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What Jeremy had alluded to tracked. She put on a brave face more often than she probably should. It was something she wanted to work on, however. She didn’t have to seem okay all the time. In fact, in the coming year, Leighton wanted to make sure that she didn’t sacrifice calm waters for authenticity. The next time someone asked how she was, maybe she’d just answer plainly, and say that she felt a little lonely these days, but things were looking up. She saw what Jeremy and Elise and millions just like them had and experienced a burst of envy. She wanted a partner and a family, people to come home to, a life bigger than the one she was currently leading. She stared across the room at a beautiful brunette in the midst of a conversation with her best friend, giant brownie in hand, and smothered the shot of longing that descended like clockwork. She smiled down at her phone, at the text message from Helen with the blowing-a-kiss emoji.
Life was waiting for her, and it was time she stopped dragging her feet.I can’t wait until you’re home, she typed back.Hurry.
* * *
“Holy hell, I need help,” Jamie called into the phone she had on speaker. She turned to the next customer in line. “Hi, I’ll be right with you. We’re having a bit of crisis, so I’m on a limited menu.”
“Um, okay,” the stern-looking woman said. She glanced at her watch, which made Jamie feel extra pressure. Not helpful.
“What’s going on?” Leighton asked. She sounded concerned, but there was laughter in the background. Under the impatient gaze of the customer, Jamie clicked off speakerphone and stepped away from the register. More laughter. “Hold on a sec, okay?” Leighton said. What was happening on the other end of that line? Didn’t matter. There were bigger fish. “I’m back. Tell me what’s wrong.”
“The water’s been turned off at Too.” Their shorthand for the second bar. “I called the maintenance man to turn it back on. He cameright away, but there’s apparently a lock on the meter. The management company didn’t pay, and now I’m dead in the water, except there is none. No water, I mean. See? That saying doesn’t even work!”
“Okay,” Leighton said, dragging the word out. She was apparently following the trail for the larger implications.
Jamie could help speed up the process. “It means I can’t make coffee. I can’t do dishes. I don’t have a restroom. I’m panicking. I think we have to close, and that’s a lot of lost revenue.”
Leighton didn’t hesitate. “What did the office say when you called?”
“The receptionist laughed, said she was sorry I was having a bad day and that she’d pass on the message.”
“No. That’s not going to be good enough. You’re going to document each and every potential lost sale as it compares with a similar day—pull an average number from last week. Then you’re going to let the management company know that you’ll need a rent credit in that amount and that you’ll be keeping a tally of lost income until the moment the water is back on. That should light a fire.”
Jamie blinked because it was the perfect response. “I would kiss you eight times if you were here right now.” She heard the words and corrected. “All over your perfect uptown cheeks. Gotta go.”
“Jamie, wait.”
“Yeah?”
“Do you have a lot on your hands? I could help.” It was Saturday, so Leighton wasn’t at the office. It wasn’t a bad offer. She had a sink full of dishes and a growing line of customers she was going to have to apologize to. They’d make as many drinks as they could for the existing line, sans water, and then close early. Having Leighton around would give them an extra pair of hands, and—let’s be honest—also steady Jamie’s ship.
“I mean, I would love help, if you’re offering. A hundred times yes.”
“Done. Let me throw on some clothes. See you soon.”
It was thirty minutes later when Leighton, wearing a soft forest-green sweater, dark blue jeans, and tall brown boots arrived at the café. She loved winter Leighton and the way she put an outfit together. “Hi,” Leighton said as she pushed through the glass door.
Jamie had two customers left to assist and was happy to see—
“I brought help.”
From behind Leighton, Helen popped her head out. “Surprise!” She pulled off her gloves and rubbed her hands together. “Put me to work. I hear there are dishes.”
Jamie’s spirits plummeted for reasons she couldn’t explain, but she forced herself into a wide smile anyway. “You’re the nicest, but you don’t have to do dishes. Can I have Ally make you a drink?” She smiled over at her part-timer, who was fast on the espresso machine but didn’t say a whole lot.
“Absolutely not. I’m here to help, not take.” Without waiting, Helen pulled her dark curls into a tieback and headed behind the counter. She grinned at Jamie. “You’re gonna be really impressed with me. I’m a dish monster.”
“If you’re sure you’re okay with—”
“I am,” Helen said. “You’ve got more important things to handle.”
Jamie turned back to Leighton, who was watching Helen with a hint of pride, and something about it made Jamie tense up all over. Not the time. She handed out complimentary bags of doughnuts to the three customers waiting on their drinks and the two still in line. She’d switched the sign from Open to Closed and gulped down some air.
All was under control. “We’re gonna get the water back on and all of this sorted out,” Leighton said, offering her a side hug. “Why don’t you get started on the documentation of loss, and I’ll help out here, speak to anyone who shows up wanting to know why we’re closed.”
“Yeah, that sounds great. I’m sorry that all I have are the jugs of water for you to work with. The maintenance guy was nice enough to have a bunch delivered.”
Leighton shrugged. “Not a problem we can’t handle.”
