Free What's Done in Darkness by Kayla Perrin Page A

parents. Certainly she understood the pain.
    â€œThat’s not what I meant,” she said. “Look, I know it hurts, but when we lose people, we just have to move on. We still have to live.” She started to bend down. “I know; I’ll change the music.”
    She reached under the counter, and several seconds later the music changed from mellow to funky. As she stood tall, she began to shake her head to the beat. “Ahh, that’s more like it. Nothing better than a bit of shoulder bopping to get you through the rest of the day.”
    â€œRight,” I said, my voice tight.
    â€œJeez, Jade. Lighten up. Are you always this sensitive?”
    Was I being sensitive?
    â€œGuys don’t like it when women whine and get depressed.” She gave me a pointed look. “Just saying.”
    My lips parted, and I gaped at her. So now she was saying that my attitude had sent Wesley running? She knew nothing about my relationship with Wesley!
    â€œExcuse me,” I said, and started for the back of the shop. Tears were already burning my eyes, and I felt my ire rising.
    How dare Katrina make me out to be some sort of emotional cripple? I barely knew her. What gave her the right to make those kinds of judgments about me?
    I went into the bathroom, locked the door, then reached into my apron pocket and withdrew my cell phone. I was ready to call Marie, tell her I was returning home. I wasn’t about to spend the summer working for someone so insensitive.
    My fingers hovered over the phone, about to write the text. And then I remembered Wesley’s words at the hospital.
    It’s like you want to hang on to your pain, let the world know you’re suffering.
    Was that really how I came across to people?
    â€œShit,” I muttered. Then I blew out a frazzled breath. Maybe I was the problem and I was too blind to see it.
    No sooner than the thought came into my head, there was a knock at the door. “Jade?” came Katrina’s voice.
    â€œI’ll be out in a minute,” I said.
    â€œLook, I didn’t mean to be harsh. I just … I don’t want to see you sink into depression. You’re in Florida. Endless sunshine, great weather. A chance for a new start.”
    I opened the door and forced a smile onto my face. “I know,” I said. “And I get it. I’m going to do my best to keep the past in my rearview mirror and focus on the future.”
    Katrina grinned from ear to ear. “That a girl.”
    â€œBy the way,” I said. “We didn’t talk about it, but do you want me working till nine?” That was when the shop had closed yesterday.
    â€œIf it’s not too much, yes.”
    â€œIt’s fine,” I told her. “The more hours I work, the more money I make.”
    â€œAs I expand, I hope to eventually hire staff to work a morning and an evening shift. I’m even thinking of keeping the shop open until ten or eleven a few days of the week. I’ll see as time goes by. For now, I’m still feeling my way around the business.”
    â€œLike I said, I’m happy to work.”
    And work was good. It would keep me too busy to sit around worrying about my life.

 
    CHAPTER EIGHT
    A week later, I was getting into a flow at the café. I knew how to use the computer, and I was starting to learn to make some of the specialty drinks. I was enjoying being a waitress and definitely loving the tips.
    But I was still learning all of the ropes, so I was surprised when Katrina asked me to oversee the coffee shop on Thursday afternoon, saying that she and Christian had to run out and do something.
    â€œOh,” I said. “You’re sure?”
    â€œIt’s always slower in the afternoons,” she said, taking off her apron. “And between you, Tony, and Alexis I’m sure you can handle it.”
    â€œAnd if we can’t?” I asked, feeling a spurt of panic.
    â€œYou’ll be