Page 46 of Last Letters to Ara
Just then, the new girl becomes my favorite fucking person on this Earth when she walks into the kitchen with a wave, shutting them right up with her southern accented words, “Hey, guys! I’m Lou. Karen asked me to come in tonight for my onboarding.”
Lou has the clearest blue eyes I’ve ever seen, made more striking by her light blonde, ringlet curls and tanned skin. Her smile is infectious, and I find myself returning it instantly. She’s wearing a graphic tee that reads “A yawn is a silent scream for coffee” and maybe it’s her obvious sense of humor or laid-back demeanor, but I’m instantly at ease around her.
“I’m Ara, and I’ll be showing you the ropes tonight. This is Dan, our dishwasher, and this is Joel, our cook. Do your best to ignore them.”
They shoot me badly acted looks of hurt, but approval shines out from them.
“Nice to meet you guys,” Lou says with an open smile, the kind of genuineness you don’t see very often anymore.
“I’ll show you where you can leave your stuff.”
“That’d be great because I packedwaytoo much shit into this bag, and I think my shoulder is about to fall off,” Lou groans.
I laugh, the only encouragement she needs.
“You know those first-day nerves where you’re like ‘what the fuck do I bring’ so you end up with like ten tampons even though you haven’t started your period, a flashlight, and a hot pink highlighter JUST IN CASE.”
“I consider myself lucky if I even make it to somewhere new.” I snort, surprising myself a little with the honest interaction.
Leading her to the staff room, I move my stuff so she can use my old cubby (yes, I know that’s a kindergarten word, but it’s a goddamn cubby, there is no other way to describe it) and find her a clean apron. The cleaning closet is what I show Lou next, also serving as the laundry. The washing machine is ancient, so I teach her the right places to jiggle the toggles, hoping to save her from having to ask Karen.
“The guys seem cool.” Lou makes easy conversation as I show her the rounds.
“Theyarecool. Thecoolest,actually.” I might miss this café, just a little. “But don’t tell them I said that.”
Lou grins. “Your secret is safe with me.”
And I believe her.
• • •
Tonight is proving to be a slow night, so I spend most of the shift teaching Lou what I do when there aren’t customers. I feel bad for subjecting her to Karen when she seems like such a cool person, but I remind myself that Dan and Joel will be looking out for her. Plus, Lou seems like a hard worker, and she knows her way around a café. If Karen could like anyone, it would be Lou.
We are just finishing the napkin folding when Lou squeals and says, “We finally have a customer.”
It’s as if my body has already memorized the change in atmosphere that happens when he enters a room. My cells are instantly alive. My skin is humming. My heart is slamming. I don’t need to turn around to know that it’s Theo who just walked in.
“Do you remember what to say?” I whisper to Lou.
“Yep! I’ve got this.” She grabs her notepad and heads out with confidence.
“Good,” I say to no one, still lost in my body’s reaction.
I take a moment to settle myself before turning around. This is the longest I’ve gone without seeing Theo since we became friends, and incidentally, it’s right after we made that deal on Valentine’s Day.
Although nothing physical happened, I know there has been a shift between us. The only way I’ll find out if it’s been a shift toward awkwardness, a shift toward tearing each other’s clothes off, or a shift toward deeper friendship is by going out there and talking to him.
Once my breathing is even enough, I turn around, eyes landing on him instantly as if they know exactly where to look. Theo stops mid-coffee order, setting those deep green eyes on me, sending my stomach straight into my shoes.
“Hey, stranger,” he says with a little half smile. I know Theo didn’t intend for that to come out so sensually, yet here I am, a hair’s breadth away from panting, as usual.
Lou looks between us. “Are you a regular here?”
Theo doesn’t look away from me. “Of sorts.”
“Actually, he’s a friend of mine.” I’vereallymissed him.
That feeling of a puzzle piece slipping into place when he’s around stirs that monster under my skin, sensing someone has gained some power over my feelings. I stay quiet, hoping it goes back to sleep, while Theo finishes his coffee order.
