Chapter 18

You felt like you were really starting to worry about Hikaru. It was Friday morning and she had gotten up to make you breakfast as usual, but she’d still had that stormcloud over her. Trying to cheer her up only managed to get you a few little smiles that quickly disappeared, and while she wasn’t turning any sort of anger towards you, you were worried that she was starting to go into a depression or something.

Deciding to give her some space instead of taking the day off, since she assured you she was ‘fine,’ you were left with the hope that Hannah would be able to get something out of her that weekend. In the meantime, you had your own stuff going on.

Paula, as always, broke into a grin as you entered the cafe and quickly handed off the till to one of her employees so she could say good morning to you. She was wearing her usual branded apron, but it was supposed to be a scorching day so she had a loose tank top underneath and a skirt instead of shorts. She’d also tied back her hair in a ponytail that left the ragged bangs free, and her quirky grin made you smile right back.

“Good morning, Ollie,” she said.

“Morning, Paula,” you said, accepting her hug.

As she stepped away she gave you a curious look. “Alright, what’s going on?” she asked.

“Nothing,” you said, but sighed again. “Well, something.”

“Lady troubles already?” Paula asked. “You just had that date!”

“No, no, not that,” you said. “That’s actually going really well. April wants to go out again this weekend and is setting up the date. I think she’s going to keep it a surprise.”

“Cute,” Paula said with a small, reserved smile. “So what is the matter?”

“Do you have any part-time staff openings?” you asked her.

Paula raised both eyebrows. “I mean, I do, but I think you’re a little overqualified, Ollie. I can’t exactly pay IT rates.”

“It’s not for me,” you said, knowing she was teasing you. “It’s for my cousin Hikaru. She’s come in a couple of times on the weekends.”

“Oh! She’s been in more than that,” Paula said. “She comes in some afternoons while she’s working on job applications.”

“I didn’t realise she came in,” you said. “It’s probably good she gets out of the apartment for a bit, at least.”

“So you’re hoping I might hire her?” Paula guessed.

“I think she might be feeling like she’s not measuring up to life after college,” you said. “She can stay with me as long as she wants, but she could be feeling like she’s freeloading and I don’t want her to. It would be nice if she had something more scheduled to base the rest of her life and job hunt around.”

“That could help,” Paula nodded. “I’ll tell you what. The next time she comes in, I’ll ask if she wants something part-time. Less than twenty hours a week, but enough to give her a few shifts and some cash in her pocket. I’ve got a few students on staff who are hoping to have someone new to trade shifts with when they need to, so she can probably work as much as she wants until she finds something more permanent.”

“Thank you, Paula,” you said. “That would be amazing.”

“Of course,” Paula smiled. “Plus if you’ve rubbed off on her at all, I’m sure she’s just as sweet as she seems and will fit right in.”

“I hope so,” you grinned.

Paula gave you your coffee and a pastry, and you hesitated but took the snack. You hadn’t started dieting and exercising yet. When Hannah told you what you needed to do, then you would start gently refusing the pastries.