I know that’s what she’d told Max because more likely than not, he was the one watching Amelia tonight.
Max had been distant today at the office, only coming in to see me when there needed to be changes done to a marketing packet or assistance with a client. Other than that, I barely saw the man I called my best friend.
He’d given me his blessing to see his sister as long as I didn’t break her heart but it was hard to believe because it seemed like he was holding it against me. I wanted Max to see that I had no ill intentions toward his sister but I knew I was going to have to start showing him, rather than telling him.
“Hey.”
Melanie’s voice filled my ears and I turned toward where she was standing in a purple dress that hugged her body. For a woman who said that this wasn’t a date, she sure was dressed like it was.
“Hey,” I replied, taking a step toward her and reaching an arm out to give her a hug. Her small arm wrapped around my waist, giving a slight squeeze.
When I released her, she seemed a little more relaxed than when she walked up.
“Are those sharks in tacos?” Melanie laughed as she came closer to me, her fingers reaching for the sleeve on my shirt and taking it between her index and middle finger. I stared down at her as she looked at my shirt with intent and then let out a bellowing laugh.
“Yes. Yes, they are, Melanie.”
She jumped back at the sound of her name. I missed her in my space immediately. In the last few seconds, she went from being in awe of my shirt to ashamed that she’d been so close to me.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to get all in your business like that, I’m just a little nervous.” She tucked a loose piece of hair behind her ear. “Can we get something to drink?”
“Of course.”
I pulled open the door to the coffee shop, still trying to process Melanie saying that she was nervous. She seemed on edge and I was hoping that it wasn’t because of me. I wanted Melanie to feel safe and secure with me. I placed my hand on her back and guided her to the line to order.
Cafe Lucia was one of my favorite coffee shops to come and work when Max let me work out of the office. The atmosphere was perfect for making graphics for hours on end. Some bestselling novel’s covers were made in this coffee shop and that’s why I wanted to bring Melanie here. I wanted to show her something that I hadn’t shared with anyone else and I knew their selection would be something that she could order from.
I’d talked to Lilly and Alexa a little while at the office yesterday, trying to figure out what Melanie liked. They said she would order coffee or tea, it just depended on her mood. Luckily Cafe Lucia had both and a variety of other options.
“There’s so much to choose from,” Melanie said as she looked up at the chalkboard menu in front of us. I knew exactly what I wanted but I wanted to give her time to choose.
“Is there anything you recommend?”
She turned around and with my hand still on her back, she was practically in my arms. My eyes went from looking into hers, to her mouth, and then to where her hip was touching my thigh. She pulled away quickly, turning back to the menu board.
“Their smoothies are really good but I always get their Reese’s.”
“I’m thinking the Chai tea on ice but do you think they would blend it?”
“We can always ask.”
I stepped up beside her and waved over a barista at the other end of the bar.
“Can I get you both something?” She was a little too chipper for my liking with the megawatt smile on her face and the blonde hair flip but I put a smile on my face and ordered away.
“I’ll take the Reese’s and she’ll have a Chai tea on ice but is there any way you can blend it?”
“Blend it?” The look on the girl’s face turned sour as she looked over to Melanie. “I mean, I guess we can but why would you want it blended?”
“Because that’s how she would like it,” I squinted as I leaned in to see the small name written on her name tag. “Suzanne.”
“Can I also have a sprinkle of nutmeg on the top too please?”
Melanie was unfazed by the barista and her actions as she asked for the addition to her drink. Suzanne stared at Melanie, not moving and another of her coworkers came up behind her.
“Is there an issue, Suzanne?” The woman was much older than her and looked concerned that we were still standing there and there were now three other people behind us waiting to order.
“She’s wanting a Chai tea on ice and wants to get it blended.”
