“Make that two iced coffees,” Steven chimes in.“Large.”
“And I’ll take a green tea,” Flora adds.“Hot.With honey.”
Eve’s pulling on her coat when I stand up.“I’ll come with you.”
She pauses, one arm in her sleeve.“Why?”
“Because you’re about to carry five sandwiches and four drinks by yourself.And my mother raised me to be a gentleman.Even to the undeserving.”
She glowers at me.“Gentleman, my ass.I can manage?—”
“Sure you can.Just like you can reach the top shelf in the supply closet without help.”I grab my coat, smirking at the way she bristles.“Face it, Lopez.You need an extra pair of hands.”
“I don’t need anything from you,” she says through gritted teeth.
“Great.So when you inevitably drop everything halfway back, I guess you won’t expect me to help clean up the mess.”
Steven and Flora exchange glances while Joshua whistles.
“Just let him help, Eve,” Flora nudges.“What’s the worst that could happen?”
“Famous last words,” Eve mutters, but she doesn’t protest further.
The walk to Danny’s starts in hostile silence.Eve walks fast, as if eager to put distance between us.Given how tiny she is, I have no problem keeping up.But it’s funny to see her pick up speed, like that’s going to make a difference.
“You know,” I say after half a block, “most people would say ‘thank you’ when someone offers to help.”
“Most people don’t have ulterior motives.”
“What ulterior motive could I possibly have for carrying coffee?”
She stops and turns to face me, dark eyes flashing suspiciously.“I don’t know yet.But I’ll figure it out.”
“Maybe I just wanted to watch you struggle with a dozen drinks,” I say with a lazy grin.“Entertainment value.”
“There it is.”She starts walking again, faster this time.“You’re an ass.”
“And you’re welcome for the help, Princess.”
“Stop calling me that.”
“What?Princess?Why?It suits you.All that royal attitude, expecting everyone to bow down to your superiority.”
She whirls around so fast I nearly walk into her.“My superiority?You’re the one who thinks the sun rises and sets on your perfect ass!”
“At least I don’t walk around with a stick permanently lodged up mine.”
“Oh, that’s rich coming from?—”
A car honks as it passes, and we realize we’ve stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, facing off like we’re about to throw punches.The space between us hums with conflict and an undercurrent I’m trying to ignore.
“This is ridiculous,” Eve growls, crossing the sidewalk now.
“Agreed.”I trail after her.“You’re being ridiculous.”
She makes a sound of pure frustration and stalks toward Danny’s.I follow, enjoying the way her hips sway when she’s pissed off.
At Danny’s, Eve orders while I lean against the counter, watching her interact with the staff.When the kid behind the register tries to flirt, offering her his number with a nervous smile, I see my opportunity.
