Keeping Katie (Syndicate Kings Book 5)

“Thank you so much!” I hand the iced, nine-pump caramel, three-pump vanilla, two-and-a-half espresso shots with whipped cream latte to the waiting customer. She should have just ordered a cup of pure sugar because that’s basically what it is.

I’m all about sweet things. My hips are proof of that, but there is a line. Nine pumps of caramel in a single cup of coffee is way over it. Who am I to judge, though? That lady’s daily coffee habit helps keep me afloat, so maybe I should start asking if she wants to add even more flavors to her order. Upsell and all.

When I look around the cozy shop, my shoulders relax. There are still a few people seated at tables, having their afternoon drink of choice while they do whatever it is they’re doing. Enjoying their lives and taking a calm moment to breathe. It’s heartwarming that they choose to come here. Most of them are regulars I see at least a few times a week. At least, I do now that I’m working more shifts.

Maybe I should have hired another employee after my last one left. At the time, the distraction of working more was nice, but now that one of my other employees needs time off to get ready for her college finals, I’m working a bit more than I’d like. It’s a good thing I love my job. Some might feel like making coffee for a living isn’t a career, but it is for me. This shop was my parents’ dream, and now it’s mine to keep alive.

I glance up at the clock and push myself back from the counter. Enough daydreaming. If I don’t start my closing duties now, I won’t get out of here on time, and I’ve been here since five this morning. My bed is calling my name. After I head to my parents’ house to get some more packing done.

For the next half hour, I clean the espresso machine until it’s back to the glistening chrome it should be. Soft pop and country play over the speakers, and I end up humming along quietly as I work. One by one, customers leave, and the shop empties.

I start grinding coffee beans for tomorrow morning when the door chimes. After switching off the machine, I turn to meet the new customer at the register but when I see who it is, I practically run around to the front of the shop.

“Chloe!” We swing our arms around each other and hug. Then I realize she’s not here alone. She’s with another woman, and there’s a large, terrifying man lurking near the entrance with his eyes glued to them.

Chloe grins, her eyes sparkling. She’s so happy it’s vibrating off her. I’m thrilled she found Bash. I don’t know much about him other than what she’s told me.

“Hi! How are you? I’ve missed you,” she squeals. “Oh, this is my sister-in-law, Cali.” Chloe motions to the woman, then points toward the man. “That’s Patrick. He’s our chauffeur for today.”

When I peer back at him, I shrink under the glare he shoots our way.

“Not your chauffeur,” he mumbles.

Cali waves her hand dismissively. “He’s a bit sour about it. Don’t mind him. I love this shop!”

She walks around, looking at the various displays of gifts we sell. I turn my attention back to Chloe, my tummy doing a weird flutter.

“What are you doing here? Want me to make you your favorite drink?”

“As much as I’d love that, if I have caffeine this late in the day, I’ll be up all night driving Bash up the wall.” Chloe giggles and shifts from foot to foot for a second. “I just came to see how you were. We were in the neighborhood, so I made Patrick stop. How have you been?”

My heart squeezes as sadness settles over me. I know Chloe is asking from a genuinely caring place, but I hate the question. Is there a right answer? I don’t feel like there is. “I’m okay. Still working on clearing out my parents’ house. I need to get it up for sale soon. I can’t afford to keep paying the mortgage.”

Chloe brings her hand to her chest and steps forward, wrapping me up into another hug. “Is there anything I can do? Me and my friends can come help. You’d love them, and they’d totally love you.”

I hug her back and let myself find comfort in her arms. “Thank you for offering. I’m close to being done. I’ve been going there every night after work for a bit, and I think I only have a few more trips before the realtor can step in.”

She holds on for a long moment before she releases me and steps back with tears in her eyes. My mom always loved Chloe, and Chloe was always offering to help when her cancer returned.

I squeeze her arms. “I’m okay. I promise. Honestly, I’m ready to put all of this behind me and move on. Maybe make some friends or find a hobby or date. If I can ever find the time,” I huff and wave my hand dismissively. “I’m getting tired of only getting action from my smutty books.”

We burst out giggling. It’s nice to laugh. I haven’t been doing enough of it. Chloe suddenly stills, her eyes darting to mine and then toward Cali before her mouth curls into a smile. “Yeah, you definitely should date. Find yourself a hot man with money who will sweep you off your feet.”

Shaking my head, I scoff. “I don’t need a man with money. Just someone loyal and funny. If he knows how to make me scream, that’d be a plus.”

Cali walks up as I finish and grabs onto Chloe’s forearm. “Oh my God,” she murmurs.

“Uh-huh,” Chloe replies.

I glance back and forth between the women. “I’m confused. What?”

Chloe shakes her head. “Oh, it’s nothing. Dating sounds fun, though! Do you have any prospects in mind?”

Well, yeah. Thor, my vibrator, but I’m not going to tell them that. “No. Not at all. I guess I’ll have to join one of those dating sites or something. I’ve heard some pretty sketchy stories about them, though. I’ve never really had time for relationships. I’m not even sure how to go about finding a boyfriend.”

Cali and Chloe glance at each other, smirking.

“Sometimes, relationships just fall right into your lap. I guess when the right person comes along, it’ll just happen naturally,” Cali says, looking down at her hot pink fingernails.

I shrug. “I guess. I don’t know. I’ll figure it out when the time comes. First, I need to get my parents’ house sold and find more hours in the day.” Because seriously, I don’t have the time for a man. I barely have time to make a decent meal before I fall asleep for a few hours. And then I start all over the next morning.

“If you decide you want our help, we’d be happy to. But either way, let’s keep in touch more. As soon as things slow down for you, let’s do the girls’ night we’ve always talked about.” Chloe reaches out and grabs my hand, and a swell of emotion runs through me.

“I’d really love that. Thank you.” I pull her in for another hug, a brief one this time, before smiling at Cali. The woman doesn’t hesitate to grab me and throw her arms around me, catching me by surprise.

“It was so nice to meet you,” Cali squeals excitedly when she steps back. “Chloe has said the sweetest things about you.”

Gosh, I might be in tears by the time they leave. Are women always this supportive of each other? I don’t have a lot of experience with friendships, so I’m not really sure.

“I’ll text you in the next day or two, and we’ll plan something,” Chloe says as they make their way toward the exit.

The large, terrifying man gives me a stiff smile before he opens the door for them.

“Okay. Sounds great. I’m so glad you stopped by,” I tell them. They head toward a pristine, sleek black Escalade. “Nice meeting you, Cali!”

“Nice meeting you, too! Can’t wait to see you again soon. It’s going to be great. So great!” She waves enthusiastically, leaving me staring in confusion. What’s going to be great? Did I miss something?

They drive away, and just as I’m about to turn the lock on the door, Tom peers through the glass. I wave him in.

“Hi, Tom! I was about to dump the coffee carafes, so you made it just in time. I have some leftover pastries for you, too.”

They’re actually extras I make just for him, but I don’t tell him that. Tom has been coming to the shop for as long as I can remember. He’s homeless and pushes a cart around with all of his belongings in. Even though I’ve told him he can, he never comes in if there are customers. He doesn’t show up until just before closing when I’m about to dump the carafes.

“How’re you doing?” I round the counter and fill a cup for him.

“Cold today. Feels like it could snow.”

I frown and glance out the large windows surrounding the shop. We don’t get a ton of snow in Seattle, so when we do, it shuts the city down.

“You think it’s going to snow this late in the season?” I ask.

Somehow, Tom always calls the weather correctly. Maybe it’s because he lives out in the elements, so he feels it when things change. Whatever it is, I trust his forecast more than the weather people. But snow? I’m not so sure about that.

“Think so. Maybe a few inches,” he replies, running his hand over his scruffy beard.

I slide his coffee across the counter and sigh. “You need to go to a shelter if it gets that cold. Or you could take me up on my offer to sleep in the back office.”

He brings the cup to his lips and takes a long drink, ignoring my comment like he always does. “Thanks, Katie-girl. Stay safe, Little one. Lock this door behind me.”

Then he heads back outside, giving me one last wave before he disappears to wherever it is he goes. I’m not sure when or why my parents decided to start giving him free coffee. All I know is that my dad really respected Tom, and my mom doted on him every time she saw him. Whatever the reason, I’ll continue honoring that until he stops coming. As much as I hate to admit it, it makes my heart ache to know that one day he won’t be here anymore. I guess, in a way, he’s one of the few people I consider a friend. Maybe even family.

Although, after today, I think that might change. I might be in my mid-twenties, but I can hardly wait for a girls’ night.