Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 37200 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 149(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37200 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 149(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
SIXTEEN
Millie
“Thanks for coming. See you next time,” I tell one of my regulars, an older gentleman who comes in after the morning rush is over, staying till he’s had two coffees, a croissant, and read the newspaper front to back.
“See you tomorrow, Millie.” Customers like Rick are what makes me wake up each morning, excited to come to work every day. Well, there’s a plethora of reasons, really—the smell of coffee brewing, the making of a different drink every time someone orders, the books that give me life on the rare occasion I get to sit down for a few minutes. It’s my dream that I’m hoping becomes a reality. Another thing on my to-do list if I can make Books and Brew my own: add more food to the small variety of croissant and muffins. Maybe see if I can find a local bakery that wouldn’t mind me buying off them at a discounted rate while advertising their name, a little tit for tat type of deal.
I’ve already talked to Nessa on my way to work, so my AirPods are put away. Ezra dropping me off here on his to the office made my morning smoother and had me in an upbeat mood, especially after last night and his multiple surprises. I grab the broom, turn the music up a smidge on the overhead speakers, listening to one of the queens of deep, raspy music singing about summertime and the livin is easy. If only that were true. A girl can manifest it, so that’s exactly what I’ll do while cleaning up the shop to save me some time later. Since Ezra made room for me at his house, I’m going to do the same. Well, maybe not buy the exact products he uses; they’re not the drugstore brand, and now that my credit is being thoroughly scrutinized, I’m not using any credit cards or making crazy purchases. The shop is empty now that Rick is gone. I use the handle of the broom and do a little move of my hips while singing, figuring I’ve got plenty of time until a new customer comes in. Completely lost in the song, forgetting about everything, there isn’t a care in my world. It’s just me, the music, and my broomstick turned microphone.
“Millie, Millie, Millicent.” I turn around. The only person who calls me Millicent besides my grandmother is Ezra. Okay, I take that back. I only allow those two, and Nessa doesn’t count. We both prefer to use our childhood nicknames we use with our ridiculous long names. At least she had an easier last name. In school, it was such a pain in the ass to have to explain to them how to say and spell not only my first but my last name as well.
“Oh, uh, I thought you were in meetings all day.” I abruptly stop my dancing, wiping my now sweaty palms along my jeans, one then the other. Ezra is standing there in his suit I watched him put on today. He showed me the ropes on how to tie a Windsor knot. I almost gave up until he sat me on the counter, my thighs spread open for his body, and walked me through it again and again until I got the hang of it.
“They were rescheduled. Mom, this is my girlfriend, Millie. Millie, this is my mom, Krista.” It’s a good thing I know Krista is down to earth, cool as a cucumber, and loves her boys unconditionally, because this is kind of embarrassing after she watched me dance for who knows how long. Thank you, best friend of mine, for also letting me know the woman may be in her sixties but still looks like a smoke show. I make a mental note to remind myself to ask her what she does in the skin care department, because I’m not seeing a single wrinkle anywhere.
“Hi, Mrs. Hudson, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” I smile brightly as I walk closer to them, broom still in hand, while the other reaches out to shake hers. Never mind the fact that Ezra freaking Hudson just introduced me to his mom as his girlfriend. The man who wanted zero labels is quite literally changing his tune in every single way.
“None of that Mrs. Hudson stuff. I’m Krista. It’s great to finally put a face to your name. Between Ezra, Nessa, and Parker, I’ve heard about you so much that I feel like we’re practically friends already.” Forget shaking hands. Krista Hudson does the least of what I expect, pulling me in for a hug and holding me for a moment. My eyes are locked on Ezra. He’s standing to our side, and she whispers, “Thank you for taking care of my boy.” I swear the tears would come if I didn’t think Ezra would lose his shit and think his mom made me cry. I nod in response instead, taking a deep breath, and then step back.