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Jared glared at his mom until Olive started laughing. “What’s funny?”
“The thought of actually dating you. He’s pretty, Karen, but I remember when he used to wipe his boogers on the monkey bars.”
Karen turned his way in horror. “Jared Tyler!”
“I did not!”
Olive scrunched up her nose. “Pretty sure you did. The images are seared into my brain.”
Jared shook his head. Olive had been a year behind him in school and when Anna Beth had moved to Snowy Springs, she and Olive became best friends. Because of Anna Beth, Jared and Olive spent a lot of time together in middle school and high school, but as adults, they didn’t run in the same crowd.
“Can I get a large coffee with room for cream, and fewer embarrassing lies being spread about me?” Jared asked.
“Not a lie, but I can still get your drink. How about you, Karen?”
“A medium coffee, black.”
“I love you, but you’re boring.”
Karen laughed. “And you’re mouthy! I’m going to tell your mama when I see her later.”
“Where do you think I get it from?” Olive tapped the register. “Alright, that will be five-thirty-eight.”
The bells on the door jingled behind them and Olive squealed. Jared jumped a foot in the air as she took off around the counter and through the shop. He turned around to follow her movements and time slowed the same as when he’d seen Anna Beth at the market.
Anna Beth stood in the doorway, her face beaming. Olive launched herself into Anna Beth’s arms and the two women danced in a circle.
Olive pulled back and grabbed Anna Beth’s shoulders in her hands, shaking her. “What took you so long? I heard you were in town yesterday and I didn’t get a phone call.”
“I wanted to surprise you, but I should have known someone would spill the beans.”
Their excited voices carried from the front door to the register and Jake caught himself staring. Anna Beth’s happiness shone in every feature. From her eyebrows to her lush pink lips and he couldn’t help admiring her.
Karen pinched Jared's arm, drawing his attention away from the two friends. “You didn’t tell me Anna Beth was back.”
“Sorry, I forgot.”
His mom sent him a disbelieving look, but Jared ignored it. He’d never told anyone, not even Vance or Karen, about what he’d done on Anna Beth’s wedding day. Partly because he hadn’t wanted to talk about it, but mostly, he knew they’d agree he’d been a romantic idiot.
Olive let Anna Beth go, backing away slowly. “Do not move. Let me clear this line and I am yours.”
“Sounds good.”
Olive came back around the counter, smiling sheepishly. “Sorry about that, guys.”
“I understand. As soon as I pay, I’m going to go hug her myself,” Karen said.
“I haven’t seen her in a year.”
Karen shook her head. “It’s been longer for me. Not since a few days after her wedding, I think.”
Jared wished he could disappear out the door without anyone noticing. Karen had always loved Anna Beth and berated him for not asking her out all through high school. If she only knew he’d laid his heart open for Anna Beth and she’d squashed it like a tomato, she’d probably have a few choice words for him about waiting too long. But relationships had never come easy for him, still didn’t. Which made it hard to open himself up to someone.
Jared held out his debit card to Olive. “I’ll pay. You go say hello.”
“Thanks, baby.” Karen patted his shoulder. “Come over when you finish. I don’t know what the two of you fought about, but it really should be water under the bridge by now.”
When his mom took off, Olive ran his card, watching him with her left eyebrow arched. “Your mom doesn’t know?”
