Millions of people were in between jobs, Sadie thought, but for some reason, when she said it aloud, it made her cringe.
The thought of starting over in a new job gave her anxiety. She’d thought of asking Leona for a job, but Leona didn’t need anyone else in her store. Sadie would just be in the way.
If Sadie were truthful, she’d like to be an author and make a living creating stories for others. But that wasn’t something someone did and got a paycheck to live on right away. She knew enough people who had tried their hand at it, and those who made a living at it had already spent years building their brand and writing their books.
“What were you doing before?” Charlie asked as he finished his muffin.
“Bookkeeping. It was for a small company that made boxes. But, after the pandemic, box sales weren’t enough to stay open.”
His brows drew together. “There are boxes everywhere.”
“And there are bigger companies making them.”
He nodded slowly. “You know, Isabelle,” he turned and pointed to the woman who sat at the register on a stool, “she’s going on maternity leave. But I have it under good authority that she’s not coming back.” He leaned in. “She’s going to stay home and raise her baby.”
“That makes me very happy,” Sadie said, thinking about the missed opportunity her and her mother had to do that, since her father had taken off on them when Sadie was little.
“I can get you a job.”
Sadie felt her heart rate kick up. “Oh, I don’t…”
“They pay well. I mean, as well as a mom-and-pop coffee shop could. But they do. They take care of their employees, and as you can see, they don’t lack for business.”
“Do you really think they’d hire me?”
“In a New York minute.” Charlie pulled his phone from his pocket, slid his finger over the screen, and then handed it to Sadie. “Put your phone number in here. I’ll talk to them on Monday and text you. I mean, ideal for you, you’re close to work.” He laughed, and she couldn’t help but do the same.
Sadie put her information into his phone and handed it back to him.
Then, Charlie lifted his phone to face her. “Say, cheese.”
She smiled, but she was sure it was horrible. “I don’t think you need to put my face in your phone.”
“Why not? It’s a great face.”
Sadie’s mouth dropped open. “Thank you,” she stammered out the words as Charlie’s eyes lifted from his phone to meet hers.
“It is. You have specks of gold in your eyes that sparkle.”
“They’re hidden behind these horrible glasses.”
Charlie shook his head. “They’re not horrible. I think they’re great.”
Sadie swallowed hard. “Maybe you should be wearing them.”
“I had some pretty thick ones in high school. For graduation, my dad gave me vision correction. It was then I realized I had this horrible blond mop on top of my head,” he joked as he ran his fingers through his curls.
“I like your hair,” Sadie said, lifting her cup to her lips.
Charlie let out a small chuckle as he tucked his phone back in his pocket. “Aren’t we a pair?”
“I guess we are.”
He leaned in to her. “Let’s make a pact. I think you’re beautiful, and exciting. And you seem to like my hair,” he said, and that made her laugh. “So let’s promise one another that we won’t speak ill of ourselves, and we’ll appreciate that the other one likes those little things we find amiss.”
Sadie had to remind herself to breathe. His little monologue had made her heart squeeze, and she was feeling something she’d never—ever—felt before.
Charlie held out his hand to her. “Deal?”
Sadie set her drink on the table, looked at his hand, and shook it. “Deal. It’s not going to be easy. I can be easily critical of myself.”
“Then part of this deal is to remind the other one that we,” he said, motioning between them. “You and I, think the other is perfect.”
The smile he wore now showed off a glorious set of white teeth, which Sadie hadn’t taken note of until then.
She was smart enough to take everything he was saying with a grain of salt. It was the holiday season after all. People were friendlier and more charming during the holidays.
“Okay,” she agreed. “I have to admit, I went to Leona’s to pick up a book to make myself feel better this Christmas. Meeting a new friend wasn’t expected.”
“It’s a Christmas bonus,” he said, pulling back his hand, picking up his drink, and sipping. “Why did you need something to make you feel better? Is Christmas not your favorite time of the year?”
Sadie kept her smile in place. “Oh, I enjoy it. I love to see people happy. But the holidays at our house were always a bit tough.”
He nodded thoughtfully. “Hopefully you’ll look at this one as being a memorable one. You know, the year you met a new friend.”
Sadie nodded, now feeling that optimism. “I think you’re right.”
“And, I think my grandma will enjoy you. She loves new friends.”
And hadn't he already told her that?
Suddenly, Sadie couldn’t wait to meet his grandmother. Though she didn’t know too much about Charlie, she could tell he came from good people, even if he didn’t know about vintage cinema.