She knew sleeping with Chase would changethings, but it was officially too late. They hadn't even had sexyet and the dynamic had already changed. She couldn't get him outof her mind.
The shop was quiet aside from the cheerfulbells ringing as Maddy entered the shop. She immediately noted anew leather chair, some new shipwrecked treasures in a glassdisplay. Payson always had a new supply of treasures of all priceranges, so even those here on a budget may find a small souvenir toremember their vacation. Payson surfaced from the back at the soundof the bells, brushing dust off of her hair and dress. Seeing itwas just Maddy, she took a moment to dramatically shake the dustbunnies out of her hair.
Maddy laughed, “Is it time to do your annualdusting of the back room?” She knew her friend was meticulous aboutthe storefront, but the back was a bit of a mess.
Payson feigned offense, “You’re so funny. Ijust got in a shipment of vintage wine and cider bottles fromFrance. The owner recently passed away, and her grandson was doingsome housekeeping and found some great old pieces like these. Thesewere in the attic and hadn’t been dusted in centuries.”
“Ooo, can I see?” Maddy was practicallyjumping up and down.
Payson led the way back. Payson knew the waythrough the dark storage room well enough to not trip, but Maddystumbled a few times. “Really, why don’t you clean this crap more?”She narrowly avoided knocking over a Tiffany-style lamp.
“I do, I just keep getting new shipments.Maybe you should come help me on your next day off, when you’re notwearing a pretty white eyelet dress. Gorgeous, but not verypractical. What’s the occasion?”
“I’ll fill you in on that later.” She aboutdove into the old wooden crates that held said dusty old bottles.“I love these! Save me a few? Maybe I’ll take some in payment forhelping you organize this dump.”
Payson pulled a few from the crates andstarted setting them on the table. “It’s a deal. I’ll pick out somethat will go on your mantle as bud vases or candle holders. You maywant to wait a week though; he’s sending some chests of vintageclothes.”
“I can’t wait. I’m so glad you moved here; mydécor was so boring before you arrived.” Maddy looked around thestorage room. “I’ve got some ideas on how you can organize better.Can you order some heavy-duty shelving and I’ll come by and helpyou put it together?”
“It’s a date. I need to upgrade anyway; theseare still what I could afford when I first opened. Now, explain,why are you dressed so pretty and here so early on your dayoff?”
"Thank you,” Maddy spun a little circle toshow off the fun dress. “I bought this last year at the farmer’smarket. Remember, Tori was selling these? One of her handmadespecials. Anyway, I found it in my closet this morning and realizedI’d never actually worn it before. It's my day off and I wanted tofeel pretty. And, I was thinking you should take a break and comeplay with me… at least for the morning. You deserve some time off.I'm restless and need some quality time with my best friend," Maddysmiled hopefully at her friend.
Payson shook her head in amusement, shakingmore dust out of her long auburn hair. She eyed her friendsuspiciously, "Wow, your mom's been gone for what, not quite aweek, and you're already lonely? Don't you usually bum breakfastfrom her?" Payson started for the front, neatly dodging the flotsamon her way out. "Fine, you talked me into it. Town is awfully quiettoday, and I haven't taken a day off in weeks."
"See? I'm doing this for you. It's your day.Want to take a walk on the beach?" Maddy moved toward the frontdoor, gesturing for her friend to make the final step outside. Shewent out on a limb and turned the sign toCLOSEDbeforePayson could change her mind.
"Let's grab a snack for the walk. Muffins anda mocha? I'm starving." Payson grabbed her stomach dramatically.That girl did love her carbs.
"Stressed? You only binge on carbs andespresso when you're worrying about something." Maddy followedPayson out the door and helped her lock up. The morning chillhadn't worn off yet, and some gray clouds threatened in thedistance. Maddy slipped on her denim jacket to fight the chill,glad she’d thought to bring a coat.
They crossed the quiet avenue and headedtoward Moe's Morning Mug. There couldn’t have been more than tenpeople on the entire stretch of Beachside Avenue this morning. Mustbe the threat of thunderstorms this afternoon, but the cloudshadn’t dropped more than a sprinkle or two so far.
"Not really... Maybe a little overwhelmed…”she paused outside of the coffee shop. “Ok I'm ridiculouslystressed," Payson gesticulated wildly with both arms flailing insurrender, suddenly pacing in front of the coffeeshop door. "Italked to my sister last night. She's dropping out of college andwants to come work for me. Cara has worked so hard. She only hasone semester left. She wouldn't say what's going on either."
Payson had two sisters, and it had been justthe three of them since their parents passed when Payson was inhigh school. Her older sister, Jen, was married with two kids andhad a successful career as a museum curator in Boston. She andPayson had worked hard to put Cara, their youngest sister, throughcollege.
“I’m so sorry. We’ll figure this out. Let’sget your carbs and caffeine and take that walk. You’ll feel betteronce we talk it through.” Maddy linked her arm under Payson’s andguided her into the coffee shop.
Moe's door chimed as they walked arm-in-armthrough the doorway together. Gilly, Moe's teenage daughter,greeted them from behind the counter with a perky, "Hey ladies.What can I get ya? The usual?" With barely an affirmative nod fromMaddy, Gilly got to work.
Like the rest of town, the coffee shop wasnearly empty. The smell of freshly baked muffins and cookies filledthe air. There was a bakery further down Beachside that carried thebest pastries, but Moe still made his own deliciously old-fashionedbaked goods that soothed the soul. A gas fireplace in the cornerwarmed the room. Some cozy couches and side chairs flanked thefireplace, and the rest of the shop had mis-matched tables andchairs scattered throughout. There were a few favored tables at theback of the shop that had a spectacular view of the beach.
They made friendly conversation with Gillywhile waiting for their treats. Gilly had just graduated from highschool and hadn't decided what to do about her future. She'd dyedher hair a brilliant shade of blue, pierced her nose, and stayed onto work for her dad for now.
Payson was clearly deep in thought, so Maddygently placed the drink and treat in her hand and guided herthrough the back of the shop and out the patio door to the beach."Thanks, Gilly, see you next time," she waved on the way out.
Maddy savored the first few chocolatey sipsas they walked across the patio toward the sand. Before steppingonto the beach, each briefly set their cups on the nearest table.They synchronously slipped off their shoes and walked along thebeach in their bare feet, not caring that their feet would be numbwith cold shortly.
Once in their rhythm, Maddy offered, "Maybeyou could pop down to Boston and see what's going on with her? Youcould see if Natalie can run the store for two or three days."
Payson didn't answer at first, methodicallyblowing across the lid before each small sip. "I really need to.This would be asking a lot more of Natalie than I have in the past.I know she can handle it, but I feel like it's a big favor toask."
Payson handed Maddy her muffin in its bag andmade the call. It didn’t take long. "Ok, Natalie's on it. That waseasy. That girl is too dang nice to me. You'll help with any majordeliveries while I'm gone? I can try to leave this afternoon totalk some sense into my wayward sister.”
Swallowing the huge bite of blueberry muffinshe’d stuffed in her mouth, Maddy responded, “Of course. I’ll beglad to help. That was nice of Natalie. I told you she doesn’t mindhelping when you need it.”
Payson nodded, “I know. I just hate to ask.She’s such a sweetheart, but she’s so reserved. I hate to botherher.”
