I, admittedly, was both anxious and excited for my break this morning. I'd made sure to go to sleep tonight so I wouldn't repeat Monday morning's exhaustion, but that was after a full afternoon of writing Renalt's adventure. While I wanted to continue

Amaranth's story, after writing her book to be over two hundred thousand words, I didn't think I could bring myself to write another novel of the same or similar size with the same characters.

According to Carly, my readers thoroughly enjoyed the story and would read anything I wrote. Renalt's story was more like a traditional fantasy, full of adventure and creatures of myth and lore. I'd enjoyed reading and writing about medieval literature while in college, and this story would honor that appreciation.

I made myself some oatmeal before I left for work and nearly scalded my mouth, trying to inhale it. Being five in the morning, there was no traffic, even for a Wednesday.

I was working with Regina today. This was evident by her gray Ford fusion in the parking lot. Part of me seized with anxiety. Would she talk to me about the position? Or had someone else called out for today?

I entered the building as quietly as I could, hoping not to draw attention to myself. Dishes were being collected from the kitchen as I could hear the familiar clunking of plastic bins and pitchers. 

I set my bag down on the counter before clocking in. Regina's presence would make my break with Thomas harder. She would probably tell me that I couldn't invite friends to hang out with on my break. She hadn't before, but I'd never had anyone meet me during my break. Besides, I clocked out for that; therefore, it was my own time.

I turned on all of the espresso machines and made sure there were enough cups, lids, and straws to get us through the morning. After that, I refilled the sugar at each creamer station before checking the ice. Night shift had forgotten to drain the ice bin, so I unplugged that over our floor drain.

While I was waiting for the melted ice to drain, Regina finally made her appearance from the kitchen.

"Hey! I didn't hear you come in. No one was scheduled to work this morning with you, so I decided to come in before my usual time," I refrained from narrowing my eyes at her. There was no way... Regina never came in before ten in the morning.

"It's all good. I'm just waiting for the ice bin to drain. They forgot last night," I told her.

"Okay, I'll get started on the iced teas then as I see all the sugars in the creamer stations have been filled," she paused, and then asked, "are the creamer wells full?"

"Yes, and the whole milk jugs are also at each station," I replied. Soon enough, it was opening time. Regina hadn't inquired about my conversation with Plain Jane by then, and I expected she'd finally accepted that I wasn't interested in the position. I was mistaken. By the time things became slow, around seven thirty, she sparked up the conversation.

"I know Jane spoke to you the other day about becoming a manager," she began. I gave her a look. "And I know we've spoken about it before, but I genuinely think you'd be more than capable in the position." She continued as if my look meant nothing.

"I respect you, Regina, truly, but I don't think I'm the person for such a position," I'm content with where I am at right now, I added in my head. "Jenna is more suited, and she actually wants the position," I said. Regina gave me a wry look.

"Jenna is good, but you've always shown more initiative and care in your work," she wasn't incorrect, Jenna was younger than me at twenty two, and she'd come a long way in the year and a half we've worked together. Regina was eyeing me as if I needed to say something else. "Look, they're opening up a new store on the west side, and it's going to be big. They want to have the best team available, and you're one of the best," so that was the kicker. Of course, I could give in and accept the position, but it would ruin my upcoming book tour and the routines I've created.

"I can't take the position. I've got things going on outside of work that need my attention, and this will take away from that," I told her. It was the truth, though the barest of truths.

Regina gave me a look of disdain. "Very well, I'll let Jane know so she doesn't continue to crawl up my ass about it," I let out a shaky breath as Regina stepped away to make that phone call.

By eight, Jenna came in the door, and I could see the wild look in her eyes. "What did you say to Regina? She told me she wanted to speak to me when I came in and didn't sound happy," I winced. Had I said something? Was she miffed at my rejection?

"I turned down the position offer. I just can't do it," I told her. She gave me an unapproving stare. "What? I do have a life outside of work, and I'd like to keep it. I know what Regina has to go through, and I'd rather not be put in the same position," Jenna scoffed.

"You, having a life outside of work...that sounds funny. Last I checked, you cleaned, slept, and read when you went home, unless there's something you're not telling me," Oh jeez. I thought to myself. Was I such a predictable pumpkin?  Jenna clocked in and went to meet with Regina while I took care of a few more customers. They came back up front five minutes before my break, and just in time to see Thomas entering the building. I couldn't help the foolish grin that spread across my face as he walked up.

"I'll have my usual," he said impishly. I needed no explanation, even though this had only been my second time serving him. This drink was my particular favorite as well.

I made his drink before clocking out for my break. I earned a side eye from Jenna while I took a seat at one of the tables with Thomas. I hadn't noticed before, but he had brought a bookbag with him.

"I pulled some other books from my shelves as well if we wanted to talk about them," he held up an array of books from his bag as he spoke. I couldn't help but laugh. I was wholly unprepared for this break. I wrung my hands before wiping their clammy selves onto my pants.

"I feel bad, I didn't bring anything to offer as conversation," I told him. He waved me away.

"I come overprepared to just about anything, so there is no need to worry," he said. I couldn't help the snort that left my mouth.

"So, I know you wanted to talk about Amaranth when we spoke yesterday. Jenna actually mentioned it the other day, and it seems to be gaining popularity," I began.

"Yes! I know you said you'd never read any of Nora Roberts' works, but I feel like Amaranth emulates the Dragon Heart Trilogy really well; however, it feels more personal," Thomas began, and then followed with "I brought the first book in the series if you're interested in reading it," in all honesty I hadn't given the author much thought, and though the gesture was sweet, I wanted to say no. I didn't say no when he offered me the book, though.

"I can see why you think Amaranth feels like a more personal read. I felt that the writer was having some internal battle with authority and maybe a lack of true family," I said in response to his comment. It really was the reason I wrote Amaranth. My mother had shown herself to be rigid for sure, but her apathy left little room to nurture my creative spirit. She had no true love for anything but her work, and her faith.

"Really? I kind of got the sense that she was immature, and the story was about her gaining that maturity to overcome insecurities," he quipped. I had to mull the thought over. Could other readers think the same? "That's not to say your point isn't valid, but she is fifteen when she enters the portal, and the flashbacks scenes in the years after allude to her ignorance and lack of maturity," Thomas added.

"I can see why you're saying that. I don't have an argument against it," I supplied. Books weren't meant to be read the same by different people. My intentions from writing it are different from how the book is actually perceived even though I hoped for it to be perceived that way.

"What is your favorite book?" Thomas asked.

"Lord of the Rings, Return of the King," I answered without hesitation. "Because it supplies a beautiful ending to a beautiful Trilogy, although Tolkien had created an entire world," Thomas grinned at my response.

"I half expected you to say something to the effect of The Dragonriders of Pern," he said, laughing lightly.

"To be fair, I've never read them. I discovered my passion for reading very late in high school before going on to get a bachelor's in English literature," I told him. Before actually reading books, I wrote a lot. I wanted to be a writer above all else.

"That's hefty. I have a bachelor's in business and administration. I'm working on my masters in finance," I couldn't help but snort at this.

"I'm sorry, it just seems so basic, but if that's what you want to do, I can't fault you," I said sincerely.

"I've always been partial to numbers and working with numbers, but it is contradictory to my passions for books. I did not decide on my education. My father is paying for my schooling, so he decided I had to follow in his footsteps as a successful businessman,"

"Why indulge him?" I asked before I could stop myself.

"Because," and Thomas paused, contemplating his answer. I waited patiently. "...I was not what he wanted. After he divorced my mother, the court decided I was to remain in his custody instead of my mother's. It was not a pleasant time..."

"I'm sorry," I said with sincerity.

"Don't be, it's not your fault I have a strained relationship," he brushed away the topic, and I didn't press further.

Instead, I made my way back to the previous topic, "Who do you relate to most in Amaranth?" I asked.

"Probably Rowan. I feel like his character aligns with my upbringing. Although Faolin was not his father, as an older brother, he took on the parent role when their parents died. I also feel that Rowan's proclivity to disobey Faolin was highly relatable," Thomas chuckled. He had a nice laugh. I wrote Faolin to be a leader, and by extension, a sort of father figure to both Amaranth and Rowan.

"I did question though why the author didn't have Rowan and Amaranth meet during her first trip at fifteen. Especially since their relationship sets the tone and expectation for Amaranth's second trip,"

"Maybe she thought Faolin wanted to keep them apart because of their inclination to be troublesome," I offered. I had questioned myself on that matter before and cursed myself as well for that plot hole. We couldn't all be perfect writers, though.

"I don't know, I feel it was an accidental plot hole, but not of much importance," If he could notice it, though, then other readers may have the same issue. I would consider rewriting the areas that seem troublesome in the future and offer it as a limited edition.

"You asked me my favorite book, and now I want to know yours," I said after a slight pause.

"I hate picking favorites of anything, but if I had to choose one book above every other, it would have to be Dan Brown's DaVinci Code and perhaps the entire series to follow. I loved the twists and turns and how he made religion a more relatable and modern subject rather than pure fantasy," Thomas replied. His expressions made me feel giddy. It was so refreshing to speak with someone who shared my passion for books and reading.

"I can agree with that. Dan Brown is an author I initially explored in my senior year of high school for book reports. While I'm not particularly religious myself, it helped me to understand the mindset of those who are," I said in turn. I thought about the many hours I spent writing reflections of the DaVinci Code. They weren't as insightful as they could be now, but I'd been so proud of the work I'd done.

"You live in a small town in Florida of all places, isn't it blasphemous to not be religious," I had to wince.

"My mother was a die-hard baptist and never took the liberty to get into, or try to understand, me and my interests because they were too provocative and not ideal for a Christian household. In return, I regarded her obsession about her faith in the same way," I explained almost nonchalantly.

"Your exploration in Brown's work would suggest otherwise," Thomas pointed out.

"Yeah...it was a last-ditch effort to form a relationship with her before I left for college," I said, fighting the rising emotions in me. I glanced at the clock above the coffee station and saw with regret that I had a whopping two minutes before my break was over. "It is time for me to get my barings and get back to work," I said, rising from my chair, legs stiff from sitting for a prolonged time.

"Of course, I open the shop tomorrow for my aunt, so I won't be able to stop by during your break, but how about we do this again on Friday?" He asked.

"Yes, I'd like that very much. I'll be more prepared," I replied with a grin.