Chapter 16 First Day Gone Wrong
I woke up with a heavy weight on my chest.
No prayers this morning. I couldn’t even bring myself to say them. The words felt fake after what I had done last night. After how desperately I had clung to Eli behind the chapel, after how good it felt when he came inside me.
I dragged myself to the bathroom, showered quickly, and stared at my reflection. My eyes looked tired. Guilty. I brushed my hair into a neat ponytail, put on the pale blue polo shirt and black pants Mom had bought for the café job, and went downstairs.
Mom was already in the kitchen, humming an old hymn while packing my lunch. She smiled when she saw me.
“Look at you,” she said proudly. “My working girl. You look so responsible.”
I forced a smile. “Thanks, Mama.”
Breakfast was quiet. I picked at my toast while Mom talked about how this job would teach me discipline and keep me “out of idle hands.” Every word made the guilt twist deeper. If she knew what her “responsible” daughter had done last night…
She dropped me off at The Blessed Bean at 7:45 a.m. The café was small, cozy, with wooden tables and Bible verses framed on the walls. The smell of fresh coffee and pastries hit me as soon as I walked in.
The manager, Mrs. Harper, was a middle-aged woman with a warm smile but sharp eyes. She gave me a quick tour, showed me how to work the register, how to make the basic drinks, and where to keep the cleaning supplies.
“You’ll mostly be on the counter today,” she said. “Smile, be friendly, and remember — we serve the Lord through excellent service.”
The first few hours were a blur of nervous mistakes. I messed up two orders, spilled milk on the counter, and apologized too many times. Customers were mostly nice, but one older lady clicked her tongue when I gave her the wrong change.
By 10:30 a.m., I was already exhausted.
Then I heard a familiar voice outside.
“Abby!”
Beth was walking past the café window. The moment she saw me, she yelled my name excitedly and waved both hands. A few customers turned to look, startled by the sudden outburst.
Beth’s face turned red. “Sorry! Sorry!” she called inside, then rushed to the door and stepped in.
I laughed despite everything. “Beth! What are you doing here?”
She came behind the counter and hugged me quickly. “I was heading to my dad’s restaurant to help with lunch prep. I didn’t know you worked here! When did this happen?”
“It happened so fast,” I said, wiping the counter. “Mom told me yesterday. I started this morning.”
“Today?” Beth’s eyes widened. “That was fast! Are you okay? You look a little tired.”
I shrugged. “First day nerves, I guess.”
We talked for a few minutes while I pretended to clean. Beth told me her dress for the Purity Ball was almost ready — light pink with lace details. She asked about mine. I told her I hadn’t gotten one yet.
“The ball is in two weeks, Abby!” she said, eyes wide. “You have to get one soon. Everyone’s so excited. Especially Josh. He’s been telling people he hopes you two get paired.”
My stomach twisted. “Yeah… we’ll see.”
Then something hit me.
“Uh, Beth?” I said, my face suddenly turning serious.
“What’s up?” She raised a brow.
“Do you remember what you said the last time we met?” I asked, unsure if I should even bring it up.
“We said a lot of things, girl.” She smiled softly. “Remind me.”
“About Pastor Matt’s son’s fiancée?”
“Oh, yes.” Her face lit up as though she had just been handed the chance to share a secret. “I heard his fiancée…”
Before she could finish, her phone buzzed insistently.
She glanced at the screen and stood up abruptly.
“My dad,” she said, slipping the phone into her bag. “I’ve got tolater.Talk to you later.”
Beth had to run to her dad’s restaurant. She hugged me again before leaving. “Come by later if you can! We can talk more.”
The café got busier around lunch. I was trying to make a complicated order when the manager sighed loudly.
“Joshua is late again,” she muttered. “That boy…”
The bell above the door jingled.
Speak of the devil.
Josh rushed in, apron already in hand, hair slightly messy, looking flustered. The moment his eyes landed on me behind the counter, he froze.
“Abby?” he said, surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"I work here."
“WHAT?... You… you work here now?”
“Yeah,” I said softly. “Started today.”
He stood there awkwardly for a second, then gave me a shy smile. “That’s… nice. Really nice. I work here too. Part-time.”
The silence between us was painful. This was the same Josh who had caught me with Eli. The same Josh who had a huge crush on me since kindergarten. The same Josh who had looked so hurt the last time.
“So… how’s your first day going?” he asked, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Busy,” I said. “I already messed up two orders.”
He chuckled nervously. “Don’t worry. It gets easier. I can help you if you want. I’ve been here for three months now.”
“Thanks,” I said, forcing a smile.
He lingered for a moment, clearly wanting to say more. “Abby… about yesterday. When I saw you and Brother Elijah… I didn’t mean to assume anything. I just… I care about you. A lot. And I worry sometimes.”
I felt my face heat up. “It’s okay, Josh. Really.”
He nodded, but the hurt was still in his eyes. Before he could say anything else, a customer called for service.
I turned to make the drink, hands shaking slightly. Josh moved to help me, reaching for the same cup at the same time. Our fingers brushed. We both pulled back quickly.
“Sorry,” we said at the same time.
The awkwardness was thick. Josh tried to play it cool, but I could see how nervous he was. He kept stealing glances at me when he thought I wasn’t looking.
Later, while I was carrying a tray of coffees to a table, I tripped over a chair leg. The tray tilted. Hot coffee spilled everywhere.
I slipped on the wet floor.
Strong hands caught me before I hit the ground.
Josh’s broad arms wrapped around my waist, holding me steady. For a few seconds, we stayed like that — his face close to mine, my hands on his shoulders. His breath was warm. His eyes were kind.
“Are you okay?” he asked softly.
I nodded, cheeks burning. “Yeah… thank you.”
We stayed in that position a moment longer than necessary. The café seemed to quiet down around us.
Then the bell above the door jingled.
I looked up.
Eli was standing in the entrance, staring straight at us. His expression was calm on the surface, but his eyes were dark with something dangerous.