Page 21 of November

The door swung open, and a customer walked in.

“One sec,” she said to India. “Hi. How can I help you?”

“Bathroom?” the woman asked.

“In the back on the left,” Maisie replied.

The woman nodded and walked in that direction.

“Does that happen a lot?” India asked.

“Honestly, not as much anymore. The store moving in next door helped. Most people pee there now, I’d imagine. But it used to happen all the time since your lobby doesn’t let people use the bathroom.”

“Security thing,” India offered in explanation.

“Back to thefamilything. What is a formal family?”

India sighed and said, “You dress up for most dinners, which you eat in the formal dining room and usually have the staff prepare, deliver, and clean up. No elbows on the table. You call your parents ‘Mother’ and ‘Father’ when in certain company; never ‘Mommy’ and ‘Daddy,’ even when you’re young. You attend certain society events. It’s all very cliché.”

“And that wasyourfamily?”

“Still is. I just don’t always participate. And I cook for myself now, so I can put my elbows wherever I want.”

Maisie laughed and said, “So, you wanted to browse?”

“I guess I just wanted to get out of the office. I had lunch with–” India stopped. “My brother. It didn’t go well. But then, I was getting back to the office, and in the lobby, I found my ex-girlfriend with her new girlfriend, and I just needed to turn around and take a breath.”

“Oh. Your ex-girlfriend works for Southern?”

“So does her new girlfriend,” India revealed. “It’s been interesting recently.”

“I’d say so. Is that how you met? Through work?”

“Yeah. Finley is in IT. I’m in business development. We met, and we’ve been on and off ever since. Recently, she told me we were off for good, and I reacted poorly.” India stepped back. “I’m sorry. This is all really personal, and I’m at your place of business, just dropping this on you.”

“No, it’s okay,” Maisie replied. “I asked. And I’m not exactly busy. Aside from Lainey, there’s one other person in here with us, and she’s in the bathroom, so I’ve got the time. What do you mean you reacted poorly?”

“I thought we’d get back together how we always do, so I madeadvances, which she turned down, and I’m still a little embarrassed by it all.”

“Is her new girlfriend a bitch, at least?” Maisie joked.

“I wish. Molly is actually really great. I liked her before she started dating my ex, and I still do.”

“Wait. Molly, who works at Southern Roastery? Molly in HR?”

“Yes, how did you–”

“She’s been in here a bunch. Not recently, now that I think about it, but she used to come in, like, once every few weeks.”

“She’s probably busy with Finley.”

“Oh, sorry,” Maisie said.

“It’s okay. I’m good now.”

“So, it was a while ago, then?”

“Not really,” India said. “Weeks, not months.”