"Hailey's POV"
"So what's the gist you're so excited about?" I asked Sophie, who had burst in all flustered—and loudly calling my name for some random stranger to hear.
"Did I do something wrong?" she asked, worried.
"No. Don't mind me."
"How could I not?"
"It's nothing, really."
She gave me a long look but let it slide. "Okay then. Can I ask you something before I gist you?"
"What is it?"
"Who was that guy that just left? Didn't look like Gray to me." She winked.
"I dunno. Don't care either."
"Didn't seem that way. Did you break up with Gray?"
"No, I didn't."
She scrunched her face.
I chuckled. "Why don't you even like Gray? You've never met him."
"Exactly. You've been dating him for over a year and he hasn't even bothered to meet me. Why should I like him?"
"There's still plenty of opportunities for you two to meet."
"Anyway, so you don't know that guy from earlier?"
"He's one of those privileged dudes I told you about."
"Woah. And he knows you work here? Sounds stalkerish." Her face darkened.
"No, his friend lives nearby. That's what he said."
"Of course that's what he'd say. You think he'd admit it?"
"But he didn't seem like one."
"Hailey, girl, it's not written on their heads, you know?"
"Don't worry. It's nothing. He'll get bored soon enough. That's how they are."
Sophie sighed. "But you were talking to him? I thought you decided to ignore him."
"I did. But ignoring him made me uncomfortable. I'll just treat him like a random dude, nothing more, nothing less. Going beyond that would be… I don't know."
I couldn't tell Sophie he'd been on my mind.
She studied me in disbelief.
I chuckled. "What?"
She shrugged. "Nothing."
"So, what's the gist?"
"Right. That girl Anne, you know her? Works at your café?"
"What about her?"
"She stole her friend's boyfriend. The girlfriend found out and they had this huge fight."
I laughed. Sophie always knew the juiciest stories. She should really work for a detective agency with all her 'superpowers.'
"And?"
"And the stolen boyfriend? He's in Engineering. Isn't that your boyfriend's department?"
"Yeah, but I doubt Gray knows. He's not into gossip."
"More reason I don't like him."
"So you came all the way here for that?"
"There was another gist—an important one—but I've forgotten it."
Typical Sophie.
"Aren't you tired of standing?" I asked.
She pulled a chair from the storage room and sat.
"How's Brian?" I asked.
"I don't know."
I shook my head. "You never know the important things."
"That's not important. We're in a cold war."
"Is there ever a time you two have a warm war?"
We locked eyes and burst into laughter.
"Hails, that was so lame."
"Sorry." I raised my hands in surrender. "But don't tell me what it's about. I'm not curious."
"You're not?"
"Nope. In a few hours, you two will make up."
"This time I'm standing my ground."
"As usual. Brian will be the one to surrender."
"Because he's always the one in the wrong! Can you believe—"
"Nope. I told you I'm not interested."
She frowned but let it go.
"Anyway, how's Rachel and cute little Dylan?"
"They went on a picnic. Posted videos and everything. Looked like fun."
"But does she have another business? This one doesn't seem to cover all the trips and weekend getaways."
"Not sure. But Dylan's dad is wealthy, so maybe that's it."
"But your pay doesn't rhyme with that lifestyle."
"I like working here. I'd pick this over the café any day."
"Because you get free books."
I smiled shyly. "That too. It's peaceful here. Time just flies."
Sophie smiled back. "I just realized, that guy who left earlier. Did he buy a book? I think he held one in his hand. He didn't strike me as the reading type."
"He rented one."
"You guys rent books here?"
"Of course."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because you have money. Buy books and support me."
"That privileged dude has more money than me!"
"I can't risk my precious books. I only sell them to people I trust."
"But you just did."
"No, I lent it to him. He'll bring my baby back."
She gaped at me, speechless, and I nearly laughed.
"Besides, not all books are for rent. The ones you read are usually for sale. That's why you didn't know."
"I'm still not buying it."
"He didn't even have a library card. How would I sell him a book?"
"Fine, fine. When are you closing? Let's go for dinner."
"By six. Sorry, I have to read. School starts in two weeks. Actually with some of them here"
"You think I don't know that? I'm a student too, duh, you readaholic."
"Sorry."
"Whatever." She stuffed a wafer in her mouth.
"Where'd you get that?" I reached for the packet but she pulled it away.
"My boyfriend bought it. Tell yours to buy you some."
Then she suddenly froze. "Oh yes! I remembered. Shops around here have been robbed lately."
"How do you know? Rachel didn't mention anything about that."
"Is there anything I don't know? Maybe she hasn't heard about it yet. Heard it was yesterday or the day before it happened."
I sighed.
Sophie continued. "Just be careful, okay? Close early if you have to. Rachel won't complain. You care more about this shop than she does anyway."
"Fine. But what about the culprits? Caught yet?"
"Not yet."
"That's… disturbing."
"If you ever run into them, just kneel and beg. Cry if you can." Sophie demonstrated, dropping to her knees.
I burst out laughing. "You're so dramatic."
"And funny," she added.
She was right. I'd been moody all day, but Sophie always knew how to lift me up.
Still, my mind betrayed me. It flashed to the stranger, to the way I'd laughed at something he said. Truth be told, I didn't even know why I lent him that book. Normally, I'd have sold it off, cut off any reason for him to return.
But now, I'd given him a reason.
And the thought of seeing him again… didn't feel so bad anymore.