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We were interrupted when the counter person called my name. I leaned in to kiss Randy before hurrying over to get our much-needed caffeine.
“I’m really glad you weren’t too busy this morning,” Randy said as he took his vanilla latte.
“Me too. This is my favorite way to start the day.” The rest of the early morning was spent discussing which cookies we thought would do well here, and which ones were a really bad choice. Mostly we tried to pair recipes we had perfected to different coffee drinks, which led to Randy having the idea of selling them as a package deal, or maybe combo. “You need to talk to Joe Ricks and see what he thinks of that idea. It might be perfect.” The owner had gone from someone Randy was intimidated by to a trusted businessman he could bounce ideas off. When he came to deliver an order, he always made sure Joe was here and had a few minutes to chat about how their businesses were doing.
“What time do you need to be at work?” Randy asked and checked the time.
“Now. If I don’t leave, I’ll be late.”
“Eli, go. I can walk from here, and when I’m finished, I’ll stop by the gift shop.”
“Want to have lunch with me today?” I asked, and secretly hoped he said no because I wanted to talk to Shelly.
“You go ahead, I’m not sure what time I’ll get there, and I know you and Shelly have a standing date.”
I barked out a laugh before kissing his cheek. “I’ll see you later, Randy, I love you.”
Randy
I watched as he walked out the door to the café and once again, I questioned how I got so lucky to find such a sweet person to fall in love with me before thanking whoever made that happen. I was just about to finish my latte when Joe walked in and instantly spotted me.
“Randy, I’ve been meaning to call you,” he said, and the next forty-five minutes we discussed him increasing his weekly order and adding even more. But the whole time my main focus was Eli, and making sure he knew without doubt how much I appreciated him.
Fourteen
Eli
Time seemed to drag by, and I totally blamed myself for actually making plans that I wanted to surprise Randy with. While I was getting more and more worried I’d blow the surprise, he seemed more and more on edge too, but I wasn’t sure why.
There were a few times I’d seen him in the downtown area, but I wasn’t sure why he was there, and he never mentioned it so I didn’t ask. Hoping he’d eventually tell me what was going on, or thinking I was possibly imagining things since I was so fucking stressed out trying to keep a secret from someone I lived with.
“I’m so fucking glad tomorrow is Valentine’s Day,” I said to Shelly as I sat down in a chair at The Wedge.
“You two are a mess. You should have done what Rick and I did. We’re staying home and ordering pizza. I did buy him a boxof chocolates and a card, but I’m not sure he thought of that.” Shelly had a far off look in her eyes when she spoke of my ex-roommate, who also happened to be her boyfriend.
“What do you meanwe’rea mess? He’s been calm, cool, and collected, which is very not Randy.” I gripped my hair and hoped I didn’t pull hard enough to worry pulling it out, and when Shelly gave me a look before staring at my hand, I knew she was thinking the same thing. “Sorry, it’s just I’ve never had a boyfriend I wanted to surprise like this. I just want everything to be perfect.”
She patted me on the hand and leaned in closer. “Eli, Randy hasn’t had someone do something like this for him either. You two worry so much but both of you are so happy together. Anyone can see that. Just relax and enjoy it, and remember you only have to keep it secret one more day.”
“You’re right. I think I’ll go to the grocery store after work and get a nice bottle of wine and some snacks to make up a charcuterie board to snack on.”
“That’s a good idea, do you think you could give me a ride so I could do the same thing? I mean don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of not cooking but I want it to be a little special,” Shelly said.
“Okay then it’s a date. I know Randy will love it and Rick likes to eat so it should be perfect.” She flicked my hand with her finger before patting it again.
“Thanks, it really is a good idea, and I know Rick drove you crazy when you lived together, but he’s really not that bad.” Her smile told me exactly how much she thought he was “really not that bad.” But I let it go and didn’t give her a hard time. She was obviously happy and that’s all that mattered.
After lunch it was busy; lots of people looked at the cookie nachos and most loved the idea. Some asked if it would be a regular thing, and since we always had broken cookies, I was sure it would be if it was popular.
“Eli?” Aunt Carol said.
“Sorry, did you say something?”
“I’ve been talking to you for five minutes.” She laughed when she said it. “Go ahead and leave. It’s obvious your mind is already done with work.”
“Sorry, I was a million miles away.”
“I know,” she said and laughed again. “Go ahead, it’s not too busy. Then you can have some extra time to get ready for tomorrow.” Her wink had me tearing off my apron and hurrying out the door. As soon as I was on the sidewalk Shelly emerged from The Wedge.
