Page 15 of Right Where You Left Me

Emma

T o say that the environment in the cafe has improved since Sage and I were able to lay everything on the table, would be an understatement.

I wouldn’t call us best friends again or anything, but she’s no longer snapping at me and when I start conversations with her, she’s actually— nice.

She smiles at me. I’ve heard her laugh, because of something I said. It’s making me feel… things.

I’m noticing more about her now that she doesn’t make an effort to stay away from me.

Like the way the corners of her eyes crease when she teases me.

The way her nose twitches when she laughs.

Those hazel eyes sparkling like polished river rocks underneath the lights in the cafe whenever I’m close enough to her to really look at them.

She’s so achingly beautiful, a piece of art just like the ink that decorates her tanned skin.

I clear my throat and refocus my attention on the dough that’s done proofing and start rolling it out.

My cinnamon rolls have been the biggest hit since I started working here and I’ve found that I need to prep a second batch to bake later in the morning so that we have enough to last through the later breakfast surge.

I’m cutting the rolls from the log when Sage barrels into the kitchen.

“I know, I know! I’m grabbing it!” She yells through the open door before she turns her attention on me and rolls her eyes.

“You’d think that Piper would be nicer to me, considering I’m here helping out of the goodness of my heart.

” Her tone is teasing and I know that she actually really does want to be here to help her sister out.

I may not know her like I used to, but one thing about Sage is that she doesn’t do anything she doesn’t want to.

I laugh, setting the rolls in a baking dish, and shake my head at her.

Her hair is tied back in a tiny knot at the back of her head, the green swirling in the black, and tiny wisps hang at her temples from where the hair was too short to reach the elastic.

She leans down to grab the container of cold brew that’s on the bottom rack in the fridge and I try so hard, I really do, to not stare at the way her pants stretch across her butt. Her fantastic, perfectly round butt.

She heaves the carafe up, looking back at me.

“Smells really good in here, Em.” She says, giving me a small smile as she walks back out into the cafe, oblivious to my ogling thank goodness.

I quickly set the buns to the side for their final proof, set my timer, and head back out into the cafe to finish up my shift.

I only have two more hours left until I’m off, and only one of those spent here with Sage.

I’ve been fighting with myself all morning about whether or not this idea I have is a smart one.

We only just started being friendly again, I don’t want to push her too much.

But, I’m dying to hang out with her, to really spend time with her.

We had so much fun when we were younger, and she’s only gotten cooler.

I just, miss her and I want to spend time outside of this place with her.

The timer going off has me jarring back to reality, my face burning when I realize I had been on autopilot for the last hour.

I excuse myself, Sage taking my place at the register while Piper makes drinks.

I grab the rolls, checking that they rose properly before I set them in the preheated oven and set another timer.

I take a deep breath. Okay. I can do this.

All I’m doing is asking Sage if she wants to hang out with me.

That’s not so difficult. It’s in fact, incredibly easy. Just— Just do it, Emma.

I peek through the doorway and stare at Sage for just a moment.

She’s gesturing wildly, laughing with the customer at the counter.

I smile to myself and wait as she finishes ringing him up and then I make my move.

I walk up beside her and lean into her shoulder, slightly bumping into it.

“Hey, I wanted to ask you something.” I say softly.

She bumps my shoulder back with hers. “What’s up?”

“Would you want to hang out? Maybe grab a drink or something?”

“Oh, um…” Her brow creases, her mouth twisting to the side and my stomach drops. She’s going to say no.

“Just, two friends hanging out!” I spit out before she can turn me down.

“Or even, with your friends? I just want to get to know you again, Sage. Learn who you are outside of this building. If that’s…

if that’s okay with you.” I murmur the last part.

My stomach is churning with anxiety now.

This was a bad idea. I shouldn’t have asked.

Things were going so well, and here I am pushing like I said I wouldn’t.

Of course she’s going to say no. Just because we can finally get along at work doesn’t mean that we’re actually friends. I’m so stupid.

She lets out a breath. “Um.” She shifts her weight on her feet before the tension in her shoulders relaxes. “There’s actually an art walk out in the city tonight that River was going to drag Peyton and me to. You could come. If you want.” She says, shrugging her shoulders.

“I’d love that!” I say, and even I know I’m being too loud. I can’t help it though, I’m way too excited. This is going to be so great, and the slight blush on Sage’s cheeks tells me that she thinks so too. “What time should I meet you guys there?”

“Everything kicks off at six tonight, but we’re going to get there around seven.” She rubs the back of her neck, her cheeks getting even darker. “Give me your phone and I’ll put my number in there.”

I grin, handing it over. Her thumbs move quickly as she texts herself from my phone. Her fingers graze mine as she hands it back to me and I muffle a gasp because I swear it’s like she shocked me.

“Alright, now you have my number. I’ll text you all the details and we’ll see you there.”

“Yes. Great, I’ll see you there.” I say, a little breathlessly.

The rest of my shift flows quickly. Sage left pretty soon after we exchanged numbers, and now I’m just finishing up the last bit of clean up in the kitchen before I’m done for the day.

“Anything else you need me to do before I leave, Piper?” I ask, throwing my flour covered apron in the ‘dirty’ bin.

“No, thanks though! Enjoy the rest of your day, Emma.”

“Oh, Piper?”

She looks up at me with a quirked brow that makes me smile because it’s such a Sage expression. The two look so much alike. “I was wondering if it would be possible to set a time to discuss maybe expanding the menu? I have a few ideas that I think would do really well.”

“Oh.” She says, her eyes widening. “Of course. I’ll check the calendar and we can set up a meeting. Thanks for all the hard work, Emma. Really, you’re doing amazing.”

“Thank you.” I say with a grin. “I really like it here. I feel like it’s a good fit.”

“I agree.” She smiles back and shoos me with her hands. “Now, go home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I nod and do one more check to make sure I’m leaving her a clean space before I go.

The drive back home is short, no where in this town is very far from each other, but it’s long enough to have me obsessing over tonight. What if she only invited me to be nice? What if it ends up being a disaster?

I park my car in the driveway and lean my head against the steering wheel, trying to compose myself before I go inside.

Sage wouldn’t have invited me if she didn’t want me to come.

It’ll be fine… I hope. I take a deep breath and meander into the house, trying to avoid my mom.

I am not that lucky and when she sees me, she immediately senses that I’m stressed out and in only the way that she can, hovers.

“What’s got you so tense, hun?” She asks, quirking a brow. “Was work stressful? Bad day?”

“What? Oh, no. I’m fine, Mom.”

“You sure? You seem off. Your energy is,” She waves her hands around my head, “discombobulated.”

“Is that a technical term for it?”

“Emma Gale.” She says sternly.

I can’t help but laugh at her. “Sorry. Nothing is wrong, I promise.”

She huffs. “Do you need me to make you lunch?”

I sigh. She’s not going to let this go. “Lunch sounds great. I’m going to shower real quick and I’ll be down soon.”

She nods, a pleased smile on her face. She’s always been an over the top caretaker.

Even with my dad before he got sick. My mother is the kind of person that would give the shirt off her back to someone, and if I can make her feel better by letting her take care of me, then I’ll let her. Energy reading and all.

I shower quickly, towel drying my hair and finger brushing out my waves before I throw on some comfy clothes to lounge in until it’s time to get ready for tonight.

My mom thankfully believes that lunch was the cure to my mood and doesn’t ask me what’s wrong again.

We eat a delicious meal of pasta salad and joke around.

She tells me she wants to change up the theme of her kitchen and I don’t argue when she says she’s thinking Barnyard Chic , whatever that means.

I clear our dishes and after I have them all washed up she asks if I want to watch one of her house hunting shows with her and I agree.

And before I know it it’s time to get ready for my evening.

I stare at the outfit choices I have laid out on my bedspread.

I pinch my lower lip between my teeth, a nervous habit and the slight bite of pain has me realizing I’ve been doing it a little too often.

My eyes flick from one choice to the next: a navy romper with pant legs that I can wear a sweater over, a pair of high waisted jeans and my favorite slouchy Dolly Parton cropped t-shirt, and my favorite skinny jeans with a dark green tank top and my leather jacket.