It had been simple enough to let his main library clients know about the new location, and surprisingly, most of them were accepting of the change. Travelling to the new location hadn’t been an issue for the majority of them. Sure, a few hadn’t made it to the coffee shop venue yet; at least Bailey liked to think of it as yet. He had hopes they’d show their faces sometime in the coming weeks.
He leaned against the brick wall of the building—Tom’s building—as he watched the action at the back of the van. He smile grew wider at the knowledge that Tom was so close, maybe even just behind those bricks. The cafe was closed for the day but Tom could be cleaning up downstairs, or baking as he did a few evenings a week, preparing quiches or sausage rolls for the next day. Or perhaps he was upstairs relaxing—
“Bailey?”
Emma’s voice drew him back to the present. He pushed away from the wall. “Hey, Emma. How are you?”
She shuffled nervously, looking at her feet rather than meeting his eye, but she’d made the first move and come to him so he did a happy dance inside.
She finally looked up. “Okay, I guess.” She pulled the sides of her coat together, hunching under the fabric.
“That’s good. Cold, isn’t it?” Nothing like talking about the weather. He almost rolled his eyes at his own stupid question.
“Yeah.”
Bailey wished he was better at small talk, or at least knowing how to make a shy girl feel more comfortable. He had a bunch of information about reading difficulties but didn’t want to just launch into the discussion. He wanted her to feel like his interest was more than just about that one thing, more than just about her limitations. Oh well.
“Hey, Emma, do you have a phone?”
“Yeah. It’s a bit slow though. And I sometimes run out of credit.” She pulled an outdated iPhone from her pocket. “But I usually use the free Wi-Fi at Maccas.”
“Great. I found a few websites you might want to take a look at—” Stupid! She can’t read. “I mean, I can help you, of course.”
“I can read some. Just not fast and some bits are….” She glanced around, gaze flitting across to her friends.
“How about I give you the list and you can check them out and then let me know when you get stuck? That way you can take your time.” And not have to have me helping you in front of your friends. Although it made Bailey sad to think of Emma hiding her reading issues from her friends—he knew Cassie and Jude would be understanding and maybe even be able to help.
“Wait a sec and I’ll get you the list, and I’ve got some other brochures too.” He grabbed the flyers and the single sheet of paper where he’d noted some website URLs. He studied the page for a moment, making sure his writing was clear, satisfied at the large printing in block letters that should be easy enough for Emma to copy.
Bailey felt like celebrating the small victory when Emma took the papers, carefully folding them before placing the neat little rectangle into her coat pocket. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“Anytime.” Bailey kept his voice bright, not making a big deal out of it. Small steps. “I’m going to see if the guys need a hand. Catch you later, Emma.”
Things wrapped up quickly after that. Books and magazines were chosen and the small group dispersed with friendly waves and shouts of goodbye and thanks. Bailey locked the van with a smile on his face. All in all, a good evening.
His smile broadened when he turned to see Tom leaning on the wall of the building in the spot Bailey had been earlier.
“Hey.” He walked the few metres to Tom’s side. “How long have you been there?”
Tom grinned and reached out in greeting. “Long enough to see you in action. Amazing.” Bailey shivered at Tom’s touch to the side of his face.
“Don’t be silly.” Bailey was grateful for the low lighting, the single bulb high up on the exterior wall of the building, that meant Tom wouldn’t see the blush that was no doubt staining Bailey’s cheeks.
“You’re so natural with them. I could tell they all felt comfortable with you, and they sure looked happy to take home books, especially that girl with the ponytail.”
Bailey sighed. “I wish they all had a home to take a book too. That girl is Cassie. She usually couch surfs with friends so I know she’s got somewhere to bunk down for the night. And she’s always ecstatic to have a book. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who reads as much as she does.”
“More than you?”
“I wish I’d never told you about my reading. You must think I’m the biggest nerd.” But Bailey chuckled as he said the words.
“I think you are amazing.” Tom hooked an arm around his shoulders. “Now come inside and get warm. I’ve got some soup on the stove and some bread in the oven.”
* * *
“Here. This should warm you up.” Tom placed a steaming bowl of pumpkin soup in front of Bailey, surprised at the little surge of pleasure he got from taking care of him. Who’d have thought I’d be so domesticated?
Bailey looked up with a broad smile. “Thanks. This smells awesome.”
“I hope you enjoy it. It’s another of the staples on the cafe menu. There’s something comforting about soup in winter that makes it really popular.” Tom placed his own bowl on the table before returning for a plate of sliced bread and placing that in front of Bailey too, along with a tub of butter.
For a while, the only sounds were the quiet noises of slurping, with the occasional request to pass the salt and pepper or the bread. They didn’t speak until the last of the soup had been sopped up with the remains of the sourdough.
Bailey put down his spoon with a sigh. “That hit the spot.”
“Dessert?” Tom offered.
“God, no. But thanks.”
“I’ve got brownies,” Tom coaxed.
“Aw, man. Really? I guess I could squeeze one in then.”
“Twist your rubber arm, huh?”
“It’s chocolate. How can I say no?”
They busied themselves in the kitchen making the drinks, Bailey filling the water reservoir of the small machine on the bench while Tom gathered the mugs. Bailey had made himself at home at Tom’s place in such a short time and Tom liked it. He liked it a lot.
They took the mugs and Tupperware of brownies to the couch and each took an end.
“I was wondering if you wanted to come with me to Ryan’s farewell.”
“He’s your best friend? The one who’s moving OS?”
“Uh-huh. It’ll mainly be people we work with but it’d be nice to have you there. Plus, Ryan is hassling to meet you.”
“He is, is he?” Tom chuckled.
“Shit. Sorry. It’s a bit quick isn’t it? You probably have no desire to meet my workmates and you’d be bored silly.”
“Hey, it’s okay.” Tom leaned over and placed a hand on Bailey’s thigh. “I’d love to meet your friends. Plus, by the sound of it, this might be the only chance I have to meet Ryan. Right? So, I’d love to come.”
“Thanks. We can always leave early if it’s a bust.”
“If you’re there, I’m sure I’ll have a great time.”
The happiness on Bailey’s face made Tom glad he’d agreed. Hanging out at someone’s work do wasn’t exactly high on his list of priorities.
But it suddenly turned out that making Bailey happy was.