silky blouse in rich red. It was a far cry from her weekend attire of leggings, hoodies, and messy buns. “I was hoping you’d be in. The boss prefers it when you’re behind the coffee machine.”
Nicole walked over and propped herself on one of the stools that hugged the far side of Kisspresso’s main counter so they could chat while Audrey worked.
“You almost missed me. I was finishing up these orders before my morning break,” Audrey said.
“Good, you can walk me back to the office.” Nicole grinned. “How was the game last night? So bummed I had to miss it.”
“The new first baseman is great.” She hit the portafilter against the knock box and dislodged the used puck of coffee grounds. “Deanna was very excited to see him in the flesh.”
Nicole snorted. “Lovelorn already, and she’s only fourteen.”
“Tell me about it. She’s ninety-nine percent hormones right now.” Audrey put up the orders and called them out. “How’s work going?”
“I’ve thought about murder approximately five times this morning.” She cocked her head. “Which is down from my lifetime average, so I guess that’s good.”
“You’ve got to get out of there. The place is going to crush you.” Audrey paused to look her friend in the eye so Nicole knew she meant business.
“And what am I going to do, huh? Get a retail job and earn half of what I’m earning now, and probably still end up being miserable.” Nicole smoothed a hand over her dark hair, which she’d pulled back into a simple twist. It showed off the tiny gold hoops in her ears. “At least now I can afford my own place, which halves my murderous thoughts every day because I don’t have to live with my mother.”
“What about your dreams?”
Nicole shot her a look. “The ones you said were pointless?”
“I didn’t say they were pointless.” Audrey placed the Americano and two cappuccinos into a little reusable holder that Nicole always brought with her. “Come on. Let’s walk.”
Audrey undid her apron and called out to her colleague that she was going on her break. After hanging her apron up and grabbing her phone, she followed Nicole outside. Kisspresso was just off Main Street, along the road that housed the college’s main entrance. It was leafy and pretty, and today the warm air ruffled the branches of the trees overhead.
“I remember what you called them,” Nicole said. She carried the tray in one hand, and her shiny nude pumps clicked against the pavement. “Self-indulgent. I’d argue that’s worse than pointless.”
“Only because women are trained to think their purpose in life is to serve others,” Audrey said, knowing full well that she upheld that stereotype. “But I was more talking about the rest of it. The Hallmark stuff. Husband, the house, white picket fence.”
“So it’s fine to dream about a career change but not a family?” Nicole raised a brow. “Although I understand why you think that way.”
“I guess I’ve seen the dark side of families more than most. The bits they cut out of those movies. My family life would be film on the cutting-room floor.” She shrugged. “And I’m okay with that—not everybody gets to have the happily ever after. But…”
“Wanting is dangerous.”
“Yeah. I find it easier to do what’s necessary, and that way I have a purpose, which makes me happy. I’m not chasing some grand thing that may or may not be real. Instead, I’m chasing something that’s actually possible. Something tangible.”
They walked down Main Street toward Nicole’s office building. There were fewer trees here, and the sun beat down relentlessly, bouncing off the shiny shop-front windows and making Audrey squint. Sweat beaded along her hairline, and she swiped at it with the back of her hand.
“Why on earth are you wearing a long-sleeve top under your uniform?” Nicole asked as they walked. “It’s hot as dog balls out here.”
Audrey faked a laugh. “And how do you know dog balls are hot, huh? Got some weird fetish I don’t know about?”
“Ew.” Nicole screwed up her nose. “Don’t even joke about that.”
“You were the one who started talking about animal genitalia. Actually, did you know there’s a guy who became a millionaire by selling fake dog testicles made out of silicone?”
“I’m sorry I said anything.” Nicole rolled her eyes. She looked like she was about to say goodbye, since they were now paused in front of her workplace, but at the last minute, her eyes narrowed. “You only do that when you’re hiding something.”