“That’s only for you. In the spirit of clinginess—yes, it’s a word—I need you to know that my feelings for you have taken the fast train straight to Love Town. You should probably be careful. People will warn you about me.”
This time it’s his turn to laugh.
“I do like to live dangerously,” he says.
20
ARLO
As soon asI walk into Bittersweet, I’m hit by the smell of fresh ground coffee and cake.
I don’t often come to the best coffee shop in Stillwater because it’s a little out of my way, and Liv is always happy to share her amazing cookies, but I’m meeting Levi and Ava, so I thought it would be nice to sit outside.
“Hey, my dude,” Julius says from behind the counter. “Give me a second to finish icing these cupcakes and I’ll be with you. Are you in a rush?”
“Nah, I’m waiting for someone, so I’m good. Besides, watching you work is better than a baking show.”
He laughs without stopping his practiced moves as he pipes perfect swirls on the cupcakes.
“How have you been though? I heard about the craft fair committee meeting. That Martin woman…” He stops himself and looks around. It’s a beautiful spring day, so most of his customers are sitting outside with their coffee and cake. He continues, “I swear to you, when she’s got it in for someone, there’s no fighting her. Still, if there’s anything I can do to help.”
“Thanks, Julius. Since the meeting, I actually found out the real reason they’re not giving me the license, but I have a plan.”
“Ooh, do tell.”
I chuckle. Julius is such a gentle giant. He’s got to be at least seven feet tall, but he’s got such a sweet and gentle persona, and he’s easy to talk to.
“Ugh, it’s the oldest one in the book.”
“Fuck, really? Because you’re gay?” He stops to add more buttercream to his piping bag. “It can’t be that. No…really?”
I nod. “Actually, there’s something you could do if you’re up for it. I’ve made a bunch of decorative bug wings like butterflies, ladybugs, bees, that kind of thing. Would you be up for having a small display on your wall? They’re really small and don’t take much space.”
“Oh yeah, sure. Do you have business cards or a website? I can have a bunch of them here, so if people ask about them, I can hand them out.”
“That’s…thank you, Julius. That’s really kind of you. I’m hoping to show the town that my crafts are good enough for the fair, so by the next meeting, she can’t refuse my application.”
“It’s the least I can do after making you wait. I’d have made these earlier, but it’s been busy. Friday, you know?” he says, putting the piping bag to one side and the trays with the cupcakes on a trolley.
“You had a barista last time I was here.”
“Oh man, these kids. I swear if it’s not on an app, they can’t do it. It’s so hard to find someone reliable that I might as well do everything myself. Anyway, what can I tempt you with today?”
“A large coffee and a carrot cake, please” I’m not sure what Levi likes and what Ava is allowed to have from the selection of way-too-good-to-be-healthy treats, so I better not decide for them.
Julius puts my stuff on a tray, and I pay for it, taking it to an outside table that just became free.
“Arlo!” I look up and see Ava running toward me with her trusty ladybug wings on her back.
Levi is right behind her. His smile as our eyes meet makes my stomach fill up with crazy butterflies. I smile back and focus on the little girl in front of me.
“Hello, Ladybug. How are you today?”
“I’m okay. Daddybug said I could have a milkshake and a chocolate brownie,” she says, clapping her hands and sitting on the chair in front of mine.
“Oh, did he? You must have been a really good girl to get a milkshakeanda brownie.”
“I finished my schoolwork super-fast.”
