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Jamie relaxed into the most radiant smile. She had subtle dimples. Leighton went still as the happiness pulled her in. She was a sucker for people who carried passion for what they did. Maybe it was one part envy. Her job was important to her, but passion was unique.
“More than proud. This little bar is my family.” She winced. “Sorry for the gushing. I probably sound like a human needlepoint, but it’s my truth, and I can’t smother it.”
Leighton rushed to reassure her. “It doesn’t. It sounds like someone who knows a good thing when she has it. Very cool.” She nodded and moved down to the drink station to wait on her latte.
“Thank you for saying that,” Jamie said. A moment later and Jamie’s gaze was still on Leighton. She could tell without fully turning to find out. There was a warmth against her cheek. Was it possible she was being checked out? Well, well. Jamie might just walk on the queer side. She passed an appreciative smile that she hoped didn’t sayYou might be checking me out, and I don’t mind.
“What was your name?” Leighton called over the whirling and whistling of the espresso machine. Of course, she already knew but couldn’t exactly stay so.
“I’m Jamie.”
She softened at the way Jamie said it. “I love that name.”
“You do?” She watched as Jamie’s cheeks dusted the cutest shade of pink. She wondered what else she could say to elicit that same result, becauseyeah.
“Very much.” She touched her chest. “I’m Leighton. Nice to meet you.”
“Same,” Jamie answered. She blinked a few times with those big blue eyes, almost as if ordering herself to get her head in the coffee game. Finally, Jamie nodded and brightened to a farewell smile and moved on to help the next customer. Leighton was sad their exchange had ended but had enjoyed the sparks of energy that moved between them. She’d noticed Jamie on their first couple of meetings, but now shereallynoticed her.
Leighton spent the next two hours catching up on paperwork and putting the finishing touches on her report for a property, currently doing business as a clothing store, a few doors down. During her short mental breaks, she rewarded herself by watching Jamie interact with customers from behind the counter and sometimes even in front of it. She was the perfect host, vivacious, warm, and actually really cute, especially in that cap. Energy like hers was contagious and captivating. Leighton had a feeling that the store’s success was not just due to its unique, ahead-of-its-time concept, but because Jamie herself came as part of the package. Observing her in her element was an interesting character study. In fact, she lost more time than she cared to admit tostolen glances. Her phone, unfortunately, vibrated and pulled her away from her covert Jamie gazing.
She glanced down at the readout and slid on to the call. “Courtney.”
“My weekly check-in. How are things in New York?” her cousin asked.
“Are you asking aboutmeor the progress on the new project?” Leighton dropped her tone to maintain her anonymity in the bar.
“I’m always going to be more interested in you. You’re one of my favorite humans ever.”
Leighton smiled. She and Courtney were just two years apart. She had no siblings of her own and, growing up, always cherished Courtney for that reason. She looked up to her, and always trailed after her during those visits to their grandmother’s house in California. When Leighton had formally requested to join the family business after completing her master’s program, it was Courtney who’d made sure there was a prime spot for her, harnessing her skill set and placing her on the development team. Leighton had paid her dues diligently, working from the bottom up. No special favors. Courtney Carrington took the business very seriously and didn’t believe in handing out unearned promotions, which had Leighton pulling some pretty hefty hours.
“Well, I wish I had more to report. I had a date two nights ago.” She knew that would perk Courtney up, a die-hard romantic these days. She loved Leighton’s dating stories.
“Any potential there? We’re supposed to raise our kids together, but we’re both falling short.”
“At least you have your person already.” Courtney really did have the perfect, most enviable relationship. She and Maggie had been married for several years now and had a life bursting with love. They made eyes at each other across any table, strolled the length of the strawberry farm Maggie’s family owned on their off weekends, and took on the big cities whenever Carrington’s demanded Courtney’s attention. The perfect hybrid existence.
“I take it two nights ago did not deliver yours,” Courtney said. She could hear the disappointment in her voice.
Sensing the need for privacy, Leighton began to pack up her table. “A setup from Mindy, who means well. He took a bite of my mushroomravioli without asking and then used all the butter for his own bread. All.”
“Bastard.”
“There was no good-night kiss, needless to say. I made sure of that. Not with a butter absconder.”
“Always a fan of your vocabulary, Lay. No one should abscond.”
“How’s Maggie?” Leighton slid her attaché onto her shoulder, and with a quick wave to Jamie. who smiled warmly back, Leighton emerged from the cozy coffee bar to the busy sidewalk. A blast of frigid air hit her face, and she fell in line with the pedestrian class of Chelsea. She was seven stops on the train from her place but had business at the office in midtown first. She signaled for a cab, deciding to dodge the chaos of the station.
“Maggie is getting a much-needed massage. She’s earned it after going so hard this week. She sold three properties and listed a handful more. I set her up with a surprise intervention.”
“See? Butter guy would never do that.”
“He wouldn’t. Cut the cord and move on. Life is too short. He or she is out there for you. Just gotta keep looking.” Courtney paused. “And the Chelsea store? Bryce says the progress is steady.”
“As it can be. I was sitting in what would likely be your new café when you called. Currently a coffee and wine spot loved by the locals.”
“Well, they’ll love us, too, once they give us a chance.”
