“Didn’t she tell you? We have our weekly meeting for the water conservation committee today and she’s hosting. Let me order up coffee for four and a plate of a variety of the different pastries over there. My treat.” He pulled out his wallet and handed me a gold card.
“Let us handle the coffee, but I’ll take your card for the desserts. Let me know if the rest of the group wants anything else.” I charged him for the order and handed back the plastic. I looked at the clock: ten to nine. “Do you want me to call Aunt Jackie and let her know you’re here?”
He shook his head. “Nope, I’ve got stuff to keep me busy until the meeting starts.” He smiled and the crinkles around his blue eyes made him look like Robert Redford. “Besides, a guy doesn’t want to look too anxious, right?”
“I’ll bring everything over to the table then.” As he walked away, my gaze darted to the ceiling. Was Aunt Jackie really into this guy? Could this be my new uncle?
As I filled the coffee carafe, the bell over the door rang again, and Josh lumbered into the shop. I saw his glare toward Harrold, who in turn smiled and waved him over. Instead, Josh headed toward me and the counter.
“Where’s Jackie?” Even though the day was just starting, he looked rumpled in his white shirt and black suit.
I pointed to the ceiling. “She hasn’t come down yet. I guess you all have a meeting? I’m getting coffee for the table, can I get you something else?”
“Plate up some of those cake things Jackie likes.” Josh waved toward the dessert case. “I’ll treat everyone to breakfast.”
“Harrold’s already bought enough for the table.” I smiled over at Harrold, who was poring over papers from his briefcase. “Hey, is Amy coming? I need to talk to her.”
“I am not in charge of Miss Newman’s social calendar. Please let Jackie know I’m here.” Josh pulled his jacket straight and spun around, apparently ready to meet the dragon commonly known as Harrold.
“Uh-oh, this might not be good,” Sasha whispered as she came to stand beside me. “I’d give the match to Josh, mostly because of the weight-class difference.”
I shook my head, not taking my gaze off of the black suit moving closer to the unsuspecting Harrold. “I’m going with Train Guy. He’s a few years younger, and a whole lot more in shape.”
“Who’s in shape?” Aunt Jackie asked from the door leading to the office. My eyes widened, and I stared at Sasha, hoping she’d come up with a convincing lie. Instead, my newest barista curled her lips into a smile worthy of a winning prizefighter and went to clean off the tables in the front dining area, leaving me to face my aunt alone.
“Toby.” I shrugged. “For as much as he works, he’s really in shape.”
Aunt Jackie watched Sasha, who was avoiding making eye contact with anyone. “I’ve wondered about Sasha and Toby. She’s way too interested in him. I think she needs to start dating instead of mooning over a guy who’s already involved.”
I leaned against the counter and stared at her. “You think Sasha’s in love with Toby?”
She laughed and shook her head and I relaxed—until she said, “Not in love, but she’s got a major crush on the guy.”
“Really? I haven’t noticed anything.” I put the last of the treats on the tray.
“You’re oblivious to most things, dear.” My aunt looked at the empty shop and then down at the tray. “I take it those are for my meeting?”
“Harrold thought it would be nice. Then Josh tried to buy some treats for the table, as well.” I handed her the coffee carafe and four cups. “Is Amy coming?”
As I asked the question, Amy Newman stepped through the door. She nodded to me, then went to sit in between Josh and Harrold, and handed each a notebook. She put a third in front of the empty chair where my aunt was going to sit.
“Let’s get these delivered so I can get the meeting started. Time is money, you know.” Aunt Jackie strolled to the table and set cups down in front of each of the members. “Coffee?”
As they nodded in turn, she filled their cups. I set the treats in the middle of the table with an extra set of plates and forks for the group. Then she handed me the empty carafe. “Fill this, will you?”
I’d been dismissed. I went back to the coffee bar, filled the carafe, and walked it back over to the table where they were all talking at once, except for Amy, who was staring down into her notebook, ignoring my presence.
Well, fine. Two could play that game. I returned to the coffee counter, poured myself a cup of hazelnut and took a book over to the couch. Sasha could handle any more random customers. When Sasha finished cleaning the tables, no other customers had arrived, so she joined me with a book on the couch. I thought about my aunt’s statement. Was Sasha fascinated with the reformed playboy barista? I knew they liked to tease each other, but I didn’t think Sasha was one to poach in someone else’s backyard, so to speak.
By the time Toby arrived, the water committee was still in session over at the window table. I stood and stretched, joining him at the counter while he prepped for his shift. “How is everything?”