Merry with a Brewmaster (The Love Beach Holiday Collection)

16. Vienna

16

VIENNA

T he morning is chilly as I duck into Cakeology and make a beeline for Saige Reiser—Wells’s cousin and my newly hired real estate agent.

“I’m so sorry I’m late,” I breathe out. “Drop-off was awful this morning. I had to run home and then go back to drop Haven’s lunch off to her.” Saige laughs as I throw my coat over the back of the chair. “I’m just going to grab a coffee. Can I get you anything?”

“I’m good. Thank you though.”

I nod and hustle to the counter where Poppy is working alongside her cousin, Marigold, and order the biggest vanilla chai latte on the menu.

“Are you looking for properties for your shop?” Marigold whispers with a raised brow and I nod.

“I’m finally taking the plunge,” I confirm and she squeals, drawing Poppy’s attention and forcing me to act like I don’t know everything about her because Jace talks about her nonstop.

“Oh hey, you’ve met my cousin, Poppy, right?” she asks and I give her an obligatory smile.

“I’m Vienna. I’m friends with Jace. He said y’all are goin’ to the dance at the fire department.”

Her lips curl up into a sly grin. “We are. It’s nice to put a face with the name—he talks about you a lot.”

I have no doubt. Especially considering he freaked out and made me meet him at the bar before noon. Wells had been less than thrilled to see us together, but Jace needed me and so, I was there.

We’d become unintentional friends and then best friends by choice. Poppy was going to have to get over any insecurities in that regard because I didn’t plan on going anywhere and neither did he.

“Here’s your latte,” Marigold says, handing the drink to me. “Good luck!”

I thank her and give Poppy a wave before heading back to the table and making a mental note to talk to Jace.

“Sorry about that,” I say as I take my seat. Saige brushes her dark hair over her shoulder and stifles a yawn.

“Don’t worry,” she replies as she sits up straighter. “I’ll probably have to get a caffeine IV put in if my new neighbor doesn’t quit it with the all-night concert.”

“I’m sorry, what?” I ask as I take a sip of my drink and notice the dark circles under her eyes that she’s covered up with foundation.

“The guy plays in a band and thinks that one in the morning is the perfect time for a jam session.”

“Want me to yell at him for you?”

She laughs, her shoulders relaxing as she picks up her pen. “No, but I appreciate the offer. I’ve been hoping to avoid a confrontation, but it looks like I’ll have to bite the bullet if I ever want to sleep again.”

“That sounds awful.”

She waves a hand like she’s batting the thought away. “Enough about me. Tell me what you’re looking for and let’s see what we can find.”

Over the next hour, she listens to my dreams and hopes for my flower shop. She takes notes as I lay out the ideal floor plan and need for storage. And she smiles when I tell her about the people I hope to see enjoying my bouquets and centerpieces.

It is both cathartic and terrifying, voicing everything out loud and giving life to something I never thought could happen.

“I’m going to check on something and then I’ll be in touch. The market here moves fast, so just keep that in mind when we start viewing properties.”

“Thank you. I can’t believe we’re finally here,” I gush as we stand, and she slips on a cropped black leather jacket.

“It’s my pleasure,” she says, leading me outside and pausing in front of the shop window. “I know I said it before, but thank you for everything you’ve done for Haven and Wells. She shines so much brighter these days.”

“Of course. She’s amazing and I love spending time with her. Plus, it’s been a while since someone was so interested in learning from me. Sewing isn’t usually a hot-button topic.”

Saige laughs and I grin. We’d spent plenty of time together over the last couple of months, making sure Haven was cared for while Wells worked at Love Beach Brews. We’d formed a routine of our own, and like I’d told Wells, spending time with Haven wasn’t a hardship.

“Well, I just want to say thank you. Haven’s suffered so much with Kim’s indifference, and it’s just refreshing to have someone else that’s reliable on our team.”

“I’m definitely on Team Haven,” I say with a chuckle as I shove my hands in the pockets of my coat.

“What about Team Wells?” she asks, not bothering to hide her amusement when my eyes widen and my lips part.

“So, he told you about the summer then?” Saige nods and I blow out a breath. “Things are complicated now.”

“Because of Haven?”

“Partly. She’s been through so much, and we’ve worked really hard to provide her with stability, and Wells and I being together would definitely shift the balance.”

“Sometimes it’s fun to rock the boat.”

“Maybe,” I relent with a shrug, “but the timing would have to be right, and Wells and I haven’t talked about any of that.”

“Well, let’s get you a flower shop and then you can figure out the rest.”

“Deal.”