“Well…yeah. But that’s not…”
“I envy you, Levi,” she went on, ignoring how he was trying to explain his response. “I don’t even really know what I’m passionate about. I mean, I love walking the dogs, but…that’s not something I can make a career out of. Or at least, that I shouldn’t make a career out of. Ugh…can you imagine how that would look. I can hear my parents now. Our son Miles is a doctor, our daughter Audrey is a lawyer, and Willow picks up dog poop.”
Don’t laugh…don’t laugh…
“They sound like the kind of people who are too uptight to say poop…”
“Seriously?” she cried, pulling her hand away. “That’s all you can say?”
Levi didn’t release her hand and knew he needed to think fast. “I was trying to lighten the mood, Willow. And for the record, the issue is with them, not you.”
“Yeah, that’s what Gammy says too.”
“So then why don’t you believe it?”
“Because everyone wants their parent’s approval. Don’t you want yours?”
He shrugged. “I have it. They’re very proud of me. I make a very good living and I’m happy. That’s all they’ve ever wanted.”
“They never pushed you to do something different? Something other than making drinks?”
“You seem fixated on that one fact,” he said thoughtfully. “Bartenders happen to make very good money.”
“Apparently.”
Narrowing his gaze, he asked, “What does that mean?”
“It means you must! You were able to take a week off without even giving it a second thought and look at this car! I don’t pay a lot of attention to the price of sports cars, but even I know this is brand new and expensive.”
“Well, I saved up for a long time for this. Up until six months ago, I was driving the car I bought in high school. A pickup truck, actually.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Don’t get me wrong, I loved that truck and probably would have kept driving it, but I decided it was time to grow up a little and get a real car.”
“A real car with as many tech options as a jet plane…”
“It’s really not so bad, Willow. At some point over the course of the week, you’ll have to give it a shot.”
“I don’t know…if anything happened and I did something to the car, there would be no way I could pay for it. I’d feel terrible.”
“I’m sure you’re not going to damage the car.”
“Oh, please, I’m a walking accident,” she said with a small pout. “That day outside the pub? That’s practically an everyday occurrence for me.”
“Seriously?”
Nodding, she twisted slightly in her seat to face him a bit. “I broke my wrist when I was five.”
“Willow, most people break a bone in their life.”
“That was the first time. I broke it three more times after that.”
“Oh.”
“I broke my ankle once at a skating rink.”
“Ice skating is kind of dangerous if you don’t have good balance.”
“Well, it was a roller rink, and I hadn’t even gotten to the skates. I tripped over one of the benches that blended with the carpet.”
“O-kay…” He was starting to see what she was getting at.
“I never played any sports,” she went on. “Even my PE teachers used to suggest I sit out on certain activities because they knew I’d hurt myself.”
“Wow.”
“I know. I both appreciated it and was offended.”
There really wasn’t anything he could say to that.
“I haven’t broken anything in a while–which is amazing considering how often I fall.”
“Like in front of the pub?”
“Yeah,” she replied wearily. “You should really tell your boss to see about getting that sidewalk fixed. I purposely park on the next block so I can approach the pub from the opposite direction.”
“Oh, Lord…”
“It’s okay. I don’t mind, really. It gives me a chance to window shop every time I go to McGee’s. Plus, I discovered there’s a daycare near where I park. They’re open until eight to accommodate working parents, and sometimes I stop and chat with them and the kids–especially when the little ones have artwork that they’re waving around to show anyone who walks by.”
“I had no idea that place was open so late.”
“They are, and I think that’s awesome. I had asked about any open positions, but it turns out I don’t have the right degree,” she admitted sadly. “I could probably take some classes at the community college to get the credits I need but…I don’t know. It was just an option.”
There was more to this story, he thought, but he’d bide his time before delving any deeper.
“Any other places you like to check out on your way to the pub?”
“Oh, yeah. There’s the little bakery on the corner–you know, the one that only does cupcakes–and they always have the cutest displays, and the smells are amazing! And the pottery place always has some fun pieces in the window. I’ve often thought about going and doing one of their girl’s night events, but I have a feeling I’d break more than I’d make and paint.”
“You don’t know that.”
She gave him a look that pretty much screamed, “Really?”
“Okay, it could be risky, but you won’t know until you try!” And he hoped he sounded encouraging.
“You know what I’ve noticed when I’m walking up your block?”
“No, what?”
“The front of the pub could use a little facelift.”
All he could do was stare.
“You know, maybe a new awning, some window boxes, and…if your boss fixes the sidewalk, some bistro tables for out front. You know, something to draw in the lunch crowd.”
“We have been talking about expanding the menu…”
“I’m telling you, just perk up the exterior and you’ll draw even more people in!”
It was definitely something to consider. Actually, every time he and Willow got together, she always had some helpful tips for him to give to his “boss”. He was starting to feel guilty about not explaining how he was the boss, but there never seemed to be the right time.
Now. Now would be a good time!
“So, let me
