by Amanda Tru
He couldn’t imagine someone like Kaylie using a dating site. Unless she was desperate, but if so, why not at least accept his offer? “That dating site?”
“The same. You know, you should go and put up a profile, but leave your picture blank. She’s looking for someone rich, someone to take care of her business.” Addi glanced to the back of the shop where the door hid the boss they were talking about.
“I don’t know that I still want to go out with her. What if she treats me the way she treated you?” He hated to point out the obvious, but he wasn’t exactly infatuated with Kaylie. He just wanted a few relaxing evenings. Someone he could tell his mom about so she wouldn’t pester him anymore about dating, and grandbabies.
“It was just a suggestion.” She pushed the pickle to the other side of her sandwich.
“I’ll think about it. I’ve never done anything like online dating.” He picked up his own lunch, hoping she would then join in.
“I haven’t either. I’ve been afraid to put myself out there. I’ve never really done much dating. My friends all get married, but I only seem to make friends.” Her eyes widened slightly and she pursed her lips.
“Don’t worry,” he joked. “I won’t take the ‘only friends’ comment as an insult.”
She finally picked up her sandwich and took a tentative bite. When she finished chewing, she glanced up at him. “Good, it wasn’t meant to be. I really can be a good friend. I’ve had a lot of practice.”
That was another thing she could teach him. He hadn’t allowed any friends in his life for a long time. He worked during the day, camped out in front of the television at night. Some life. He picked up his coffee, and it was now the perfect temperature. As he took a drink, the scent of the coffee mixed with a hint of mint warmed him to his very heart. Addi always got it just right.
“Thank you for the coffee. You know, you’ve never messed it up.”
She laughed, and he mentally patted himself on the back. He’d cheered her up. At least he’d managed that.
“It isn’t all that hard.”
Maybe not, and neither was talking to her when he let himself do it.
It wasn’t like Kaylie to be late. Addi stood in the front picture window of The Bean and searched the sidewalk for her boss. She’d gotten there on time, prepped everything as she always did, but without Kaylie, she couldn’t open the till and the store was supposed to open in ten minutes. People would want to come in right away.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket and Addi yanked it out, praying for once that Kaylie would call her. She hit the answer button when Kaylie’s picture appeared. “Hey, where are you?”
“I’m taking the day off. Maybe the week. I’ve got some shopping to do. I sent over Liberty from the college location to help you out.”
“But what about the till? The money?” Her head felt light, and she reached for the window. How could her boss be so careless?
“The till money is where it always is, in the safe. The combination is under the counter in the black book.”
“You seriously leave the combination right where anyone could find it?” It should’ve been surprising, but her boss never thought things through.
“Yes. For times like this. You’d best unlock that door. Hop to it.” Kaylie hung up, and Addi slipped her phone in her back pocket. Now that Kaylie wasn’t coming in, Addi could order an extra bottle of the mint mix for Drew’s coffee. She’d forget by the time she got back anyway.
She had no idea who Liberty was, but she hadn’t arrived yet. Just so she didn’t have to pull out the book with the combination in it while customers were standing there, she didn’t unlock the door first. She’d just taken care of the safe, when Liberty came in the back door and met her with a huge grin, like sunshine after a storm. Liberty had bright, expressive eyes and curly, dark hair that looked a little too perfect to be real.
“Morning! I’m Liberty Dryden, and Kaylie tells me I’ll be working here at this location for at least a week.” Liberty had dark blue eyes and a bohemian style that Addi loved, but could never pull off. She had a dimple in her right cheek that made her look plumper than she really was. Her fuzzy boots slid across the floor as she walked.
Addi unlocked the front, but no one waited to get in just yet. “I’m glad you’re here. I was worried Kaylie wouldn’t think of finding a replacement. Not that she does much while she’s here.”
Liberty laughed so hard she needed a tissue. When she finished, she collapsed onto a barstool near the counter. “I didn’t catch your name?”
“I’m Addi Merrick, and I’m a student out at the Rooster, Counseling Psychology.”
Liberty’s eyes widened. “I thought I recognized you from somewhere when I saw you at the Christmas party! I wanted to go and talk to you, but it ended so abruptly.”
“It did. But Kaylie seems to be over it.”
“He was so not good for her. Or, anyone really.” Liberty stood and went behind the counter, collected an apron, and tied it on. “So, is this store busy? The Rooster location is hopping all the time and” she glanced around the shop and grimaced, “it’s only a week until Christmas. Why isn’t this store decorated?”
They kept just busy enough that she’d never had time to do it. “We have a few regulars in the morning, and they should show up soon. It gets really busy between ten and two with the work crowd. I don’t know about after that, I leave at two, so I can get to campus for an afternoon lecture and time to research in the library. I do most of my classes online, but I try to get to the campus as much as I can.”
Liberty frowned and started slipping the coffee cups between her fingers. “I wish I was a student. I made it through the middle of my first semester. Master’s of Business program. But I had some major life upheaval and couldn’t attend anymore. Kaylie let me keep my job at that location, even though I’m not a student anymore because it’s closest to my home. I guess that’s why she felt she could ask me to work here while she’s gone. I owe her.”
Addi bit her lip and immediately felt bad for saying anything about Kaylie. “That’s great. I’m glad she could help you.”
Liberty smiled like it was the only way her face wanted to be. “At the Rooster, we turn on KJRS. We’ve never gotten any complaints. Can we turn it on here?”
KJRS was the Christian music station, and while Addi listened to it at home, she’d never asked Kaylie to allow that. “If Kaylie doesn’t mind.”
“Nope, she goes to the same church my sister does.” Liberty turned and pushed through the back door to turn on the radio.
Church? Addi had always assumed Kaylie didn’t believe, because of how she acted. It was also possible that she went to church, but never let it go farther than skin deep. But who was she to judge? She didn’t know Kaylie’s heart, only her actions.
“What church do you go to?” Addi asked as Liberty began prepping the sandwich station.
“The one on Fourth. You?”
In all the years she’d worked in that store, her faith had never come up. Addi had left it at the door. Why had it taken a stranger to get her to admit she was a believer? Kaylie probably didn’t know she was a Christian, either.
“I go to Harvest.” It was the first she’d even mentioned it within the walls of the shop. Her favorite song began playing over the radio. “I’m kind of hoping you can stay on here.”
Liberty smiled and her shoulders raised just a bit. “It would be fun to work with someone I get along with.”
Maybe Christmas wouldn’t be a total bust. She’d had a nice long chat with Drew the day before, and now a new friend. What had started as a pretty horrible week, had turned downright peachy.
Drew stared at the screen and groaned. Why had he convinced himself this was a good idea? Hadn’t he watched Kaylie treat people worse than dirt? Why did he continue to feel some strange attraction to her, like he could redeem her in some way if he could just be nice to her? The chances of this service even matching him up with her were slim. He hoped, lit
erally, there wouldn’t be other wealthy men in the area signed up for the service. Normally, he’d never divulge accurately what his bank account looked like. He didn’t want to be loved for his money any more than anyone else.
It seemed like there were a million questions, and while they made sense if they were trying to match him up with the perfect woman, it still took more time than he’d planned to invest. As it was, he was late for the coffee shop. He checked his phone for the time. Yup. He needed caffeine, and he needed it ten minutes ago. Drew shut his laptop and went for his jacket. He’d finish the application at The Bean, then get his work done.
He stopped mid-shrug with his jacket stuck on his forearms. Kaylie would be there and if she saw him, might question why he was applying on the site. She told him to do it, but that didn’t mean she really wanted him to. If they were matched, she might get angry with him.
Wrestling with his jacket, he finally got it on his shoulders. He could keep his work open in one tab, then switch back and forth if she came over, which wasn’t all that likely. She didn’t come talk to him often. Grand River was a big place, a college town with lots of business and industry, but Main Street felt like a small town. It gave the illusion he might have a chance, though they might be very small, there was still a chance.
It only took about ten minutes to walk to the little shop. When he pushed open the door, it was like he’d walked into a new world, not his familiar Bean. Addi and a woman he didn’t recognize were putting up Christmas decorations, and a Christian hits music station played in the background. Instead of the quiet he was used to, people laughed and chatted over their coffee. While he’d always enjoyed the smell and feel of The Bean on Main, the changes made it even cozier, and less likely he’d get work done.
Addi turned from hanging bunting and smiled at him. She called from across the room, “I was beginning to get worried about you. I don’t even know your last name to send out a search party.”
He laughed and realized it felt really good to be missed. He set down his computer at his table and took a minute to glance over the whole store. They had put up a tree, hung garlands, and put out coffee mugs with various festive items spilling over the tops, all over the shop.
“Tanner. I’m Drew Tanner.” Instead of hanging his jacket, he tossed it over the back of the booth seat. Today seemed to be the day for change. “Who’s this?” He nodded to the other woman.
The stranger popped forward with all the energy of a Category 5 hurricane and thrust out her hand with a smile as big as Lake Erie. “I’m Liberty. What can I get for you?”
He hated to be rude, but Addi always made his coffee just perfect. He glanced at Addi to save him, and she laughed. “The usual, coming right up.”
He started to turn back to his seat, then paused. “You know, I don’t know your last name, either. Might be important. In case I ever need to send a search party for you.”
Her eyes widened slightly, followed by the expected slight pink tinge to her cheeks. “Merrick,” she mumbled so quietly he had to strain to hear over the music.
Liberty linked her arm with his and led him back to his seat. “So, you’re a regular here? That’s great.”
He opened his computer and nodded, taking the extra step of plugging in, in the hopes this new exuberant barista would go find something to do so he could get his work done. In that instant, Addi arrived, setting his coffee down gingerly. “Can I get you anything else?”
He picked up the cup and cradled it in his hands, the mixture of coffee and mint soothing the rough edges even before he took a drink. “No, I’ve just got a lot of work to do today.”
Addi swung her gaze to Liberty and tilted her head back toward the till in a silent command to go. Liberty stood with a slight pout that disappeared in an instant and brushed off her apron. “It was nice to meet you, Drew.”
He held up his cup in salute. “Likewise.” Though not really. Liberty, and especially Addi, were a distraction. He’d spent his evening wishing he had Addi’s phone number to call or text her to see how she was doing. The friendlier he got with her, the worse it could get for him. Sweet, friendly girls hid things, like who they really were. Lauren had never come right out and told him how she felt, she’d just disappeared. In so doing, she’d ripped his heart out. No more sweet, quiet women. They hurt too much.
Without Kaylie to distract him, he got the application to Betwixt2Hearts set up and sent off. Hopefully soon, maybe even before Christmas, he could get his mother off his back about getting into dating. If he was really lucky, he’d find someone he could care about. His gaze slid over to dark-haired Addi, with her leggings that hugged shapely legs, and her messy ponytail. Maybe he’d already found someone he could care about, but only if he allowed himself to be open to that kind of hurt again. Not likely.
Two days after Drew submitted his application, Christmas day, a response sat at the top of his inbox. One. As he stared open-mouthed at the screen, he almost couldn’t believe his luck. There, at the top of the email, Kaylie Viro. Her profile picture was sultry, as expected, with a perfectly painted pout, hair too platinum to believe, and her usual smirk. Drew had the strangest urge to pray for her. With the number of other men who would see the not-quite revealing, yet revealing in so many ways, image, she might need it.
Would she agree to meet with him? It was the final hurdle in getting the date he’d wanted for months―yet, other than a sense of shock― his brain refused to get excited over it. Probably because she would never agree, but maybe because his brain remained stuck on Lauren. He had to move on.
With a click of the respond button, he sent Kaylie a request to chat and gave her his personal email. He only had one day left of free access, and that wasn’t enough to talk with her. Though it was dishonest, he didn’t let on that he knew her. If she put it together by his first name and his super-old profile picture, then it was done, and he’d put up with the storm at the coffee shop. She might even ask him to never darken their door again.
Before he could even flip to a new screen, Kaylie replied.
Hello Drew,
It took me a minute to make sure you weren’t someone else. I’d love to meet up with you. How about this next week?
Kaylie
He hadn’t seen Kaylie in about four days. It had taken him two days of putting together his profile and another two for Betwixt2Hearts to respond. In that time, he hadn’t seen her. She’d been absent from the coffee shop, replaced by Liberty.
The coffee shop had completely changed in Kaylie’s absence. Not only had the arrival of Liberty brought music and décor into the shop, but Addi had also changed. Instead of huddling in her shell, she talked more, smiled more, and even her usual messy ponytail had changed into more of a styled bun on the back of her head with pretty tendrils that curved around her face. The changes were subtle, but he’d watched for whatever she would change next. He’d missed Kaylie much less than he’d thought he would.
That would change once they were dating though. If they made it to that stage, it had to. She’d realize he was a great guy, worth more than his money. He’d see that she wasn’t snarky like she acted at work, because, really, who was? Kaylie had a heart too and deserved someone who would be willing to treat her well, not like the last guy. Addi had told him about what had happened at the Christmas party, but she’d left out why it had induced Kaylie to use the dating service. No matter. God knew he could take care of Kaylie, or He wouldn’t have orchestrated the connection. Only God could do that.
Drew hit reply.
Kaylie,
Sounds great. Let’s talk a little bit in the next few days and get to know each other, let me know when you’re free, and I’ll clear my schedule. Can’t wait to see you.
Drew
If he were really a stranger, he would’ve written “can’t wait to meet you,” but he wouldn’t outright lie to her. She might take it hard at their first meeting. There had to be some give in her, or the meetup wouldn’t have been scheduled at a
ll. Even though she’d had to make sure he wasn’t the Drew she knew from The Bean. Except he was. Only time would tell if the shock would wear off quickly.
The day after Christmas—not nearly a long enough absence—Kaylie swept into the shop wearing a Pinterest-worthy outfit and gathering Addi and Liberty around her like a mother hen. The heavy feeling that accompanied her settled over Addi’s shoulders and hit like a hammer at her temples. Kaylie gently pushed them both toward the back room, even though customers sat in the front, and shouldn’t be left alone.
“But,” Liberty tried to speak up, but Kaylie cut her off.
“Quiet, I’ve got news!”
This behavior wasn’t new to Addi, Kaylie often hid in the back room and wanted to chat. Addi indulged her if the shop was close to empty, but not usually when they were so packed. Drew hadn’t even arrived yet, and many of the booths were taken. The Bean had seen a surge in customers in the last week. It was likely that the employees at the other stores had no idea what their boss was really like though, and the open-mouthed confusion on Liberty’s face confirmed it.
Liberty piped up first, with some hesitation. She always liked to guess. “You’ve gotten back together with Julien?” Her eyes were wide, yet confused. Addi ducked and hid her face behind her hand to keep from saying anything. Kaylie never wasted time on the past, and they both knew Julien was long gone.
“No, of course not.” Kaylie scrunched her face and blinked a few times, then sighed and went on with her story. “I signed up for that dating site and got a match! We’ll be meeting this week.” She squealed loud enough for jets flying above to hear.
“Oh, that’s wonderful!” Liberty clapped her hands together, then fidgeted with her sleeve, probably doing her best to keep from hugging her boss, which Kaylie would never find acceptable. Addi found it refreshing, and more than a little funny.