SAYLOR: Give me five.
ME: I was kidding.
SAYLOR: I was not.
She was not, in fact, five minutes. Almost ninety seconds after sending that text message, Saylor poked her head through the kitchen door and grabbed the frame.
“Phew. There’s this weeks’ run done.”
“What are you doing here?”
“You’re busy. We’re not so bad and all three of us are in. I’ve kicked Maverick out of the staff room and sent him to the café to get you something to eat. I can’t bake, but I can work a cash register, so Felicity can come out here and keep an eye on stuff while you sit down for ten minutes and eat.”
“You sent Maverick to the café?”
A wicked smile crossed her face. “Well, I wouldn’t be here if I’d gone, would I? Holley and Kinsley have the store sorted. Go outside and get some fresh air, I’ll switch with Felicity.”
I didn’t deserve my friends.
I waited until Felicity came out a minute later and did as she’d said, stepping out into the alleyway. It wasn’t the freshest of air thanks to the dumpsters, but I crossed to the small parking lot that provided parking spaces for our cares. I hadn’t even noticed that Maverick’s car was gone until I walked out here. Felicity was still parked out front, and that was testament to how busy we actually were.
I pulled my keys from my apron pocket and got in my car where I blasted the air conditioning until my cheeks were numb from the cold air.
I was exhausted.
I wanted Thor to jump out of a movie and carry me to bed so I didn’t have to walk up the stairs. Maybe I’d just nap in the pantry tonight. There were a lot of stairs up to my apartment.
I leaned my head back against the headrest and closed my eyes. I must have dozed off because the next thing I knew, there was a gentle knock on the passenger side window, and I jerked awake.
Maverick was standing there, looking sheepish. “Sorry,” I heard him say through the window.
I leaned over and opened the door. “Don’t worry. I didn’t intend to fall asleep.”
He held up a white bag with Johanna’s café logo on. “I didn’t know what you order, so I asked her for what you usually get. Is that okay?”
“All I’ve eaten today is one slice of toast and three cookies.”
“Three cookies?”
“They were still warm. I was hungry. I couldn’t control myself.” I shrugged. “So, yes. That’s perfect. Thank you so much.”
“Is there a reason you’re hiding in your car and not your apartment?”
“There are a lot of stairs. You can join me.” I took the bag from him and set it between my feet on the floor.
Yum.
Tomato soup and grilled cheese.
That was the one.
I barely remembered to dunk the sandwich in the soup. I was so hungry I felt a bit like a rabid animal as I chowed down on the food. The grilled cheese filled a hole and by the time I got to the soup, I was able to spoon it into my mouth like a normal person.
“Here.” Maverick handed me a coffee. “You were so hungry you didn’t realize I ran in and made you one.”
My eyes widened. “Oh, my God. Saylor. Is she fine?”
“She’s charming people. She told me not to tell Holley.” He grinned. “She’s fine, and Felicity is fine in the kitchen. I think she’s enjoying having a break from people, to be honest.”
“She’s been hammered ever since eight. I never did get to ask anyone to help us out, but it’s not usually like this. I don’t need another employee. I’m not even sure I can afford another employee. But Felicity can’t go on like that.” I sighed, wrapping my hands around the coffee cup. “God, I should have swapped with her. I didn’t know she was struggling. I’m a crappy boss.”
Maverick laughed. “You’re kidding, right?”
“No, I’m not kidding. It’s my job to know she’s okay.”
“She’s fine. She’s tired, just like you, but she’s fine. So you both need a break. It’s crazy out there, Piper.” He reached over and touched my shoulder. “It doesn’t make you a crappy boss. The fact you care about how she feels makes you a fucking good one, yeah?”
“I guess.”
“You need to take ten minutes as much as she does, and yes, you own the business, but you’re allowed to need a breather too.” He squeezed my shoulder. “But I think Saylor wants her pick of leftovers after she’s done.”
I dropped my head and laughed quietly. “She probably does. I’ll whip up her favorite cheesecake and take it to her tomorrow.”
“Seems like a fair trade. Just take a breather, okay?”
“Yeah. Thank you. I forget to do that a lot.”
“No kidding.” He opened the door and patted my leg. “I’ll give you a few to yourself.”