Chapter 8

Tanya called Eliza into the back office at the beginning of her shift. Eliza followed her boss through the kitchen into the back, where a small, single office was tucked away. She turned and closed the door behind her, standing awkwardly in the corner of the room while Tanya sat behind the desk.

“Eliza, please sit down.” She motioned to an overused club chair that used to sit in the dining area until the fabric on the bottom began falling off.

Eliza sat down in it. “Is everything ok?”

“Yes, you can relax. No one is in trouble. You know Jonathan quit last week and his last day is next Wednesday. We still haven’t found anyone to replace him. Are you sure you won’t consider a full-time job? I would love to offer you the position of shift manager.”

Eliza had been part-time for three years by choice. Why did Tanya think she would change her mind now?

“Have you asked Andi?”

“She’s next on my list. I thought I’d ask you first.”

It was unfair. Andi wanted that position, and they both knew it.

“You’re my best barista, and everyone loves you. To be honest, I could really use someone with your talent and friendliness. We need the stability.” She rubbed her temples and let out a long sigh.

The coffee shop attracted workers with vibrant, dynamic, and sometimes polarizing personalities. Eliza got along with them all. She shrugged and looked Tanya in the eye. “I’ll think about it. But you really should ask Andi, I think she would be a much better fit.”

Tanya nodded and stood up from her desk. “It would come with a raise and benefits. Let me know if you have any questions or want to talk more about it.” She walked to the door and opened it, motioning for Eliza to leave.

Eliza kept her eyes on the floor as she returned to her register. Andi wasn’t there yet, but she felt guilty nonetheless. The only thing she was guilty of was burying her feelings about her coworkers to keep the peace. Did that make her a better candidate for the management position?

Eliza had neither the time nor the drive for a full-time position. Thirty hours a week was already dominating her schedule, and taking on more would be a death sentence for her budding photography business. But it would give her extra money and benefits she didn’t have. It would give her security.

Who could she talk to about it? She couldn’t talk to Andi since she would be indignant at not being offered the position first. She could call her mom or her sister, but they would probably tell her to take it while her dad would encourage her to stick to her guns. Or she could text Cooper. He may or may not give good advice, but he would at least be unbiased.

She smiled at the sandy-blonde young man in line, the one who came in every morning at 7:15. He was never in her line, but he was always looking at her when she noticed him; this morning was no different. His vibrant green eyes smiled back as she tied her apron and stepped behind the register, smoothing down her hair and blouse. She was a little disappointed when he stepped up to the other cashier as he always did, but it wasn’t something either of them could help. Still, he stole frequent glances at her from the pick-up line while she served her next three customers, making her feel uneasy in the best way possible. It wasn’t unusual for her to get looks from men now and then, but she always wondered whether they were really smiling at her. This was different. There was no guessing, as he not only looked directly at her and smiled on his way out, but he stopped and waved at the window.

Andi was already sour when she arrived for her shift four hours later, just before the lunch rush began. It was raining and cold, and her neighbor had accidentally let her cat out after stopping by to borrow milk. It wasn’t the best time to bring up the promotion; despite Andi’s caring nature, she would surely be offended and sink into an even worse mood. Eliza would have to save it for later.

Seeing her misery, Eliza offered Andi her one free pastry – a perk of being an employee – before clocking out at noon. She grabbed Andi’s favorite, a maple meringue donut, wrapped it securely in a brown paper bag, and dropped it into Andi’s apron pocket. “For later,” she whispered.

“Liza! You didn’t have to do that!” Andi squinted and rubbed a fake tear from her cheek. “You’re the sweetest.”

“I hope your day gets better,” Eliza said quickly, sliding her arms into a yellow raincoat. Guilt nagged at her for not telling Andi about the promotion, but she tried to stuff it down. “See you tomorrow.” She held her breath and hurried out the door before she could say anything else, almost knocking over a pedestrian in her haste.

“Oh my,” she gasped, “I’m so sorry.” She stopped and eyed him. It was the sandy-haired patron who had been there that morning. The one who always smiled at her. She must have looked ridiculous rushing out the door like that.

“It’s ok.” He studied her. “Are you ok?”

“Yeah…yeah. I’m fine.” She sighed. “Are you sure you’re ok?” She squinted at him through the miserable drizzle that had replaced the heavy rain pelting the windows all morning.

“No harm, no foul.” He held up his hands and smiled. She noticed how warm and bright his smile was.

“Ok…well, sorry again.” She wrung her hands together. “Uh…have a nice day.” She marched off toward her apartment, reminding herself to pay attention to where she was going. She slowed her pace when she rounded the corner of Buchanan Street, letting the adrenaline leave her body. She took a deep breath and forced it out slowly, releasing the tension that a job offer, an angry friend, and a run-in with a handsome half-stranger had wound around her tightly. To her left was the old Crighton Brothers Building with a large sign on the door announcing to the community it was for lease. She peeked in through the dusty window to the open, empty space beyond. It once was a mercantile, but it became a dance studio after Crighton Brothers closed. Eliza thought it would make an excellent photography studio. She took out her phone and texted Cooper as she kept walking.

Hey.

She bit her lip. She had never been the one to start a conversation with him. Her phone buzzed.

Hey.

What would you do if you were offered a business opportunity that offered you security? But it took away time from the thing you really want to do? One that isn’t so safe?

Oh, come on. You know the answer to this.

She smiled. I just don’t want to miss a good opportunity.

But you’re ok with missing out on what you really want to do? Isn’t that a good opportunity? What are the other pros and cons?

Money. Benefits. But it’s not something I’m good at. Plus, it might hurt someone close to me – someone who wanted it more than I do.

Are you good at the other thing?

Her recent growth said she was. I think so.

What does your gut tell you? When I have a hard decision, my gut is usually leaning one way or the other. I’ve never regretted following it.

She had never regretted it, either. It suddenly seemed silly she had even considered taking the promotion. Accepting a full-time position might bring in extra cash, but it would further limit her time to grow her photography business. She had to give it her all if she wanted to see herself somewhere like the Crighton Brothers building someday. She had to be serious. No way could she do that and babysit a group of emotional and demanding twenty-somethings at a coffee shop. She was already not management material; it would be exhausting and time-consuming. No way could she take that position.

One more thing. Not to overstep, but you should think about telling your friend. I know this from experience, sadly.