𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐑 |

chapter nine

Vera

It took us a solid five minutes after eating to finally leave the diner. We definitely ate more than we could handle and our unwillingness to walk back into work proved that. Rayne was sprawled out in the backseat, jeans unbuttoned and groaning about how full she felt.

"I feel like my guts are going to explode all over this car," she groaned again.

"You are the one who decided to eat your food plus Vera's leftovers just to prove something," Maia snorted, unlocking the car doors. "Now, come on and get out of my car."

I was too busy laughing to even speak when I stepped out. Stretching my arms up towards the sky, I was grateful that the clouds were blocking the sun for this short period of time. It's been beaming all day; my skin needs a little bit of time to cool off at the least.

I glanced back behind me, and Maia was pulling Rayne out of the car. Stifling a laugh, I decided to head inside and clock back in. There weren't any more books to shelve out, so I went behind the counter and sat on one of the stools behind a register.

Fresh coffee being made overloaded my senses and I fought the urge to buy my second coffee for today. But it didn't stop me from glancing towards the cafe side, watching them frantically move around to make orders. Most of the tables were filled with young adults, just chatting. Some had laptops in front of them and I figured it was schoolwork or just work stuff in general.

Coffees were distributed among them, breaking their concentration for a short second as they smiled up at the barista. I don't know why but that small interaction made me smile before I looked away, leaning forward on the counter. It's the little things that make you realize it's never too hard to be kind to others. Even if it's a stranger.

Which always makes me wonder why Katherine and Lucia are the way they are. But maybe there isn't a real reason. They do it just because they can, I guess. No consequences mean they know no boundaries for others.

I had to remember I was at work before getting too down in the dumps about my aunt and cousin. A slow breath was released, and I tapped on the wooden counter, glancing around the bookstore. I did a double take when Maia came in carrying Rayne on her back, an agitated expression on her face.

Pursing my lips together, I snorted and clamped a hand over my mouth to muffle it. Maia came behind the counter and dropped Rayne onto the chair with a tired groan and leaning forward on the counter. Rayne stretched out her legs, still whining.

"I swear... you are so lucky I love you," Maia mumbled, pushing her legs off the counter.

"Love you too." Rayne grinned cheekily, bringing her hands behind her head.

I glanced at Maia's pants, chuckling.

"Maia... did you fall?"

"We will not speak of it."

She crossed her arms and looked away. Rayne gently nudged me, failing to keep her laughter at bay. When Maia whipped around to look at us, we were rummaging through the drawers "organizing" some things. Her eyes narrowed before looking away again.

Time felt like it zoomed by when customers came flooding in. I wasn't upset, it gave me something to do instead of just staying planted back here. Rayne walked the main floor, helping customers if needed and organizing the shelves a bit. Maia was traveling between the employees' room and the main floor, doing whatever bosses do when it gets busy.

Come on, how would I know?

I handed someone their change with a smile and shut the register when they walked off. Rayne leaned against me, chugging down her water with a sigh. I will say that it was more people walking around than actually checking out which made the lines breeze by.