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I raised a brow, tipped my head at him, and flagged the barista. “Harry?”
Immediately he beelined over to the table, after first nervously glancing at his boss. “Yes, ma’am.”
I cringed. “Can you ring up two caramel macchiato and one specialty donut, but not actually make them? Use this to pay for them.” I stuffed the cash into his hand. “And keep what’s leftover as a tip.”
The Adam’s Apple bobbed, and his voice squeaked. He flipped to his boss; the questioning gaze covered his pimply face. “Sir?”
“If that’s what the customer wants, then I think you should do it.” The look he sent me tickled a delight I hadn’t felt in years. It was smug, all-knowing, and somehow electric.
“Yes, sir. Thank you, Ma’am.” He scurried off behind the counter.
“I think you’ve made his day.”
“At least someone is happy.”
“Aw, I’m sure you make a lot of people happy.” A faint blush coloured his cheeks as he tipped his head down and repositioned himself at the table. It took a moment or two for him to get into a comfortable position; one that lasted longer than five seconds.
“Not lately. Did you know over the last five years I’ve had at least twelve different jobs?”
“I did not know that.”
I dug the edge of my nail into a groove on the laptop and ran it down the length. “I’m either let go because the probation period was almost over, and they felt I wasn’t a right fit for their space, or I get fired, plain and simple. When I survived the probation period at the last job, I got a little excited, because you know, I’d finally made it.” My laugh was ironically cold and without feeling. “So that’s when I ordered Casper.”
Carter tipped his head to the side.
“My car.” I sighed and clasped my hands overtop the laptop.
“Right. Anyway, carry on.” He waved me to continue.
“It was a nine-month wait for the colour and specs I wanted, so it arrived on my first anniversary, and honestly, things were going great. A year later, I’d even managed to hold on to a boyfriend for longer than a couple of months.” Why I had to sharethatpart was beyond reasonable comprehension, yet somehow it propelled me forward. “Thought I had finally made it as an adult and was starting to check off the right boxes.”
“Must’ve been a great feeling.”
I turned my focus over to him, grateful someone understood. “It was. I was on top of the world, and I was doing big things. My future seemed bright. Finally figured my dad would be proud of me.”
He squinted as if the lights became too bright and he ran his fingertips over his brows. “I’m sure he is.”
I shrugged but couldn’t correct his tense. Carter did not know about my dad’s untimely passing, and although it hurt too much to bring it up, I needed to. Back in the day, they had enjoyed each other’s company.
A lack of compassion rolled out of me like a steamroller, and my voice went as dead as I felt. “Dad passed away five years ago.” My head bobbled sideways back and forth as the tears built and blurred my vision. “Which I guess is a relief since he’s not here to witness the giant hot mess sitting before you.”
Tenderly, he grasped my hands between his and through my fuzzy vision, he slumped forward. “I knew about Benson. I was there for the funeral, and it was the worst way to spend your birthday.”
How could he have been there? How would he have known about Dad’s passing? Why didn’t he stop and say hi?
But I couldn’t voice a thing, nothing breathed out of me but pain. The lump forming rapidly in the back of my throat felt as if it was attempting to strangle me.
“You were surrounded by people constantly, and after how things were between us, I didn’t want to make things awkward or anything by talking to you. But I was there, watching you, wishing there was something I could do to help you, but I’m grateful for those who stood by you as you were never alone.” His shoulders rolled forward. “You wore a knee-length dress with long sleeves, and your hair was slicked back in a half pony. That day you wore your glasses, so you must’ve had an incredible headache, but I thought it was awesome how you wore a Gallagher’s Hardware Apron. It was a cool touch.”
I still couldn’t believe he’d been there, and I kept blinking and breathing hard, hoping the tears wouldn’t burst the dam and run free, as then I’d be in big trouble.
“Cara, I am so sorry for your loss. I adored Benson, and fishing with him was the best. He was truly a cool dude amongst men.”
“He was.” My voice croaked as the tears broke free and streamed down my cheeks. So much for keeping myself together.
Dad and Carter had enjoyed a couple of fishing trips back when we were together. He’d often thought of Carter as the son he never had.
Once again, Carter pinched the bridge of his nose and squinted his eyes as the colour drained from his face.
