You Had Me at Merlot [ Chaennie ]

Chapter 20: Do You See A Future With Me?

Jennie was fine. Everything was fine. The evening before, her mother left a voicemail that she missed Jennie's father more than she could stand, which led to a forty-minute cry-fest for the both of them. After that, she picked herself up and managed to go on a date with a very nice woman named Sofia, who had romantic potential, but who also probably saw her puffy eyes and clearly emotional demeanor as a red flag. And then, of course, Leo was sick this morning, and the part-timer they'd recently hired was apparently afraid of working near heat, so Jennie was riding the espresso machine train while still trying to run the place.

"I think it's the idea of steam near my face that bothers me," Brent told her through a squint. He came from California and his skater kid persona colored his speech.

"Yet you applied for a job as a barista?" she asked him as gently as she could.

"Sounded fun, bro, and like there might be free iced coffee." He nodded. "Emphasis on iced." He nodded again. "Should I just hand in my apron? I'm thinking best for all involved, bro."

"Yeah, bro, probably."

That left Jennie to cover the Chelsea bar on her own. Wasn't the first time and wouldn't be the last. It just meant she had to move fast and multitask like a squirrel preparing for winter. In between customers, a text from Roseanne snagged her attention. Time for lunch?

She typed quickly in squirrel mode. On my own in Chelsea so no time for anything.

I have an easy day. Coming to you.

She couldn't smother the burst of energy that hit. Of course Roseanne would come. She'd become Jennie's cheerleader. Her person. As she prepared a pumpkin chai latte, she reflected on the first day she'd seen Roseanne in her line just a few feet away from where Jennie was standing now. She never would have imagined the ups and downs they would have ahead of them to wind up here. Her life had been changed forever that day. She wasn't the same person, which meant maybe all that heartbreak was worth it, given where they'd landed.

"Teach me the machine," Roseanne said half an hour later, wearing a tan apron with a bottle of wine, a cup of coffee, and a doughnut on the front. Jennie had had them specially made for the staff. She'd never imagined them looking this good on any of them, however.

"You're wearing a business suit under that apron. I don't think this is the day."

"Yes, it is. I'm ready." She was adorable, was what she was, and it wasn't fair she was Helen's. Roseanne lifted her heels, resulting in a small bouncing motion that made Jennie laugh.

"Fine." She came over to the drink station and stood next to Roseanne. "We have to be quick because Dino Dan needs his dry cap."

"How did he get that name?" Roseanne asked quietly. Dan was standing a few feet away, but their proximity to each other allowed the private conversation. It also made Jennie highly aware of Roseanne's arm touching hers. Here we go again. Her body shot to attention. She'd had sex on the brain lately, and every fantasy starred Roseanne.

"He has this green shirt with an outline of a brachiosaurus on the pocket. Well, at least he used to."

"One shirt and you're dino branded for life."

"I don't make the rules, Roseanne."

"At least I'm not Bambi's Mother anymore."

Jennie paused. "How do you know you're not?"

"Less flirting, more coffee," Genevieve called playfully from behind her laptop.

"No! We're not—" Jennie rushed to explain, hooking a thumb at Roseanne. "She has someone. A girlfriend. We're just having a lesson." Her cheeks were flaming. Fantastic.

Genevieve raised a brow. "Is that what they call it now? There's more steam over there than the steaming wand could ever provide."

"You behave," Roseanne told Genevieve.

Genevieve gasped. "Admonished by Bambi's Mother."

"See?" Jennie said. "Still a thing."

What had started off as a difficult day had blossomed into a truly fun afternoon. After a proper lesson, Jennie even let Roseanne make a few supervised drinks. To her credit, she was a fast study, biting her bottom lip in concentration, which Jennie found hard to look away from.

A lightbulb seemed to pop on over Roseanne's head. "Hey, you didn't tell me about the date last night."

"Right. That." Marjorie was visiting her sister in Connecticut, which gave Jennie the leeway to speak freely without the report getting directly back to Sofia. "I like her. A lot. But I had a rough day before our date, which might have shown through. I wouldn't be surprised if she was put off by my red-rimmed eyes and lack of full focus."

"Uh-uh." She shook her head. "None of that matters. She'll get to see the real you next time."

"How do you know there'll be one? She might be done with me."

Roseanne leaned back against the counter. "No one is turning down a second date with you, Jennie," she said quietly. "Trust me." She straightened and went immediately back to the drink station, leaving Jennie standing there with a comment that made her arms and legs feel like Jell-O.

"Thank you," she murmured, unsure whether anyone heard her. She turned and watched Roseanne quietly wipe down the machine, just the way Jennie had taught her. Her heart squeezed, she closed her eyes, and right on cue that burst of longing that always accompanied thoughts of Roseanne nearly toppled her. She gave her head a shake, changing the direction of her thoughts, purposefully running from the dead-end feelings. Distract. Distract. Distract. She reached for the waxed paper bags and went about packaging the newest batch of doughnuts.

Later that night, she sat on Clarissa's couch, letting the hectic day fall off her as her friend worked on her laptop, updating the monthly inventory for De Colores.

"Aaanddone!" She set the laptop aside. "Did you kiss?"

Jennie popped her head up. "More specific."

"On your date, weirdo. I just finished work, and I'd love to be rewarded with a sexy detail about the best first date ever. Was it that?"

"Not quite. No kissing. There was Thai food and get-to-know-you conversation. I'd like to go out again, but the ball's in her court. My mom and I were crying over Dad just before, and it carried over. I was a scattered little mess."

Clarissa took her hand. "Grief never really fades for too long, does it?"

"No. It's the worst. I still wait for him to call and ask me over for his famous chicken noodle soup. It's strange." She shrugged, feeling the emotion well again. "Anyway. Sofia was great. She loves animals and wine. Two of my favorites."

"Right. Well, that's something." A pause. "And why haven't you just been honest with yourself about what else might be holding you back from giving the date your all?"

"I already told you what it was." Jennie sat up. "Where is this headed?" She narrowed her gaze.

"I think it might be time to admit there's a beautiful elephant in the room who you will never be able to let go of."