Page 13 of Right Where You Left Me

Sage

E mma is humming. She’s working on pastry prep in the kitchen, and she won’t stop fucking humming.

I’ve been here for about an hour, Piper called me in because one of the kids is sick and she needed me to cover for her today.

I didn’t have any clients booked until later this afternoon, so I couldn’t tell her no.

I’m not that big of a bitch. But now, here I am, trying extremely hard to be annoyed by the fact that the gorgeous little elf in the kitchen is humming away while she bakes annoyingly delicious treats.

Focus. We open soon and I can’t get distracted by Emma and her…

Emma-ness. I’ve just never been here early enough to watch her in her element like this.

Usually by the time I’m coming in to help, things are in the oven and she’s helping Piper finish up cafe prep as it opens.

But now, here she is, absolutely shining in her natural habitat. And I hate that I can’t stop staring.

Her arms flex as she rolls out dough on the counter, her head bopping along as she continues humming to whatever song is playing in her headphones.

Her nose scrunches as she slices through it, rolling each piece into a little ball, and all I want to do is kiss that tiny wrinkle.

I want to map out every single freckle that decorates her cheeks.

There was a time in our lives that I knew exactly where and how many she had sprinkled on her face, but I know there have to be new ones.

I just… I want her. And I really fucking hate that.

It’s easier to stay angry and closed off.

It’s my defense mechanism, a way to protect myself from the straight girl that broke my heart.

I soak in the sight of her for one last little moment before I force myself to look away and let myself get distracted with work. I’m finishing up stocking all the cups and coffee sleeves when I hear soft cursing coming from the kitchen.

“You okay back there?” I yell as I walk toward the front door. I flip the open sign and unlock the door, smiling at a handful of regulars waiting outside for us to open.

“Yeah.” I hear, muffled by the music starting to play through the speakers. “I knocked the table and my phone fell. Cracked the screen.” She says with a pout, showing me her broken phone.

“Pity.” I say and walk toward the espresso machine, double checking the milk and beans are stocked and ready. “You’re working register today.”

“Gee, Emma. I’m so sorry to hear about your phone.” She mutters under her breath as she takes her spot behind the counter.

I roll my eyes. Maybe it won’t be as hard to keep hating her as I thought it would be.

“Americano. No room.” A gruff voice barks and I grin over at the old man standing in front of Emma.

His gray hair thinning at the top, and although his words sound demanding and rude, his dark eyes are sparkling with mirth and kindness.

I love that old fucker. He’s been coming here ever since Piper opened, every morning without fail.

“Why good morning to you too, Arthur.” Emma says with a grin. “Getting your cinnamon roll as well?”

“Not today. My wife told me to watch my sugar.” He says glumly. “So, I really shouldn’t.” He looks over at the pastry case, and you’d think that cinnamon roll was solid gold with the way he’s gazing at it.

“Arthur. Why didn’t you tell me you had to watch your sugar? I can make sugar free rolls just for you!” Emma says and I try to ignore her enthusiasm while I make the americano. She isn’t thoughtful and kind. And… pretty. She’s selfish and… Goddammit, she’s walking over here.

“What?” I ask sharply. She flinches and shakes her head. Nooooo, don’t look so sad, I can’t fucking do this when she looks like a kicked puppy.

“I just wanted to?—”

“We have more customers, Emma. Whatever it is you have to say can wait.” Please, go away. I need you to leave me alone.

She frowns, her brow wrinkling with the expression, and it’s not cute.

It’s not . I don’t want to smooth it away with my thumb.

Or kiss it. Definitely don’t want to do that.

“I was going to tell you that Margie just walked in if you wanted to start her tea since it needs to steep for five minutes, but whatever Sage. Fuck you too.”

“Hey!” I start to protest, but she’s already back at the register, not looking at me.

Good, that’s perfect. Just stay over there.

I take a deep breath through my nose and get Margie’s tea started.

Emma works through the line of customers and we pass the rest of the morning, thankfully, without having to speak again.

I grab a clean rag from the tub of sanitizing liquid we keep under the espresso machine and start wiping down the counters as soon as there’s a lull.

I bop my head along to the soft music playing, letting myself get lost in the monotony of this job.

Emma thankfully stays by the register, fiddling with the cups and staring off toward the door.

This is great. This is what I need from her.

Space and silence. I don’t want to be friendly.

It’s painful and I hate the twisty feeling I get in my stomach whenever she tries.

It’s confusing and I don’t like thinking about these old feelings.

I just want to live my life and ignore the fact that she can make me feel like this.

I steal a glance at her again, she’s restocking coffee sleeves and fidgeting trying to keep herself busy with how slow things have gotten. “You can go back to the kitchen.” I blurt out. “I can handle things until the lunch rush.”

“Alright.” She says softly, setting the remaining paper sleeves she’s holding in the container and floating back to her domain.

I called her an elf earlier, and it’s a pretty accurate description for her.

She just has this weird ethereal quality to her when she’s in there.

Like she’s this mystical being that’s full of whimsical energy.

Put here to bake us mere mortals delicious treats to lure us into… I swallow. God, I need to get a grip.

Time drags on, and thankfully when the lunch rush hits we’re too busy to talk to each other again. We get through the line of customers without any issues and I let out a relieved breath. Seems like we will get through today just fine after all .

I hear a throat clear behind me and I stiffen. “Sage?”

“What, Emma?” I ask, spinning to face her.

She frowns slightly. “I just wanted to talk to you. I need to say?—”

“Emma, please. For the love of God, will you just leave me alone?!” I snap. “I don’t know why you can’t understand that I don’t want to fucking talk to you. Has anything I have said or done given you any indication that I want you here? That I want to be having a friendly conversation?”

“You know what, Sage.” She snaps back, her cheeks flushing pink in anger.

“No. I’m not going to let you talk to me like that.

I’m not going to just let you dictate what’s going to happen just because you’re angry with me.

We need to move past this! If we’re going to be working here together, then— Then we need to at least be able to have a civil conversation! ”

“No, we don’t. We don’t need to talk at all. Piper can tell you what’s needed of you while you’re here, and I’m just here to help out. Literally no reason for the two of us to speak.”

“You are still so fucking stubborn.” She says and stomps her foot.

And oh God, I have to fight really hard not to smile at her.

She’s still as tenacious as she used to be, and for some reason it’s that foot stomp that has me wanting to keep fighting.

Why does she have to be cute? It’s a crime honestly.

“Why do you still have such a problem with me?” She asks.

“This isn’t the place or the time to get into that, Emma.” I say, motioning to the customers dining in the cafe. They don’t need to be privy to this conversation.

“Fine. But we need to talk this out, Sage. This isn’t a healthy work environment.

I don’t want to have to walk on eggshells around you, while I’m supposed to be focusing on my job.

And, believe it or not, I really do love this place.

This job is important to me, and I don’t want to risk it over something that we can resolve if you’d just let me say my piece. ”

“That’s fair, I guess.” I take a deep breath and nod. “Fine.” I say a little firmer than I probably need to. “If you really think we need to talk this out, then you can meet me later this evening at the tattoo shop and we’ll talk there.”

“Okay. Great. Thank you.” She smiles softly, and some of the tension that was on her face melts away.

She turns back to the register, and we both work in silence the rest of the day.

But, things don’t feel as awkward as they did before.

I won’t call it pleasant by any means, but it’s… It’s just… different.

“Sage. You’re giving me a headache. Will you please just sit the fuck down and relax?” River says without looking up from the tablet he’s sketching on.

“You can’t even see me, asshole.”

“I can, in my peripheral.” He says waving a hand at me. “What’s your deal? Your pacing is giving me second hand stress.”

“Emma is coming.” I say, chewing on my cuticles. It’s a disgusting habit, but I’ve done it for so long it’s too hard to quit. Thankfully I only do it when I’m stressed the fuck out, like right now. “She wants to talk about what happened.”

“And you’re scared of the tiny baker?” He chuckles, as if my life isn’t about to implode.

“Fuck off, River. You know why I’m freaking out.”

He sighs, setting his tablet down. He gets up and stops my pacing with a hand to my shoulder. “You’re right. I’m sorry, c’mere” His strong arms wrap around me and I lean into his big body. “I shouldn’t be teasing you, I’m a dick.”

I nod against him. “You are. You’re the biggest asshole I know.” I say, but look up to smile at him so he knows I’m kidding.