Here With You (A Lowcountry Love Story Book 1) by Tori L. James

Author:Tori L. James [James, Tori L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2023-09-29T16:00:00+00:00

“I’ll take a Don’t Be a Salty Beach, please,” I say to the barista at our regular café. I’ve always been a dirty chai girl, but summertime is for cold brew packed with ice and a pump of vanilla topped with sweet cream and sea salt.

“One Salty Beach coming your way, Em. Almond milk?” she asks.

“Yes, please,” I say and do my happy little shoulder shimmy of foodie delight, which causes me to wobble in the tall pink faux-leather stool that I occupy almost daily.

Spill the Beans is the local coffee shop that the girls and I frequent after the school day to debrief on all things education and life. It’s housed in an old bank building that’s been renovated to girly perfection. The owner, Tia, brought the drab building back to life with pink paint, exposed copper piping, marble counters and tabletops, gold accents, and an assortment of eclectic secondhand furniture that’s been restored. Pops of color are sprinkled in with greenery from a large succulent wall and cascading Pothos plants scattered on every ledge.

“Sixteen or twenty ounces? And two or three shots of espresso?” Tia asks while entering our order on the touch screen tablet.

“Sixteen, but make it three today, please,” I say, instantly regretting my decision. “Actually, make it two. I just need enough to make it through the evening. I don’t want it to keep me up all night or induce heart palpitations.”

Brielle and Tia both laugh as she grabs a cup. “You got it. Any stories for me today?”

“It was pretty quiet for me, so I’m bracing myself for tomorrow,” I tell them.

“That’s great for you,” Brielle deadpans. “I spent twenty minutes interrogating children so I could figure out who left a fork in the urinal.” Thank God I haven’t been served my drink yet, because I’d have spit it across the counter with the laughter that erupts from me instantly.

“But why was there a fork in the bathroom, anyway?” Tia asks as she releases the pressure of the espresso machine and wipes the nozzle clean with a cloth.

“Why do kids do anything they do?” Brielle rolls her eyes. Although I laugh, I can feel her frustration. Sometimes, this passion can be as exhausting as it is rewarding.

Tia places Brielle’s cup on the counter inside its cardboard sleeve and slides it her way, followed by my iced drink in my direction. “Here you go, ladies.”

“Thanks, Tia,” we say in unison and turn to walk to our favorite table. Although it’s a table for four, it occupies the three of us with one chair left to hold all of our oversized totes.

“Don’t get me wrong. I’ve loved the bonding time we’ve had, but I’m really excited for Mo and Anderson to get back,” Brielle says while slowly slurping her coffee to test if it’s ready to drink. As always, it’s piping hot, leaving her to abandon the cup on the table for a little while longer.

“No offense taken. I can’t wait to hear about all the cute places she gets to visit.

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