“Are you kidding? He’s got that whole ‘I speak fluent code’ vibe. He’s worked here a couple of times, and he has the geek look, even if he’s muscled as fuck. Definitely the hottest geek I’ve ever seen.”
“And?” I ask cautiously, already knowing where she’s heading.
“I’m suggesting that maybe your knight in shining armor could help with more than just crowd control.” Mika’s grin is gleeful. “You’ve got technology problems, he’s got technology expertise. Seems like fate.”
“I can’t ask a customer to fix my laptop, Mika.”
“Why not? He’s not a stranger, and I’m pretty sure he has the hots for you.”
My cheeks burn. “He does not—”
“Oh, he absolutely does.” She starts stacking chairs with obvious satisfaction.“Plus, with Aurora Coffee breathing down your neck, you need all the help you can get.”
I laugh and roll my eyes. But what if Mika is right?
“God,” I mutter, staring at the Aurora Coffee paperwork, “if only someone like Izzy had posted about us when she was here. That’s the kind of boost we need to compete with a corporate chain.”
An hour later,I settle into my favorite chair at the front of the cafe, my phone propped up next to me as I use my nonexistent computer knowledge to try to recover my lost files. It’s this or tackle the pile of unpaid bills, and this seems like the lesser evil while I talk to my best friend.
“It’s just frustrating, Sadie,” I sigh as my laptop beeps again, saying it couldn’t find the files I’m searching for. Frustrated, I close the lid and push it away from me. “The review was supposed to help, you know? ‘Best Local Coffee’ should mean something.”
“But it’s not bringing in more customers?” My best friend’s voice carries warm sympathy.
“Not enough. I get a few people who mention the article, but they’re usually people who come once and disappear.” I sigh and massage the back of my neck. “I do have a steady group of regulars, but it’s not enough. The condo building was postponed, and it seems like a lot of the construction around here is stalled. Though there is a construction crew in the building next door, prepping it for some new company. But who knows how long it will be before they’re finished and anyone moves in?”
“When they finish, you’ll have a whole building full of potential customers right next door,” Sadie points out.
“If I can survive that long.” I lean back in my chair and massage my neck. “And now Aurora Coffee wants to buy me out. The offer would solve all my financial problems, but...”
“But you’d lose your baby,” Sadie finishes.
“Exactly. I keep telling myself, one more month, and things will turn around. But what if they don’t? I’m not sure how much longer I can afford Mika, no matter how much I adore her and need her help.”
“You’re being too hard on yourself. Building a business takes time.”
“That’s the problem. Maybe taking their offer is the smart choice. Cut my losses and start over somewhere else.”
“So get help.”
“From who? It’s not like I can afford to hire someone.” I scrub my free hand through my hair.“I wish I had some kindof advantage. Something that could help me compete with a corporate chain.”
The words hang in the air, and I’m suddenly thinking about Owen again.About how Mika mentioned he might be a tech guy. And about Izzy’s visit today. God, what I would give if someone like her posted about being here. Even a single post might do the trick until the construction is finished next door. She’s the hottest new singer in the country.
“Actually,” I say slowly, “there might be someone.”
“Oh?” Sadie’s voice perks up with interest.
“A customer. He seems to know about technology, and he’s...he’s been really kind.” I don’t mention how much I look forward to seeing Owen walk through the door each morning. Or how I can never quite tell if he looks at me because he’s interested, or because he’s polite. His face never gives away his emotions. “I don’t know if I can ask him, though. It feels like too much. Mika suggested asking him if he could help retrieve the files I lost.”
“Vivian, honey, the worst he can do is say no. And if he’s been coming to your shop for months, he’s not a total stranger.”
I hear the bell for the front door and freeze. Didn’t I lock that? “Sadie, I have to go. Someone is trying to get in.”
“This late? Are you sure you locked—”
“I thought so. I’ll call you back.” I put the phone in the pocket of my dress, my finger on the emergency button. I haven’t had any problems, but I can’t yet see who’s at the door, and I don’t want to take chances.
A voice calls out. “Vivian? I saw the lights on. I wanted to check on you after the power cut earlier.”
