Soulmates

Chapter eighteen - New job

Jordan's POV:

For the past week, Dylan helped us with the coffee shop. We decided to fix the floor as well. It wasn't that bad, but we wanted something fresh. The last thing we'll do is to order the furniture. The plan was to open it for Christmas, but this won't be possible. We can't finish that quickly. The paint needed a few days to dry. We came to open the windows. This will help to dry faster. Then we put another layer on top. It's good that my best friend is with us. I think he feels a bit better. He gets enthusiastic about working in the shop. This is why I plan to give him a job. Of course, I will ask him if he will accept. I won't force him to work for me. Even if he doesn't want to agree, I can always hire someone else. This is my last problem. Melanie found a girl to work with Cassie. It's her cousin. At least the girls know each other. We have to prepare for Christmas soon. This time, there won't be coupons. Instead, we'll give a free candy cane to each customer the last week before the holidays. We won't work for only three days. Then we'll work again, including New Year's Eve. Well, we'll close early. The plan is to spend the day with our friends. Dylan should be better by then. We'll make everything possible for this to happen. Chelsea will help us with that. I hope that we can finish with the new coffee shop soon.

Today, Dylan will officially be my new worker. I talked with him about that yesterday. He seemed excited. Let's see for how long he can keep that. I have left him to work with Josh for a while. They understand each other well. This is the good news. I know the shop will be in good hands. I trust both of them. It's not like I couldn't hire someone else. The thing is that I wanted to help my best friend. I thought this would be like a distraction from him. It might work.

We had breakfast half an hour ago. Now, Dylan and I are walking to work. I offered him to take the car, but he denied it. My best friend wanted a walk. It's not like I mind. Melanie and I do this often. Mostly, this is after work. This is when we have time for it. Soon, we arrived, and I opened the shop. Dylan helped me to order everything. Josh came as well. What is left to be done is for a customer to arrive. I went to check if we were in low of something. Later, I went back to the boys.

- How are you today, Dylan? - I asked

- I'm good. Are you sure I'm the person for this?

- Of course, you are. Also, I trust you. I know you won't fail me.

- I won't be so sure.

- Why? Did something happen?

- No, but I don't want to disappoint you.

- I don't think you can do this.

- Don't you need more qualified people?

- Man, you are making coffee. For what qualification are you talking about?

- He won't replace you. Give up. - Josh said, chuckling

- I don't mind working here. What's better than your boss being your best friend? Also, he is paying me.

- Well, you can't work for free. - I said

- Thank you for that. I needed it.

- This will be until you decide what you want to do. Let's call it a temporary solution.

- What if I want it to be permanent?

- What? Really?

- At least for now.

- I would love that. You will save time by not searching for a new employee.

- You and Melanie should focus on the new shop. Josh and I will take care of this one.

- I couldn't be happier. You should know that Josh is the boss. That is only because he has worked here longer than you.

- I don't care. All I need is a job.

- Hey, guys.

- Chelsea? What are you doing here? - Dylan asked

- Can we talk? Please.

- I can't do it now.

- What about tonight? It has to be today.

- Why?

- I can't tell you now. Please.

- Fine. We can go out after I finish here.

- If you want, you can go now. I'll stay here with Josh. - I said

- No, thanks. This is personal and should stay out of my working hours.

- If you say so.

Chelsea left. I don't know why he doesn't want to talk to her. Nothing will happen. They need to fix their relations. I can't understand why he doesn't want to do it. There is nothing wrong with dating her. The best thing is that they are friends. I wanted to talk with Dylan, but he went to work in the staff room. I guess now is not the time for this. I stayed here to help Josh. Three people are too much, but this will change after some time. Melanie and I should work in the new shop. I planned to talk to my old boss, but I gave up. I don't think he is the owner. I mean, of the building where his coffee shop is. This will only make things complicated.

During lunch break, I went to a restaurant. I got a message from Jason. He and Noah will wait for me. I have no idea what this is about. Dylan was not invited. I believe he will be the main topic.

- What is this lunch about? You didn't tell me anything.

- How is Dylan? He stopped responding to our messages. I know he reads them. - Jason said

- He leaves his phone at home. You can't find him that way.

- What is he doing? You and Melanie take care of him.

- Working.

- He planned to quit. - Noah said

- He did it. Now, he works for me.

- What? How?

- It took us a lot of convincing. Dylan needs to do something to occupy himself. Otherwise, he won't have any distractions.

- Is this permanent?

- Not for me. It will be until he finds out what he wants to do. Well, he plans to make it permanent.

- If he feels good there, it's an option.

- I planned to search for another worker. I can't leave Josh alone. Dylan was the perfect solution for me. Also, it makes him feel better. I don't know how. - I said, chuckling

- He will be fine. Right? - Jason asked

- I hope so. Chelsea is my only hope.

- I'm sure she can fix everything. No one else cares about him more than her.

I talked with the boys during the lunch break. Later, we went back to work. I tried to help the boys, but they handled everything great. I don't think they need me anymore. At the end of the work day, we went home. Dylan only came to take his phone. Then he went out to meet Chelsea. Hopefully, things will go well. I started making dinner. I assume the girls will eat outside. Melanie came soon and joined me. I like doing things with her. It's more fun.

- Where is Dylan?

- He went out with Chelsea.

- Really? Finally, something good happened.

- Don't have high hopes. I assume he will crush them.

- Let me dream.

- I'm only saying.

- I know. Thanks.

- How was your day?

- Good. I met Cassie's cousin. She is a nice girl. I liked her.

- When will she start working with you?

- Next week. I will officially retire. - she said, chuckling

- I would love to see that.

- I see your day was great. You are in a good mood.

- I was useless. The boys do everything.

- Don't worry. I might need you when we open the shop.

- You will, for sure.

- See?

- Fine. Point for you.

- Check this. - she said and gave me her phone

- Is that Katy?

- Yes. The baby is growing.

- I'm happy, but I still can't believe this is happening.

- Why?

- I always thought Dylan and Chelsea would be first. - I said, and she laughed

- It wasn't only you.

- We know who will never do it.

- Noah and Natalie look better as friends. I mean, they are more relaxed.

- What if one day she finds someone?

- I don't think so. She doesn't like him as a boyfriend. Well, she will never leave him.

- I hope so. It's good to have a friend by your side.

- Like me.

- No.

- Why?

- I said a friend, not a wife. There is a difference. - I said, chuckling

- Whatever. It's the same thing for me.

- Only for you.

- Check out the dinner, not me.

- I can check you out as much as I want.

- Are you sure?

- Yes, I am.

Melanie and I like to have silly arguments. Mostly, we do this for fun. When dinner was ready, we went to eat it in the living room. I left her to pick what we'll watch. It was a reality show. Sometimes, I like watching the drama of wealthy people. This one is about a family with a spoiled daughter. She rejected every boy who didn't have at least half of her daily allowance. I don't think there will be many candidates. I turned around and saw Dylan. When did he come back? No one heard him.

- Dylan, when did you come?

- A minute ago.

- How was it? You don't look happy.

- I'm confused a lot.

- Why? What did she do? - Melanie asked

- Explain this. We went to eat. No talking. Later, we went for a walk. We started talking. Maybe I should say arguing. She got mad at me, slapped me, and then kissed me. How should I understand that?

- She did what?

- I know girls are complicated, but damn it! What is that supposed to mean?

- This is one of her weird ways to say she cares about you.

- I would've never guessed it. She has a month for that. Talking would've been better. Now my cheek is red. - he said and touched it

- You will be fine. - I said

- I can permit many things but not to be beaten up by a woman.

- Come on. Don't be a drama queen.

- I'm sorry about what she did but try to understand her. You hurt her a lot. - Melanie said

- So? It's not only her.

- But she cares the most. How can't you see it? This girl is in love with you.

- Yeah, right. I'm an alien.

- No, you are stupid and egoistic. - Melanie said, madly

- What?

- What you heard. Stop being so selfish and appreciate the help people give you. - she said and left

- What did I do?

- Girls. They understand things differently and take them deeper.

- The fault is not mine.

- Are you sure?

- Yes.

- You like her, don't you?

- She needs to forget about that.

- Chelsea will do it. But then you will suffer.

- What do you mean?

- Exactly what you are thinking about.

I went to check on Melanie. I know why she got mad. Chelsea is her best friend. Also, she is trying everything to fix her friendship with Dylan. I wonder when he will see what he is missing. How many more signs does he need? Isn't this enough? The next time, I expect her to tell him she loves him. Maybe this will help. I have no idea what to do with him. Melanie might want to kick him out if he keeps it like that. It hurts her to see him in this state. Well, she can't do anything. Dylan is the one who has to man up and fix his problems. I hope that this will happen soon.