“I think he just needs time,” I assure her.
Gaby rolls her eyes. “Or maybe a slap around his oversized head.”
Diego’s typing furiously on his phone as I peer over at him once more. I grab my order, ready to head out.
“How’s his mood today?” I subtly tip my head toward her brother, just in case he’s looking through the window. I know he isn’t, but a girl can dream, right?
Gaby grimaces. “Sour, so good luck. You’re a good woman for putting up with him.” She slips a double chocolate chip cookie in another bag, handing it to me with a grin. Her smile makes me narrow my eyes with suspicion. “Al . . . you’re sweet and super kind, aren’t you?”
“Thanks for the compliments. What do you need?”
The desperation shining in her eyes makes my chest ache. I would do just about anything for my best friend, and she knows she’s got me by my big, stupid heart. “Will you help Diego out? He needs to unwind, and you’re the only person I see him opening up to.”
At the sound of snow crunching beneath my boots, Diego turns around as I march over to him. With his hands buried in the pockets of his jeans, snowflakes falling atop his hair, and anunimpressed look plastered to his face, he’s the perfect portrait of indolence.
“Did you fall out of the bed?” I ask, amused.
“I wish I hadn’t,” he grumbles, staring me down as a rogue lock topples over his bunched brow.
I lift the cup meant for him. “I have exactly what you need.”
If he has noticed the overt cheeriness woven into my tone, he doesn’t let on. “Might need thirteen of these.”
He doesn’t look particularly exhausted, though. Bored? Yes. Annoyed? Definitely. Grumpy? That must be his favorite look.
“Rough night?”
His response is a little shrug.
Okay, then.
To say I’m offended is an understatement. I don’t know what I’ve done to piss him off, to have him ignore me when I simply try to engage in a friendly conversation. Though my dad didn’t specify the terms he and Wyatt have set, he did ask me to keep an eye on Diego, just to make sure he has everything he needs.
I know that I’m too nice at times, that I let people walk over me and take my kindness for granted. Diego is exactly the type of man I should stay away from, because it’s clear as day that he’s not interested in talking to me, but there’s just something about him that has piqued my interest. Something that makes me wonder why those walls are so hard to penetrate. And it’s not because Gaby asked me to help him. I’ve felt this sense of intrigue ever since his arrival.
“Where are your keys?” The deep baritone of his voice sends a chill racing down my spine.
“Sorry?”
Oh shit, was I staring at him?
“Keys,” he repeats grimly. “Unless you want to stay here in the snow.”
I arch a brow. “You don’t like standing in the freezing cold and making small talk with me?”
“Is there an option to skip this question too?”
“And is there an option where you could be more delightful?”
The corner of his mouth twitches – the smallest, barest motion – before he tightens his jaw and lets out a small sigh that creates a small cloud under his nose. “Did you decide to be massively annoying today?”
I laugh dryly. “That’s what I’m getting for buying you a coffee? So charming. You deserve to be stranded in the middle of a snowstorm.”
“As long as I’m snowed in with you,” he jests. Is that amusement twinkling around those dark irises of his?
My heart is thundering, almost battering its way out of my body, but being able to make a semblance of a smile touch his lips is really satisfying.
“Are you hitting on me right now?” I tease.
