filled with the hum of conversations. The soft hum turned into a gentle buzz as the overhead lights flickered to life, casting a warm glow over the polished counters and inviting armchairs.
Heading straight for the storeroom, the coolness of the stone floor seeped through the soles of my shoes. The rhythmic thud of my footsteps echoed in the narrow corridor. Humming softly to myself, the sound reverberated against the walls, creating a personal melody that accompanied my morning ritual.
As I reached for the storeroom handle, my phone, tucked into my apron pocket, emitted a soft ping. Retrieving it, I discovered a message from the receptionist at Dr. Aspen’s office. The screen illuminated with the good news of Buster, the little orange cat. He’d been safely reunited with his owner, just a couple of streets away. Apparently he was strictly a house cat but had escaped the day before and didn’t know how to find his way home, poor little fella. A warmth spread through me, the joyous details painted vividly in my mind.
Yet, as I turned my attention to the task at hand—restocking the specialty coffee beans—the storeroom’s cool air embraced me once more. My heart sank as my fingers met almost-empty shelves. Panic surged, and my fingertips trembled as I fumbled for my phone, urgency pulsating through each dial as I reached out to our trusted coffee supplier.
“Cali Coffee Supplies, Brian speaking.” The cheery voice on the other end did little to calm my nerves. “How can I help you?”
“Hi, Brian,” I rushed out. “It’s Zoe at Pebble’s Brew. I need an emergency shipment of coffee beans. Like, yesterday.”
“Ooh, I wish I could help you out, but there’s a transportation strike going on right now. Can’t get anything out until it’s resolved.” My stomach twisted into knots at his words. “Sorry, Zoe. I know this is rough, but we’re all feeling the pinch.”
“Thanks anyway, Brian,” I murmured, hanging up with a heavy sigh. This was bad. Really bad.
I paced the length of the storeroom, racking my brain for alternative sources of beans. My parents had taught me the importance of backup plans, but none seemed viable now. Every idea I came up with led to a dead end, or was too far away to be practical. I had never run out of beans before, but then again, I had never had this much going on in my head before.
“Think, Zoe, think,” I muttered under my breath, my thoughts racing as fast as my pulse.
Closing the shop for the day was unthinkable. Not just because of the lost revenue but also because of what Pebble’s Brew represented to the community. The thought of letting down my regulars weighed heavily on my heart.
“Maybe I can stretch what we have left,” I whispered to myself. “A little here, a little there...” But even as the words left my lips, I knew it was wishful thinking.
As I stood in the dimly lit storeroom, the shadows seemed to press in on me, suffocating my optimism and leaving me feeling utterly defeated. But I couldn’t afford to wallow in self-pity. There had to be a solution out there, and I was determined to find it.
A jingle of the shop’s bell snapped me from my thoughts. I wiped away a bead of sweat from my brow and plastered a smile on my face as I stepped out of the storeroom, trying to hide my worry.
“Morning, Caleb,” I greeted, my voice shaking slightly. “What brings you here so early?”
“You okay, Zoe? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” His stormy blue eyes narrowing with concern as he took in my disheveled appearance.
“Worse,” I sighed, running a hand through my auburn hair. “We’re almost out of our specialty coffee beans, and our supplier can’t deliver today due to a transportation strike.”
