“I got this,” Archer says. “We only have a few more juices left to bring up front. You go take their order.”
“Thanks.” I wipe my hands on my apron and walk over to the register, but before I take their order, I walk around and give my sister and Jagger a quick hug. Luckily, Mitch is still on the phone so I ignore him.
“I forgot how cute this place is,” Jo says, looking around. “I’m surprised it’s this empty.”
“It’s early. Only early morning coffee drinkers have come in. Everyone else is either sleeping or at church.”
I take their orders, Mitchell included once he puts down his phone and pays attention, and because it’s so empty, I’m able to take their stuff to their table and talk to them a little longer. After a moment, I go back behind the counter and take a new customer’s order.
“That’s the ex,” Archer says.
“How do you know?” I laugh as I make an oat milk cappuccino.
“The tension is rising.”
“Shut up.” I shake my head, still smiling.
“It’s true. And he hasn’t stopped looking at you since he got here.”
“He’s been on the phone the entire time since he got here.” I shoot Archer a look as I froth the milk.
“So you’ve been looking at him the entire time then.”
“Whatever.” I roll my eyes.
“What happened with Kian?”
“He gave me a ride home.”
“And?”
“He asked me out.”
“And?”
“I said yes.” I shrug a shoulder as I focus on pouring the milk into the coffee. I’ve been practicing making cute designs with the milk, but so far I’ve only been able to master a leaf.
“When are you going out?”
“I don’t know.” I finish preparing the drink, set the mug on a plate, and push it toward the edge of the counter.
“Probably never,” Archer says, eyeing Mitch quickly. “I don’t think he’s letting you out of his sight any time soon.”
“Please.” I roll my eyes, then smile. “Soleil said she went home with you the other night.”
“Ah, the swift subject change,” he says, but his ears are bright red and he’s smiling. “I think it’s going somewhere.”
“I knew it.” I feel myself smile wide. “You guys are perfect for each other.”
“Okay, Cupid. Pipe down.” He laughs lightly and I can tell he’s super embarrassed, so I stop talking about it. Archer glances over my shoulder and back at me. “Pissed-off customer in aisle one. I’m going to run to the bank to make this deposit. I’ll be right back.” He taps my head, grabs the stuff he needs, and walks toward the front door. I turn around to see a pissed-off Mitchell.
“What’s up?” I walk over. “Did you not like your coffee?”
“It’s fine.”
“The croissant?”
“It’s good.”
“Okay so why are you mad?”
“I’m not mad. Can we talk?”
“Right now?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, talk.” I glance around.
There’s no one else here besides my sister and Jagger and they’re lost in conversation, probably still looking at wedding venues. Instead of spilling out whatever he’s thinking from across the counter, Mitchell walks around and stands in front of the register.
“What are you doing?” I whisper, eyes wide.
“Talking.”
“Okay.” My heart pounds harder, faster against my chest. “What is it?”
“I hate seeing you with other guys.”
“Archer?” I nearly squeal. “He’s a friend.”
“I know. I’m not saying I hate the fact that you have guy friends. I know he’s a friend and he seems like a cool dude, but I hate it. I hate that you laugh with him and talk to him so carefree and with me you seem all wound up and guarded.” He takes another step forward. “I hate that you feel like you can’t be yourself around me and I hate that I know exactly how you are when you’re yourself because you let me see you once, before I fucked it all up.”
I lick my lips. “You did fuck it all up.”
“Do you need me to apologize again?”
“No. You’ve apologized enough.” He has, over the years, every time we see each other and we’re left alone he apologizes and I’m tired of it. “We were kids and you were right.”
“About what?” He frowns.
“About not having room in your life for more than one love. You were right to break it off. Now look at you.”
“Mitch, we’re going to head out,” Jagger calls out. I glance over to see him and my sister standing and picking up the table.
“I’ll do that.” I brush past Mitch and walk over to them, taking what I can from Jagger’s hands and then my sister. “I’m sorry we couldn’t hang out today. I would’ve called out, but Arch needed someone to cover Austin’s spot.”
“Austin is the cute, nerdy guy?” Jo asks. “With the Pokémon card collection?”
“How do you know so much about this guy?” Jagger frowns.
“That’s the one.” I laugh. “He’s at a convention this weekend.”
“For Pokémon?” Jo blinks.
“Yep.”
“This is the guy you’re sort of dating?” she asks, as if I know a ton of Pokémon collectors.