The Barista

Part Of You

"Hi, Elle." A male voice interrupts my thinking while trying to shut down my drawer for the coffee shop. "It's been a long time."

I look up. "Hi..." I freeze in place. "Oh my God! Uncle Jack!"

I rush around the counter and jump into his arms. "Uncle Jack! It's been a year! How was Cabo?"

His stunning slicked-back peppered hair and perfectly trimmed grey beard brushes against my face. "It was amazing." He says excitedly. "How has my favorite niece been?"

"I've been good," I say, slowly releasing him from my grip. "I've been working hard, and I have a boyfriend now, and what a surprise. He's walking in as I say that."

Liam stops, his eyes narrowing with confusion waving in them. "Hi. Who's this?"
My uncle Jack extends a hand. "I'm her uncle. My name is Jack Scott."

"Don't be modest," I exclaim and playfully slap my uncle's chest. "After my parents passed away, he took me in and took care of me. And don't ask. It's another story for another time. And now he's here."

Liam shakes his hand, looking suspicious. "Nice to meet you, Jack. You look familiar. Almost like I should know you."

"Oh, you don't." I'm quick to interject. "My uncle Jack travels a lot. He just spent the last year in Cabo. He's been all around the world. He's never here. Hell, Jack, didn't you sell your house?"

Uncle Jack nods. "I did. I mostly live out of my RV or depending on where I am at, in hotels. I'm always traveling."

"Oh, yeah?" Liam interjects. "If I can ask, what is it you do for work?"

My uncle Jim hesitates. "Have you ever heard of Phoenix Enterprise?"

"Out of Boston?" Liam questions.

"Yes." My uncle answers. "I own it."

"Shut up!" Holten interjects excitedly. "Our father has been trying to purchase that business for years."

My uncle raises an eyebrow with a confused look painting across his face. "And who is your father?"

"Jericho Easton," I say excitedly. "He's my new employer too. He's their dad and he's an awesome person. You should meet him. I think you two would get along."

My uncle's expression tells me he's hiding something. And ever since I was a child, I've seen that look many times. When he wants to say something but knows to stay quiet, he has those eyes and that scrunch on his nose.

"Great to hear!" My uncle says, but his tone reminds me of when he's lying.

"What's wrong, Uncle Jack?" I ask, hoping he's honest.

"Nothing. I'm well aware of Jericho Easton. He's a good man. He's done a lot of good for this community and..." He pauses and turns his attention to me. "Elle, can we talk in the back room or outside? Just away from everyone else. It's important."
"Yes," I say without hesitation. "Anytime. Let's go into the back room."

We are quick to get into the backroom, Uncle Jack seeming rushed. I close the door and turn around. "What's the problem, Uncle Jack? I know that look. And it's not exactly a good look."

He exhales while pacing the small area. "Elle. I love you like my daughter. And it's so damn important to tell you this."

"Tell me what?"