CHAPTER 3

MIA

“Well, what did you say?” El whispers, handing me the next cup. My hands move quickly to turn it, squinting at the scribbled name. Jane? Or maybe James…? The handwriting is a total mess.

“Is that a ‘M’ or an ‘N’?” I ask in return.

“Don’t change the fucking subject. What did you say?” she demands, her eyes drilling into me.

“I said no.” I turn away, heading toward the sink to avoid her reaction, but her silence says it all.

“What do you mean, you said no ?!”

She’s whisper-yelling, not that it matters—our customers can definitely hear her. It’s almost 10:30 AM on a Monday, well past rush hour, and the shop is nearly empty. All that’s left are the work-from-home types looking for a change of scenery and students needing a study spot.

For once, I wish we had a crowd so I could bury myself in work instead of replaying what is easily the most mortifying moment of my life.

“I mean, there was a fucking dildo sticking out of a box by my front door—I didn’t know what to say.” I barely notice as my hands begin to grip firmly on the edge of the sink.

“So, I said ‘no,’ grabbed everything in one go, and ran inside before slamming the door shut.”

“Wait, so you didn’t return the toy?” Eleanor speaks up. I finally release my grip and spin around to look at her, confused.

“Did you not just hear me? Hell no! I was stuck on my door like Spider-Man for a good 10 minutes before I finally sat down,” I say, throwing my hands up in exasperation.

“Oh my God, Mia! I told you to put the damn package outside her door!” El whines.

“Yeah, well, I fell asleep! Then I completely forgot I left it by the front door. You know how I get when I feel overwhelmed—I freeze up and say anything to get out of it as quickly as possible.”

“Yeah, but Mia, this is your neighbor. I don’t know if you’re getting out of this. You stole her damn sex toy,” Eleanor explains.

“I didn’t steal anything—” My finger points defensively at El’s face. “—she put the wrong address!”

“And now you refused to give it back.” She adds. Her tight smile and wide eyes make me realize how crazy this all sounds. I should’ve just put the damn box out in the hall when I had the chance.

“Have you seen her? Has she tried to talk to you since then?” El asks, her brows furrowing with concern.

“No. Absolutely not. I stayed in all weekend trying to avoid her. I can’t even imagine running into her after all of that.” The thought alone makes my stomach turn. I hadn’t heard anything from her apartment all weekend—no music, no screaming girls. I was starting to think she was taunting me with the silence.

This morning, I pressed my ear against my bedroom wall, trying to hear if she was home. I even looked at her apartment door ten times before finally stepping out and sprinting down the stairs for work.

“Well, then good. Maybe she’s moved on and forgotten about this whole thing, and is just trying to spare you the embarrassment too.” El’s smile is bright as she nods her head.

Maybe she’s right. She was right about putting the package outside, and I didn't listen to her then. The stress in my face melts away along with the tension in my shoulders. Griffin does seem like the type of girl who would forget that even happened. She’s probably already ordered three more toys while I’m busy stressing over this one.

I nod in agreement, feeling the weight of the whole weekend start to lift.

“Okay, but can you please come over tonight? I really think I just need a night of corny rom-coms. Please?” I’m practically begging, and she looks like she wants to roll her eyes, but I know I’m winning her over.

“Fine. Only because of the disaster you got yourself into this weekend! Now I’ve got to use the bathroom. Cover the floor for me!” I don’t even get a chance to reply before she’s gone. Besides myself, she’s the only person I know with a bladder the size of a squirrel.

I don’t even mind, though. At this point, I’m entering my last hour of work, and the shop doesn’t have a single person in line. So, I make my way back to the dishes and start tackling the massive pile we’ve accumulated over the past few hours. I know I’ll thank myself later when I’m done and cleaned up for the next day.

I’m only two dishes in when I hear the door open and the bell chime, reminding me to say hello.

“Welcome in! I’ll be there in just one moment!” I don’t hear a response, so I quickly turn off the water and dry my hands before walking over to the register.

“What can I get for you?” I ask, instinctively looking down as I reach the counter to type in my password and take the order. But the soft yet unforgettably strong voice that answers breaks me from my routine.

“Hmmm. What would you recommend?”

My head snaps away from the screen to see none other than Griffon , my next-door neighbor, standing right in front of me with the most mischievous smile I’ve ever seen.