Page 10 of Holding On

Great. A thumbs up. I guess it beats waking up to a short note and an empty bed. I’ve tried to get her to talk to me since that kiss, but I also know she avoids me like the plague. A handful of times she has sent me text messages that I suspect are on the rare occasion when she’s been drinking, but then the next day it goes back to radio silence, or a cold brush off.

Would she respond differently if she knew that I hadn’t been with anyone since our kiss? I don’t want to scare her away, but I can’t really see myself with anyone except Tinsley. I don’t know what that would—or could—look like, but her avoiding me is not a great start. If I can’t be with Tinsley, I would rather be alone than settle for something that would fall short of what her and I could be—and have—together.

CHAPTER SIX

“How long do you have until you need to pick up Eloise?” I ask my sister as we take a small step forward in line and wait our turn to order our coffee. There are certain things that feel like home in Forrest Falls, and our coffee shop on Main Street is one of them—down to the white oak plank flooring that I’m sure would have incredible stories to tell if it could talk. But thankfully, Java Jive is a safe haven from the listening ears of the world, other than typical small-town gossip. It’s different than other coffee shops outside of my hometown, I can relax here, at least a little.

It’s been an insane month for our sister Savannah, followed so closely after everything that happened with Vivian earlier this year. I still can’t believe someone shot Vivi, but thankfully, she’s fully healed and there’s no permanent damage to her bicep. I wanted to make sure we had time to actually sit down and have a conversation, and what better place than the best—and only—coffee shop in town.

“I have about an hour, so this worked out perfectly,” Vivian replies after double checking the time on her watch just as we step up to order.

“Hi. Welcome to Java Jive. What can I get you?” the cheerful barista asks us, but I notice her shifting her weight, and her eyes widen when Vivian and I step up to the counter. It’s not uncommon for people to get nervous if they know who I am from the magazines and celebrity bullshit, but it’s slightly unheard of to run into it in Forrest Falls.

But I don’t think I recognize this barista, even if I somehow feel like I should. She has dark auburn hair, darker than Tinsley’s red hair, and some added dark purple streaks that probably have some fancy name for the color other than purple. Her bright green eyes jump between my sister and I before Vivian speaks up.

“Hi, I’d love a large iced Americano with sugar-free hazelnut and cream, please. And then whatever my brother’s having.” Vivian looks up to me and the little shit even has her phone out ready to tap to pay.

“Unless you’re getting ready to take a selfie of us, put your phone away, Vivian Grace,” I growl at her, and she doesn’t hold back her laughter in response.

“I have money, Jack. I can buy you coffee.”

“I have feet and could walk to Nashville for my meeting tomorrow, but I’ll use my car because that’s how things work around here. It’s called manners, Viv. I invited you out to meet me.” She rolls her eyes but puts her phone away.

“Sorry about that, my sister thinks she’s hilarious,” I say to the barista that’s patiently waiting for me to order and not bicker with Viv.

“I know I’m hilarious, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She grins at the barista. “I’m sorry, we haven’t met yet and now we are bickering like children too. Quite an impression, I’m sure. Hi, I’m Vivian.” She puts her hand out and the barista glances down at it before reaching to shake her hand.

“Yes, I mean, I know. Everyone seems to know everyone in this town. I’m Cami and still meeting the locals of Forrest Falls.” She gives Vivian a small smile and I follow suit, before reaching out my own hand.

“And I’m Jack Callahan, brother to this comedian.”

“Nice to meet you both. What can I get for you, Jack?”

“I’d love a medium flat white.” I pause to glance at the display case to check what pastries are still in stock. “And two cinnamon rolls for here, please.”

“Sounds good. If you give me a few minutes, I’ll run your order out to your table as soon as the rolls are reheated,” Cami calls over her shoulder as she starts making our drinks at the espresso machine. I tap to pay and we both thank her before we sit at one of the wooden tables by one of the large front windows that overlook Main Street.

“Am I supposed to know who she is?” I ask Viv once we’re seated, tilting my head to the barista.

Vivian shakes her head. “No, I think she’s pretty new to town in general. She started working here, I don’t know, maybe two months ago? It might even be less than that.”

“Okay, good.” Vivian gives me a quizzical look at my response. “I thought she was like the daughter of someone I should recognize, but I couldn’t place her. I just felt like I was supposed to know who she is.”

“Hm. Maybe she reminds you of someone else you know? She’s not from around here.”

“Maybe. I can’t put my finger on it.” I watch Cami as she works behind the counter, but nothing is clicking into place to answer how or where I would know her from. I look away as she carries a tray with our drinks and food so I don’t look like a creep.

“Here you go,” Cami says as she sets our drinks and cinnamon rolls down.

“Thanks, Cami,” Vivian cheerfully tells her, before she quickly says you’re welcome and scurries away.

“She’s … a bit different.” I try to find the words to describe the odd interaction.

“The word I think you’re looking for is skittish,” Vivian supplies before taking a drink from her straw.

“Yes, that is the word, but it doesn’t explain why.”

My sister shakes her head. “I don’t know either, but at least now I’ve introduced myself instead of enabling her avoidance. Maybe she’s just really, really shy.”