A Way Out

Chapter 2

With a heavy heart, I started my shift the next day. The events of yesterday with Jake were still haunting me as they swarmed around in my head. I knew Raleigh wanted me to end it, but did I want to end it? Did I still believe in change? Did I believe that Jake could change into the person he used to be? My hands were clinging onto something that wasn't going to happen, and I had to will them to let that something go.

"Good morning." Cassie smiled as her brown eyes sparkled with joy. Her excitement was infectious, and it made me break out into a hesitant grin.

"Hey."

Cassie narrowed her eyes at me, and I knew that look. "Am I supposed to expect a visit from Jake today?" she asked as she put her hands on her hips. What was even worse was that my boss knew when Jake and I went through some trouble because he always visited me at work the next day to resolve things. His timing couldn't be poorer.

"Probably." I hung my head down in shame. It was so embarrassing. If Jake didn't leave satisfied, he would make a scene for every customer to enjoy.

Cassie sighed as she rubbed her forehead. She didn't like it, but she liked me too much, so the consequences of a potential scene would be minor for my job, but major for my mindset. "It will be fine, Everly. Let's open shop and get busy. It will put your thoughts on something else for a while."

I nodded as I put on my apron with a smile and opened shop. Cassie always knew the right thing to say and mainly because of her, working became one of my favorite moments of the day. The coffee shop was such a lovely place. The scent of coffee traveled throughout the sitting area and mixed itself with the smell of some sweet baked goods. A delight to the nose and the soft music playing in the background gave off a relaxed vibe. The counter was made of light brown wood and behind it hung chalkboards with the menu written on them. I've never seen such good handwriting on a chalkboard, but Cassie's was phenomenal.

The first regular customers were waiting outside and when I opened the door, they greeted me with a smile. Some of the tension that was still in my body from last night slowly left, and I already felt better than I did when I got up this morning.

The time flew by smoothly as I served the customers and got into a friendly conversation with some of them. Mrs. Ginny, a lady in her seventies, told me she got a new cat because she had felt lonely. Mr. Jenkins celebrated his daughter's birthday yesterday, and Holly Renn told me she got a new job. I lived for hearing these stories, these fresh stories. It didn't matter what they were about; it didn't matter how big or small they were. Each of them had their own history and reason, to me that was fascinating.

Around lunchtime more customers found their way to our coffee shop, spending their free time around other people of the business life. This included my mystery in the form of Donovan Dane. He always entered the coffee shop with confidence in his stride. He knew where he was going and in what place he wanted to be. Donovan Dane took his usual seat by the window, and I felt Cassie tapping my shoulder.

"Go take his order."

Fear crept up my neck and settled its crushing weight on my shoulders. "M-Me?" I asked, pointing to myself. "I never take his order."

Cassie smirked with mischief. "You will now."

With trembling hands, I took my notepad and placed one step in his direction, already feeling the air around me getting thicker. I looked at Cassie, who waved her hands, urging me to go up to him.

As I made my way to his table, he read a newspaper and his ice eyes didn't bother to look up when I stood next to him.

"H-Hello and welcome to Cassidy's may I take your order?" I stuttered, mentally slapping myself for the impression I was probably leaving.