You Mocha Me Crazy (Coffee Loft: Fall Collection)

9. Aurora

Chapter nine

Aurora

Of course, Bradley would be here when Miley Becket stops in. She was the ringleader of the Make Fun of Aurora Club. My mom had said seventh grade would be a fresh start, and I believed her. Especially when Bradley’s family moved away. A new, bigger school, a chance to make new friends . . .

Turns out, seventh grade didn’t bring the relief I’d so desperately wanted. All the kids from Piney Brook Elementary got funneled to the same junior high school in Barberville. Which meant Miley and Lauren kept up their taunting, but now they’d recruited more friends to help make my life miserable.

I furiously swipe at the tears running down my face. I am a grown woman. This is ridiculous. A silly childhood bully shouldn’t be getting me so worked up. I’m a successful business owner. She’s probably married to a snooty lawyer who is just as awful as she is. That thought makes me smile.

Ugh, I’m no better than her.

Great . My momma would be so disappointed if she knew I was thinking ill of other people.

I take a breath and step into the bathroom to splash water on my face and notice my red-rimmed eyes in the mirror. Maybe it’s time to employ those affirmations my high school guidance counselor taught me about.

I pat the water off of my face. “You are smart. You are strong. You are beautiful. You are unstoppable. No one can ruin your day.”

Yeah . . . right. I’ve always been too pudgy, too fair skinned, too busty, too . . . too something. And girls like Miley, who seem perfect from the outside, never missed an opportunity to let me know. Apparently, they grew up to be mean women, too.

Tossing the paper towel into the trash can, I hurry back out to the front. Lacey officially resigned last week, and Ashlan doesn’t come in until later, leaving me the only one here. I make a mental note to hire more part-time staff.

“Aurora, dear, what’s wrong?” My mother rushes around the counter and pulls me into her arms. “I stop in for coffee and find you looking like you just cried your eyes out.”

I let her hold me for a minute, finding comfort in the familiar touch. “I’m okay,” I say, stepping out of her arms. “Just a rough morning.”

“Did a customer yell at you?” She searches my face.

I duck my head. “Miley Becket stopped in for coffee.” I grab a towel and wipe the already clean counters.

“What did she say to you? I’m going to have another talk with her mama.” Mom’s face is red with fury. “I’ve had just about enough of those ole Becket biddies.”

“What do you mean, ‘another talk?’ Mom, please . . . tell me you didn’t.” She wouldn’t have. I asked her to stay out of it. Even back then, I knew getting my mom involved was the worst of bad ideas.

“Well, someone had to do something. That little girl made you cry all the time.” She harrumphs.

“Please, please promise me you won’t say a word to her, her mother, or anyone else for that matter. I’m a grown woman. I can handle a rude customer. It’s part of the job.” I sigh. “Promise me.”

“Fine.” Momma smooths down her dress and pats her perfectly coiffed hair. “How about a coffee to go, and a muffin. Throw one in for your father, too, if you don’t mind. He’ll love that.”

I gather everything together and hand it to her. “I love you, Mom.”

She pats my hand. “I love you, too. You just let me know, and I’ll march right over to Mrs. Becket’s house and give her a piece of my mind.”

I laugh, feeling light for the first time in the last hour. “I will.”

She nods her head. “See you later, dear. I’m off to get a pedicure.”

Mom steps out the door, and it’s like she opened the floodgates. Several customers enter at the same time, all looking harried and impatient. The line never seems to end. As soon as one customer leaves, another steps inside and stands in the back of the line.

The steady stream of customers keeps my mind off of Miley and Bradley. I’m thankful for the influx of patrons. This time last year, I was nervous the Coffee Loft might not take off. The marketing efforts I’ve put in place the last six months seem to be doing the trick, since nearly everyone is buying the special of the day.

“Hi, Aurora,” Ashlan says, as she scoots behind the counter and slips her apron on. “Seems like you’ve had a busy afternoon.”

“We’ve been steady,” I say, wiping up a pile of coffee grounds from the back counter. Things finally slowed down a bit about twenty minutes ago. “I’m thrilled.”

Thankfully, she hadn’t questioned my craziness when I’d hidden from Bradley behind the counter the other day. She’d just gone with it. Though I could see the question in her eyes. Ashlan deserves a raise for putting up with the insanity that is Aurora Maxwell these days.

She points to several dirty tables. “I’ll clean those first and then see what else you need.”

I watch as she grabs the towel and a dishpan and starts clearing the tables. Ashlan’s really stepped up since Lacey resigned. With all the changes, I’m grateful to have her on my team.

“Ashlan,” I say when she comes back behind the counter to put the dish bin away and wash her hands. “How would you feel about more hours?”

She squeals. “Seriously? I’d love that.”

“I’m thinking I’ll need an assistant manager. I’d like you to consider the position.”

She gapes at me. “Assistant manager?”

I nod. “Yes. It would mean more hours, and more responsibility. It would also mean a raise. Now that business is picking up again,” I say, nodding to the dining area, “I’m in a position to make the change.”

“I’d love to,” she says.

“Great, I’ll get everything in order, including a job description and a contract. We’ll be even busier when they’re done next door, and I’m hoping to hire a few part-time people to help us out. If you know anyone, send them my way.”

She grins. “I will. Thanks for this!” She hugs me.

“You deserve it,” I say. “I have to do the weekly order, so I’ll be in the back if you need me.”

She waves me off and gets started making a fresh pot of coffee. “I’ve got this.”

I look around the space one more time, pleased at the number of tables that are filled at this time of the afternoon. People are scattered around the room enjoying their coffee, reading or on their computers, and it makes me smile. Before I head to the back to my little office, I snag a muffin and refill my coffee.

I’ve just finished the purchase order and I’m writing up the contract for Ashlan when my phone rings. “Hello?”

“Hey,” Lacey says, sounding out of breath.

“Are you running?” Lacey never runs.

“Ha!” she shouts. “You know better than that. I just walked up the hill to the baseball field where Matti’s having his first practice. I need more cardio in my life.”

“Aren’t you allergic to cardio?” I ask. She’s been trying to get in shape since before she and Knox started dating. I know she wants to look her best for her wedding, even if Knox tells her she’s perfect just as she is. Who am I to argue? We all have our insecurities.

“Yeah, I am, but if all his practices and games are up this hill, I’ll be fit in no time.” She chuckles. “Anyway, I was calling because I’ve spoken to the girls, and we all agree that Saturday night after the Coffee Loft closes is the perfect time for a girls’ night. I’m bringing clay face mask stuff. Ashlan’s going to get some sodas and sparkling water, Anne’s bringing some deep conditioning treatments for our hair, and I’ve even got Karlee and Briella coming.”

“Uh, that many people?”

“It will be fine. These are great women, you know that. Plus, you need some time to primp and do things that make you feel good about yourself.”

I hesitate. I don’t know most of the women she listed very well. Of course I’ve seen them around town, and I’ve met them a few times when they’ve come in for coffee, but I don’t know them, know them.

“Don’t overthink it,” Lacey says, as if she’s read my mind. “See you Saturday.” She hangs up before I can think of an excuse she’d believe.

Looks like I’m having a girls’ night.