Four Days to Forever by Karen Stivali

Author:Karen Stivali [Stivali, Karen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: New Leaf Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2022-12-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

The grand opening of the café was a blur. People had been lined up outside since before Take A Lick had even opened. When they finally unlocked the door no less than twenty people had poured into the small space, most with coupons from the art show. The steady stream of customers continued straight through lunch. By late afternoon they were running low on everything.

“We were supposed to close at two o’clock,” Ivy said. “It’s two thirty. I say we lock up, clean up, and take stock.”

Caroline nodded. They’d agreed that for at least the first few weeks they’d only be open at breakfast and lunch, to try to draw people to the gallery at times they might not ordinarily stop by. Later in the day people wandered in on their own, and that wasn’t a time they were as likely to want a snack if they were headed to dinner or just getting back from a late lunch. “I’ll turn the sign to closed. We’ll just take these last few customers.”

Ivy served them both their smoothies. Tyler’s concoctions had been a huge hit. As the last patron headed out the door, Ivy and Caroline collapsed onto the bench by the window.

Caroline put her head down on the small round table in front of them. “I need a nap.”

“Right? I’m glad we were both here to work the opening, though. I’m so glad Tyler offered to work the art show. What a godsend he is.”

“He is pretty great, isn’t he?” Caroline couldn’t keep from grinning.

“What do you two have planned tonight?”

“We’ve got amazing seats to see Phantom of the Opera.”

“Nice.”

Caroline nodded. “His boss gave him the tickets because he’s out of town for the holiday weekend. I don’t want to think about what they cost. Tyler and I used to get discounted tickets at TKTS all the time, and even those could be pricey.”

Ivy scrubbed her hand through her hair so white spikes stood out in every direction then drifted down over her blue eyes. “I take it this boss likes him.”

“I’ll say. He even offered Tyler a hotel room for the weekend. But he opted to stay at my place.”

“Oh, I’ll bet he did. Not to say I told you so, sugar, but…”

“You told me so. I know. You were right. Sometimes I like it when you’re right.”

Ivy beamed and pulled a rag from her apron. “I’ll wipe down the tables if you go restock the sugar.”

“Deal.”

The area behind the bar was a mess of straw wrappers, spilled drinks, and empty cartons. She bagged up the trash and took it out back then filled the bins beneath the counter with sugar, spoons, and condiment packets. She dug through the box of office supplies and pulled out Post-it notes and a Sharpie to label everything.

The knock on the glass door made her smile when she saw Tyler standing on the sidewalk. Ivy let him in. “Please tell me our little college crew showed up to relieve you.”

“No, I just asked some stranger to watch all your stuff.

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