Her hand slides over the door handle and tugs it open. My feet are rooted in place as she disappears through the door and comes out minutes later with an iced black brew. As she hands me the coffee, our hands brush, sending a slight jolt up my arm.
One sip, and I’m hit with smooth bitterness and the faintest hint of citrus. I blink. Holy shit, I’ve never tasted coffee like this before. “It’s…actually pretty good. What’s your secret?”
“Don’t sound so shocked,” she says with a teasing laugh. The sound shoots up my spine, leaving a warmth spreading through my body.
“You a reader, Kai Hastings?” she asks with an arched eyebrow. I wouldn’t mind her eyes roaming over me, which they do quickly before coming back to mine.
“I read,” I offer. “And not only contracts,” I add to reiterate my point.
“What was the last book you read for fun?” Her fist goes to her chin, awaiting my answer.
I think for a long minute.When was the last time I read an actual book?I’ve read magazines in the bathroom. Reading books isn’t exactly my thing, but hell, if I can admit that to her. “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
She tilts her head in wonder. “Good one…but also a high school assignment.”
“I liked it.” I shrug. It was the best answer I could come up with on the spot.
“Next, are you going to tell me The Giving Tree changed your life?” she quips, not missing a beat. Quick with the comebacks.
“Hmm…brutal.” I scrub my hand over my jaw as a slight smile tugs the corner of my lip upward, thinking about how we could go back and forth all day.
She laughs again, and for a moment, we’re both standing here. Our eyes meet for a split second before we both look away.
Staring out at all the people enjoying themselves, the competitive guys playing cornhole, the group of women in a semicircle watching the kids play in the sand and splash in the water, and the group of teenagers on the dock on their phones, not wanting to be here at a company family cookout.
I glance back at her. “So now that you’ve drilled me on books. How did you come up with the idea for a mobile coffee and book shop?” I’m fascinated by her story and how she ended up here. I also think I don’t want to walk away from her. It’s like being in her orbit is exactly where I am supposed to be.
“You have a few hours to listen to how it came to life?” She giggles and scratches the back of her head. I lean in, gesturing for her to continue.
TWO
Ava
Kai.He’s the suit type who hasn’t loosened his tie in a few years. But there’s a compassion that shines through his glacier blue eyes. Those eyes—clear with swirls of blues and greys. It’s like he sees straight through me, right down to my core. Not sure how he does it, but I feel seen.
“I’m not leaving anytime soon, and I didn’t come with anyone, so no one is waiting on me. Let’s hear it,” he says, dragging a couple of chairs over for us to sit, semi-private, tucked on the side of the yard. Away from the kids and the screaming men who are losing the cornhole game.
And don’t think I didn’t notice his oh-so-subtle mention of not being here with anyone or having anyone waiting for him. Duly noted, Kai. Duly noted.
“I don’t usually rattle off my life story, but if you insist on twisting my arm,” I say with a smirk. “If you asked me five years ago if I’d be running a coffee and book truck, I’d have laughed.” I chuckle, lifting my eyes to his. I could stare into those eyes for hours and not complain once. Lost in him, in the thrill that runs through my veins with his attention.
“I’m known to be persuasive when I want to be.” He hesitates for a moment before asking, “Did you want something to drink first?”
Whatever makes me glance at his crotch, I have no idea. Still, he catches me doing it, and I avert my eyes immediately. Crossing my legs and plastering on a smile, I clear my throat. Maybe I do need a drink.
“Ah…yes, if they have lemonade or iced tea, that would be perfect.” I need a minute to regroup. Not sure what it is about Kai. He has me all flustered, but thankfully, he didn’t call me out on staring down his junk. I shake my head at myself. Maybe I’m a bit more deprived than I thought.
As he struts away, I can’t help but notice how defined and toned his calf muscles are. The way they flex and move with each step is mesmerizing. Ripping my eyes off of him, I stare out onto the water for a much-needed distraction.
This property is breathtaking. The waterfront is on a point with privacy and tons of shoreline. There’s what appears to be a tiny house by the shore with a porch. I squint a bit to see that there’s a hammock on the porch. I can imagine myself swinging on it as I stare up at the stars, relaxing on the dock, swimming to cool off, and taking the boat out to watch the sunset. Paradise. It’s here on Mirror Lake.
I see blue movement out of the corner of my eye coming back this way. Kai’s royal blue polo is fitted across his chest and down his abs, accentuating his biceps, and all I want to do is wrap my hands around them. His dirty-blond hair is perfectly styled. It takes everything in me not to mess it up when he comes back.
He grins, noticing me appreciating the view. His grin is contagious; I can’t help but smile back.
Lowering himself down into the chair, he hands me the lemonade. Our fingers lightly glide over each other; we both freeze. My heart leaps out of my chest at the contact, and I have to take a sip of the drink to hopefully cover it up.
He leans back in his chair, still watching me. He’s in tune with me, wanting to know more, wanting to listen.
