Page 28 of Storm Warning
“Good morning!” The joy in the voice behind the counter startles me out of my daze. “Welcome to Southern Sip, what can we make special for you today?” Sparkling emerald eyes look back at me, and I smile, happy to be greeted by someone who genuinely seems to enjoy being here.
I look over the menu, but find that my head hurts too much to read all of the options. I’ve seen the cashier here once before, but her name escapes me. My eyes fall to the tag pinned to her apron just below her curly black hair. “I’ll take the owner’s favorite, Ginny,” I say, hoping the request doesn’t seem odd.
She blushes. “Hoppin’ Hazelnut with sweet cream coming right up.”
Hoppin’ Hazelnut? I chuckle to myself. Another surprise. I expected black coffee over anything else.
“Hoppin’ Hazelnut it is,” I agree.
A girl with blue-black hair and less warmeyes starts to make my coffee while Ginny stays put and asks, “Are y’all friends?”
“Who?” I question and her expression shifts from happy to confused.
“You and Miss Kaylee…the owner? I saw y’all talking the other day when you came in.”
“Oh.” I let out a laugh, surprised that she remembers me. “We aren’t friends. I just figured as a coffee shop owner, she was bound to like the best drink on the menu.”
Her expression softens back into its usual happy smile. “Between you and I, she just sticks to what she knows most of the time, but I haven’t tried a single special that didn’twowme. Miss Kaylee wouldn’t let a bad drink on this menu. She’s much too particular for that.”
Of course, she is.
“But she always sticks with the same drink?”
“Like I said, she knows what she likes!” Ginny giggles.
The other barista returns to the counter and smiles, setting my drink down like it holds a dirty little secret only meant for my eyes. Removing it from the counter, I notice her number on the side and softly chuckle.
“Thanks for the hospitality ladies, y’all have a nice day.”
17
KAYLEE - JUNE 26, 2004
There isno doubt in my mind that a man invented the sound of an alarm clock, or at the very least, a woman invented it to be just as annoying as one.
Groaning, I stretch my arm out and slap the machine until it shuts up, then pull my zebra print comforter up over my head. Why would anyone ever want to be woken up like that? An awful sound when you’re being alerted to something important? Sure. But just to wake up? Absolutely not.
The right way to wake up would be the sun beaming into my room slowly, the scent of pancakes and coffee in the air, and the sounds of birds chirping a happy tune. Has that ever been my reality? Nope, but a girl can dream. Well, not today though, because my dumb ass forgot to shut off my alarm.
I could sit here, soak up the never changing silence, or I could head to the shop. I’m pretty sure that I need to check inventory anyways, and it’s the perfect excuse to not wallow in self pity because I have nothing to do.
I roll back over and flip open my phone. Five missed calls from Daisy and three unread text messages.Not sure how I didn’t wake up to all of these. I laugh, letting my amusement in my ability to sleep get the best of me as I open up the texts.
DAISY: Just wanted U 2 knw I got home safe
DAISY: Let me know U did 2
DAISY: HELLO?
My fingers clack on the keys as I formulate a response. Before I can press send, Kelly Clarkson’sMiss Independentechoes through my room. A fitting ringtone, as it’s Daisy’s favorite and reminds me of her anytime it comes on.
“Hey, Dais,” I answer, stretching my arms as I yawn.
“Oh, thank God, you’re okay.” Relief consumes her voice.
I rub the sleep from my eyes, feeling more alert hearing her panic. “Hah, yes. I’m sorry, I passed out the second I hit my bed last night and forgot to text you.”
“Well, I’m outside.”
