MATCHMAKERS
Raven
THE BELL OVER the door chimes, signaling another customer. The folks of Garden Grove are jonesing to cure coffee cravings, which makes the perfect slogan for Jitters.
I have no complaints about the steady flow of traffic. The consistency keeps my mind occupied so I can avoid thoughts of—
“Oh, my word!” The woman in front of me exclaims. “You’re just the prettiest thing! All the bridge club gals have been in a tizzy since you moved in. I had to come meet you for myself.” This lady appears to be my grandma’s age, but far more fancy. Her bright purple hat and matching jumpsuit says it all.
I smile as my cheeks heat, uncomfortable as others in the store turn to stare at us. “Uhh, thank you. That’s very nice of you to say. This is such a wonderful place to live, and I’ve already met so many wonderful people. Delilah is a lifesaver for letting me work with her.”
She grins back and offers her hand. “I’m Marlene, and it’s a pleasure to meet you . . .”
“Raven,” I finish for her while accepting the proffered greeting.
“So, you’re here to stay?”
“Yes, ma’am. Not sure D could get rid of me if she tried.”
She waves off my pleasantries. “None of that. Call me Marlene. We’ll get to know each other well. I’m the town’s social butterfly so everyone’s business is mine. At least I like to think so,” she explains with a wink.
I chuckle softly, her spunky personality lifting my spirits. “Unfortunately, you won’t find anything too exciting about me. Just the typical single girl story here.”
“There’s no man in your life?”
“No, afraid not. But that’s alright.” I smile while explaining, “I graduated college last month and need to decide where my life is headed. All those boring adult decisions.”
Marlene hums. “Back in my day, finding a husband was the greatest priority for a young lady. I know several strapping gentlemen who would love to take you out.”
My stomach knots at the idea of being set up on numerous blind dates. I grip the counter and clamp my jaw shut, unsure what to say. The lack of control terrifies me but turning down her friendly offer is almost as scary. Thankfully Delilah swoops in and rescues me.
“Oh, Marlene. Give my girl some space. Raven is far too nice but I’ll tell you the truth—she’s not interested.”
This time, my entire face sets on fire as both women look at me. I cover my bubbling nerves with a laugh and find my backbone. “Delilah’s right, blunt as she might be. I’m still settling in and definitely not ready to date yet. I appreciate the offer though.”
Marlene pops my confidence when she asks, “Does your refusal have anything to do with Trey Sollens? I heard you two shared words and it wasn’t pretty. Hopefully he didn’t scare you off men forever.”
My eyes squeeze shut at the mention of precisely who I’ve been avoiding thinking about. Why did she have to bring him up? I’d been doing so well too. With a sigh, I tell her, “It was just a minor misunderstanding. Nothing to worry about. To be honest, I’d forgotten all about it until now.” I internally roll my eyes at the pathetic understatement.
“And you know exactly what you’re doing, Marlene,” Delilah adds. “Stirring the pot and sniffing around for dirt. It was just the standard snit where Trey is involved. No harm was done so enough gossiping about. Now, what can we get you to drink?”
With that, the subject is dropped and Marlene orders her cappuccino to go. I give her the bright teal cup, thank her again, and promise we’ll chat soon. She purses her lips while giving me a final onceover.
“Think about what I said, Raven. Nice guys don’t stay unattached for long.” Marlene waves before strutting out the door.
“Nice to meet you,” I call out to her retreating form.
“Glad that’s over,” Delilah huffs.
“She’s a bit pushy, isn’t she?”
“You can say that again. But don’t mind her. Marlene’s probably the sweetest of the matchmaker bunch.”
I lift a questioning brow, and Delilah explains, “They’re a group of nosey old ladies. With nothing better to do, they spread rumors between teatime and try to pair up the singletons. Real old school views, like the only goal in life is getting married and having babies. So progressive,” she drones.
I laugh at her haughty expression. “Every small town has them, right?”
Delilah spreads her arms out. “Welcome to Garden Grove, where vultures and buzzards are always circling.”
“And drinking coffee,” I add.
“Ah, yes. We all love the java.”
“Does this place ever slow down? I swear it’s go, go, go from open to close.”
“Isn’t it great? Talk about supplying the ultimate demand. Opportunity was practically banging down my door when I moved back from school.”
“I’m very impressed. You’ve built a very booming business. And not everyone could pull it off. I mean, you’ve created a very comfortable and relaxing environment. All the cozy furniture and chic details make it a home away from home. I love all the different mugs too,” I tell her with a grin. “Plus, the place smells divine all the time. If we brought in a bed, I’d sleep here.”
She loops her arm around me. “Thanks, Rave. That means a lot. Having you here makes all the difference. Graduating early was fabulous, but leaving you behind was tough. I consider it a blessing in disguise that your mom took off overseas.”
My forehead pinches tight. “Ugh, I wouldn’t have moved closer to her regardless. You know I can’t handle husband number three.”
“Right, right. Sorry about bringing her up. But speaking of people we’re not talking about . . . I saw your face when Marlene brought up Trey. Is that situation still bothering you?”
I scratch my temple. “It feels more like a loose end, and I’m terrible about letting things go. He got under my skin, and I don’t know why. It’s not like I want to know more about him or anything.” Well, I do but Delilah will take my curiosity as romantic interest.
There’s a nagging in my brain that won’t shut up. Trey represents an incomplete storyline and I need more information to finish his chapter. I’ve tried blocking him out, but it’s useless. Each time I pour a cup of coffee, I’m reminded of his eyes. Considering I’m working at a café full time, that’s a lot of damn reminders.
“Right,” Delilah drawls. “The gears are spinning so fast, there’s steam coming out of your ears. What’s eating you?”
I take a deep breath and decide to just spit it out. “Can I ask you something without getting a pile of grief for it?” She lifts a brow, and I know her answer. It doesn’t stop me. “Tell me more about Trey.”
Delilah startles from my blurted statement. “I’m sorry. Can you repeat that? It sounded like you want to know more about the guy we were never going to speak of again.”
That’s a pact we settled on after too many shots at Dagos. Looks like I’m going back on my drunken word. Fancy that.
I roll my eyes. “I know what we said, but it’s driving me crazy. He got the final jab and made me feel foolish. I stood there like a moron while he beat me down. I mean, why is he so mean? I can’t get past someone being naturally nasty to the bone without reason.”
“Didn’t we already go over this?”
“Kind of, I guess. But there’s gotta be more to Trey than a shitty attitude and man-whore tendencies.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Yes?” My faith in this argument is slipping.
The bell chimes, and our conversation halts as we serve the customers. While I’m filling their order, the need to know flares like a festering wound. Now that I’ve asked, there’s no shying away. Once the couple is out of earshot, I turn back to my friend.
“You’ve known him forever. He’s always been mean?”
“Well, he definitely got worse after his parents and sister died.” She sucks in a sharp breath. “Shit, I shouldn’t have said that. Not that you wouldn’t hear elsewhere soon enough.”
“They all passed away?” I whisper.
Delilah nods. “A ways back, over ten years ago in a car accident. It was just a typical day. Trey was playing baseball at the park with some friends. Jack had to deliver the news. It was fucking horrific.”
My heart leaps as my own past vibrates through me. Unfortunately, I know the debilitating pain of losing a parent. I understand how fast life can be taken due to someone else’s careless mistakes. With a few crushing words, I soften toward him. We’re linked through mutual tragedies.
“Sadly ironic, right? I’m sorry, Rave. It’s not my story to tell and I shouldn’t have said anything. He’s still an ass no matter what,” she murmurs while rubbing my back.
I lift my gaze to hers. “But he has reason to be.”
Delilah’s lips twist. “Don’t go feeling sorry for him. It won’t do any good or earn you any brownie points. That man is sour and surly.”
“Maybe he needs a friend. Someone in his corner,” I suggest quietly.
“You’re so sweet, Rave. He’d eat you alive. Trust me. Even before they died, he was a hellion. What Trey experienced was horrible, but we’ve all tried reaching him. He doesn’t want help or sympathy or anything from anyone. Well, except sex.” She holds her hands out defensively when I scowl. “Okay, okay. I’ve struck a nerve. But please don’t give him excuses for being a jerk because of this. We’ve all let Trey’s shit go because of the accident, but it’s only enabling him. He’s going to spend his life alone, just like his uncle.”
“What do you mean? Who’s his uncle?”
“Jack Sollens. He owns a garage on the outskirts of town. That’s where Trey works. Jacked Up Repairs,” Delilah boasts like a commercial. “He’s a decent enough guy but a chronic bachelor. I’ve never seen him on a date but he gets plenty of attention. Jack is super sexy, especially for a man in his thirties. That family has some great genes. He took Trey in after . . . you know. Ugh, you’re turning me into a gossip like Marlene.” I elbow her, and she yelps. “What? I speak the truth. I’m airing out all their laundry.”
I shoot her a wry look. “Oh, give me a break. I didn’t have to twist your arm too hard.”
“Riiiggghhhht.” She drags the word out. “Pretty sure you were digging for information on Trey not five minutes ago. The Jack stuff was a bonus.”
“Because it was bugging me. Now I know. Case closed.”
She crosses her arms. “Uh, huh. Easy as that?”
“Yes. I feel better. Next time we have words, I’ll be better prepared.”
“Oh, you’re planning ahead? Don’t put yourself in his path on purpose, Rave.”
I wave off her concern. “I won’t. But Garden Grove is tiny so we’re bound to bump into each other. Turns out we have something in common, like kindred spirits.”
Delilah groans. “Girl, you’re asking for trouble. He doesn’t like talking about it at all. Pretty sure the topic is an automatic trigger to a deeper layer of asshole-ness. But I can tell you’ve already decided. Always trying to be the balm and smooth shit over. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“There’s a point to be made, that’s all.”
“And you’re going to tell him how it is?”
“Maybe,” I say. “If I see him again.”
“You’re impossible.”
“But you love me.”
“That I do. Are we moving on? Can we talk about tonight?”
I squint at her. “What are you scheming?”
“It’s Saturday, which means time to go out. Maisey will open tomorrow so I don’t have to be here until noon. That means party time!” She claps, bouncing on her toes. “We can head over to Boomers where there’s a decent dancefloor. We’ve gotta shake what our mamas gave us!”
A few customers glance our way at her outburst, but I just laugh. “You’re lucky these people love their coffee or they’d run away scared.”
“Puh-lease. This town would be lost without me. Not to mention boring,” Delilah sing-songs. “Only two more hours before quitting time. Then we’ll pre-game at Dagos. Addy is working the early evening shift so she can come out with us too.”
“Oooh, good. She’s awesome. Maybe we can convince her to come work here instead of the bar.”
“Nah. I’ve tried. She makes too much money there. I can’t afford her ass.”
“Tips from drunk guys are a beautiful thing.”
“Right? But owning my own business is better. She can deal with those slobbering jerks.”
I smile at Delilah and bask in her obvious happiness. My heart soars at witnessing her success surrounding us. It masks the disappointment constantly dragging me down. Then again, I’m only twenty-two; I have plenty of time to figure out my career goals. For now, working at Jitters is enough.
Delilah wags her brows at me. “Oh, by the way. I’ve got a killer dress for you. It’ll be perfect for tonight.”
“Should I be worried?”
She winks. “Absolutely.”