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“You’re not, you’re fulfilling a wish and want of your own.” I look around the shop. “I’ll figure it out. I can pack them in waves…I don’t know. Just go.”
“I’m going to send out a text blast," she threatens holding her phone in the air. “So, keep your phone on. Do not silence that ringer later, because I may have a solution for you.”
She’s always been this insistent. “You really don’t have to do that. You’ve done enough.”
“Nope,” she says, shaking her head as she leaves. “Look, I’m only leaving because if I don’t I’m gonna be late, but know I am working on this.” She points to the clock behind the counter. “What time are you closing today?”
“Usual time, five.”
“Challenge accepted.” She winks. “Trust me, okay?”
The bell rattles as she runs out, and then the shop falls quiet again. My playlist continues from the speaker in the corner, with Taylor Swift enthusiastically insisting that tonight is going to be the best night of my life.
And on the table, a Side B sticker peels itself off the box and flutters to the floor.
“So when we come in next time for our book club, will there be coffee?”
Mrs. Green has been standing in front of me, trying to wrap her head around the closed coffee machine for the last ten minutes. “I probably won’t have it, but if you want to bring some in from another café, I promise I won’t stop you.”
“Oh, good. Thank you sweetie.” Her shoulders relax instantly. “Caroline Price is a mess without her five cups of coffee.”
“Oh wow!” I laugh. “That’s a lot of coffee in one day.”
“Honey, she drinks that in ninety minutes during book club.”
I bite my lower lip and wave as she leaves, the last customer trailing behind her. I watch as the door swings shut before I reach automatically for my back pocket.
It’s empty. Where did I put my phone? More importantly, in what part of this store was I in when I last looked at it?
Honestly, a lost phone is the last thing I need. I’ve got to close the store and register, then I am looking ahead at a night filled with several hours of packing subscription boxes alone. My fingers are crossed that Lucy managed to find someone, anyone, before I start moving everything into final positions that will inevitably block the bathroom door.
I find my phone in the back room, half-buried beneath a stack of tissue paper. There are nine unread messages. One is from Dad.
Dad
My flights are booked. I’ll be in Alexandria two weeks from today. Are you free for dinner that night?
We should make a reservation.
I stare at it long enough for the familiar tightness to gather beneath my ribs. This text is filed under “problems for future Eva.” It’s the other messages I need to get to. All of them sent in the last hour and a half.
Lucy
Okay. I found someone.
Followed eight minutes later by:
Lucy
No, I didn’t.
Ignore that.
Ty might be able to do it.
Ty cannot.
Owen said he’s free.
