“Aww, just like you,” Laney says to him with a smile.
These two.
They’re sickeningly adorable.
I steal one more cookie and shove to my feet. “I made this mess. I’ll clean it up. I don’t need you getting your hands dirty too. I just need to decide if I can change his mind on my own, or if I need to take it a step further.”
“What’s a step further?” Laney asks.
“It’s better for you if you don’t know.”
“Sabrina.”
I squeeze her shoulder. “Thank you for the pep talk. I don’t want to get more of my bad mood all over you two, or chase Emma off again if she comes back—”
“You didn’t chase her off,” Theo says. “She’s way behind on work.”
“The intellectual part of my brain acknowledges your viewpoint, but my emotions are still out of whack. Be good to Laney. Call me if Chandler makes problems for Em. Jitter and I could use an outlet for all of our pent-up energy.”
“Where are you going?” Laney asks.
“Overdue for a haircut.”
“You got your hair cut three days before you flew to Hawaii.”
“The curls got lopsided.”
Laney presses her fingers into her eye sockets.
“Now that you mention it, it’s totally obvious. This side, right?” Theo waves his hand near his shoulder on his left side.
And I almost check to see if he’s right before I remember I never take Theo seriously. “Yes. That side.”
“Call me if you need any help,” Laney repeats.
I won’t.
I don’t even know if my plan will work or if it’s the right thing to do.
Making out with Grey Friday morning definitely wasn’t the right thing, as the cheese reminded me.
Showing him what Bean & Nugget does for the community isn’t working fast enough.
But if even Laney doesn’t have a better idea…then I think I have to do it.
No matter the consequences.
Not like I can make this worse, right?
15
Grey
I leave the café in Zen’s hands on Sunday after getting a lecture from them about catching up on sleep and lowering my stress levels. And also after they threaten to steal the car to run away deeper into the mountains to find an attractive ski instructor who likes spending half the year on the beach to live out their days with.
They need a break from me.
Another one.
But they still send me updates about locals asking when we’ll shut down for construction and if Elsie’s scones will stay on the menu afterward and when they can bring by dinner for us.
I know what’s happening.
Zen’s rapidly deciding this place is living up to their expectations on top of thinking I’m an idiot for trying to be Super Vengeance Man.
They’re a lot like who I used to be.
Find someone who accepts you for who you are, and you’ll do anything for them.
I grunt softly to myself over my puzzle.
Fine.
Fine.
I’d still do anything for someone who accepts me as I am. I just don’t believe anyone who says they can.
Not when the other conversation blowing up my phone is a group chat where my brothers have joined in on wanting to know why I won’t help with Felicia’s birthday.
A woman only turns thirty once. And she’s such a good mom to Duke. You should quit holding a grudge and help with the party.
The relative silence on that front was nice while it lasted.
Zen’s right about one thing for certain.
I should change my phone number.
I manage to nap some—all-nighters are not the joy they once were, but I liked the quiet of the café after hours—and finally immerse myself in a wooden puzzle of a lion while contemplating the logistical issues I anticipate for applying for a liquor license in town.
I’m engrossed enough that I almost don’t notice the sounds of my next-door neighbor returning.
Almost.
Jitter doesn’t bark much. He’s a good puppy. And while the walls are thin, other than Sabrina’s nightly toothbrush routine that I try to avoid, I only hear the soft noises of phone conversations or the TV on without being able to hear distinct words.
Not that she’s home much.
She’s as much a social butterfly as I am a hermit-in-training.
She doesn’t turn on the television now though.
No, that’s an entirely different sound coming through the wall, and it’s one that makes my heart freeze.
Crying.
I stare at the stairwell on the wall separating my living room from what I assume is Sabrina’s living room.