won’t we?” Maya presses a kiss to River’s cheek. “Good job today, babe.”
“Couldn’t do it without you,” River replies as they wrap their arms around each other in a hug.
Maya rounds the counter my way, holding her arms out to me. “Come here.” She pulls me into an embrace just as fierce as the one she gave her best friend. “I’m so, so incredibly proud of you. And I want to place an official order for one of those blanket tops, okay? I look really good in blue.”
I squeeze her back, laughing. “You got it.”
She releases me, then sends us a finger wave as she disappears out the door.
“Why don’t you head out too?” River says to me. “I can finish running the numbers and then I’ll close up shop. Go home and celebrate with your man.”
“I’m fine. I don’t want to leave you here alone.”
“Suit yourself.”
She shrugs, burying her face back in her books, not noticing that I’m avoiding going home.
I’m not ready to face Cooper yet, because I don’t know what I’m going to say to him.
He’s who I want to celebrate my victory today with, not just as my boyfriend, but also as my best friend.
Except I can’t.
And it reminds me all over again of what Cooper’s moms and Maya warned of, losing my boyfriend and my best friend because we didn’t think this through.
Did we make a mistake?
“Fine. You convinced me,” she says not even five minutes later, pushing the books aside and closing them. “I’m leaving too. Besides, I’m beat. I could use a bath, a glass of good whiskey, and a slice of pie, which I know Dean totally picked up for me. I have him trained well.”
She winks, and I laugh because we both know she doesn’t have Dean trained to do anything other than throw all her sass right back at her.
“Plus, I’m sure Cooper is just dying to celebrate with you.” She bounces her brows.
I’m sure that’s the exact opposite of what Cooper’s waiting for.
As much as I avoided him today, he did the same to me.
He knows I’m upset. He knows I’m hurt.
He knows he screwed up.
Just like I know I’m going to have to face him eventually.
“Come on.” She reaches across the counter for her purse, then ushers me toward the door. “Let’s walk back together and talk about what I need to do to convince you to have a permanent spot in the shop.”
I told River I wanted to grab something at The Gravy Train for dinner, and I was thankful she was too excited to get home to Dean to think much of it and went ahead without me.
I don’t need anything other than a moment to breathe and think before facing Cooper.
I pull the door open and step into the quiet diner, letting the familiar scent of pie wash over me.
It’s comforting, and right now I could go for some comfort.
“Hey, kiddo,” Darlene says when I walk up to the counter. “Why the long face? I heard you ladies did great at the festival today. You should be smiling, not frowning.”
“You heard about that? How?”
“I keep up on my favorites.” She smirks. “Plus, Dean stopped by earlier to get pie for River.”
She curls her lips at the mention of Dean, and I try to hide my laugh at her contempt toward him. She still hasn’t forgiven him for making River upset.
“What can I get for you tonight, dear?”
“Do you happen to have any fresh coffee?”
Her brows shoot up. “Coffee? For you? This late?”
I nod. “Please.”
I have a feeling it’s going to be a long, sleepless night anyway. What’s one more coffee going to hurt?
A frown pulls at her lips. “I don’t mean to pry, but whatever’s going on between you and that handsome boyfriend of yours, you’ll work it out.”
“What do you mean?”
“Come on, I was a young gal once, and I had plenty of boy troubles in my day. I’m going to assume he did something really dumb.”
I nod.
She huffs, resting her elbows on the counter. “Figures. He’s been spending too much time with Dean. That boy’s brand of stupid was bound to rub off on him a little.”
I snicker.
“What did he do?”
I give her a rundown, and she gasps.
“That beautiful, beautiful dumb boy.” She tsks. “I don’t blame you for being mad. Heck, I’m mad for you.”
I smile. “Thanks, Darlene.”
“Of course. Us girls have to stick together.” She winks and pats my hand. “Listen, I know this is a shitty situation, but for what