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“That’s what he says, yeah.” She brushed a purple strand behind her ear and blushed.

“And he means it.”

“Yeah. You’re probably right. Listen, Bee, can you forward these images to me? I think you are onto something here.”

“Just like that?”

“I trust your gut feeling. And the worst that can happen is that nothing will come of it. But I learned to seize an opportunity life drops in your way.” She handed my phone back.

“Thanks, Maeve.”

“Start thinking about a name for the place, yeah? I’ll go help Stella.” We both looked over at our new hire.

She placed a cup of coffee and a slice of our red velvet cake on a tray for a customer. The attractive polar fox hybrid in a deep-neck shirt said something to make her laugh, then turned and chose a table by the rain-lashed windows.

“Stella did great today,” I told Maeve in a carrying voice and saw our colleague grin even wider as she wiped down the machine for the next customer.

“She’s a win for Scales & Steam,” Maeve agreed with me.

“Breeze & Beans.” My boss stared at me for a moment then broke out in fits of laughter.

“You and I are so alike, Beryl. Love that name. I’ll text Samuel and tell him to enquire about the property. Now go! Your shift ended twenty minutes ago.” We hugged.

“Thanks Maeve. See you tomorrow.”

I informed Kjartan as soon as I was on the bus home.

Bee: I showed Maeve the pictures

Bee: she’s enquiring about it

Bee: I don’t know if anything will come of it

Bee: I kind of hope it will

Kjartan: I want to date you

What?

Kjartan: I’ve been meaning to tell you before you left

Kjartan: I really want to date you, Bee

Bee: me too!

Bee: Let’s do this, okay?

Bee: Ignore me if it’s too much but…

Bee: Do you want to see me on the weekend?

Bee: Because I really want to see you

Bee: Even though I’m still so sore

Kjartan: I’m sorry

Bee: I loved it! All of the weekend with you.