Coffee Cup Confessions - Trish Williford Page 0,41

the phone until I hear him whistle.

“Hey, Drew.”

“Damn, you two are on fire.” He fans himself.

To give her privacy for her phone call, I retreat to the living room and sit on the couch. Before calling the coffeehouse, I check my email on my phone and find a response from Natasha in regard to my resignation.

Jake,

I knew it was only a matter of time, and honestly, I thought it would have happened much sooner than it did. Enjoy your newfound happiness. If anyone deserves it, it’s you.

—Natasha

It’s as if the weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders. That chapter of my life has closed, and a new one has opened. One with a beautiful girl who loves my cheesy confessions on her coffee cups.

For the first time in years, I remember what happiness feels like … and it feels fucking phenomenal.

Lines of storms began hitting the island this evening, and they’ve been relentless. Loud thunder cracks over the sounds of heavy rain, and bright streaks of lightning dance across the black sky. Misha and I are enjoying a lazy night of conversation in bed, entwined with one another.

Misha is tracing her finger along the ripples of my abs. “Tell me about your family.”

“I have a younger sister, Carrisa, who is in college in New York for interior design. She’s a good kid. I’m proud of her. It’s just the two of us.”

Her finger pauses against my skin. “What about your parents?”

“My mom died of cancer around four years ago. Dad bailed on us when she got sick.”

“Jake, I’m really sorry.”

“You didn’t know.” I run my fingers through her wavy hair in reassurance. “It was breast cancer. She got sick after I graduated college. Carrisa was around twelve. My dad … he checked out when Mom was diagnosed. Said he couldn’t stand to see the love of his life die, that it would kill him. He thought it was better to leave before we really hit the rough patches. As devastated as my mom was, she never gave up.

“She fought and kicked cancer’s ass once. She was in remission for two and a half years, during which she purchased Mama Java’s. Mom was thriving, living her best life in that coffeehouse. My father tried coming back at that time, to which my mother quickly shooed him away, saying, ‘If you can’t love me at my worst, then I won’t love you at my best.’

“I was so fucking proud.

“Cancer has a habit of sneaking back into your life when you least expect it, which is what happened. Mom found out the cancer had returned, and this time, it was in her bones. The doctors told her treatments would only give her a few more months, but refused them. She didn’t want her last months to be plagued with chemo and its unbearable side effects. Luckily, she was able to live as normally as possible until three days leading up to her death. That’s what she wanted.”

Misha’s hand finds mine, lacing our fingers together. “I didn’t realize Mama Java’s was her baby.”

“Carrisa and I almost sold it, but I couldn’t at the last minute. Mom loved that coffeehouse, and it’s really grown on me over the years.”

“I think that’s awesome. I admire your dedication.”

“My dedication is what Tessa blamed for her infidelity. I was working long hours at Mama Java’s every day when Mom got sick again. And if I wasn’t at the coffeehouse, I was checking in on Mom. Tessa said that was why she started to depend on Brandon and eventually sleeping with him. Brandon had a different story, saying he and Tessa had been sleeping together since before we were married. Everything came to light about a month after Mom passed away. It was a triple punch in the gut; I lost my mom, wife, and best friend at one time.”

I didn’t plan on telling Misha all of this so soon, but the words come easy with her. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to turn the night somber.”

“Don’t apologize. I was the one who asked. You’ve had some pretty shitty cards dealt to you in life, and yet you’re still standing strong. I think you’re amazing, Jake.”

“I don’t know about that.”

“Well, I do, and as much as I hate that you went through everything, it’s led you to right here, and I’m happy about that.”

She presses a kiss to my lips, and I shift, so my body is covering hers.

With a smooth thrust of my hips, I’m inside