“Right, yes!” Caspian straightens, all business now. “I’m really looking forward to trying them all.” He starts to follow Jason but pauses to look back at me. “See you around, Nate?”
I nod, probably too eagerly. “Definitely.”
As they walk away, Amelia elbows me in the ribs. “Real smooth, Stone. Real smooth.”
I give her a little push as we follow Brie up the path to the farmhouse. “Shut up and go get your cookies.”
The meeting with Jason’s dad goes quickly, and soon, we’re heading back outside. Amelia clutches her box of cookies like it’s made of gold, the smell of butter and chocolate making my stomach growl despite having eaten breakfast.
“These are mine,” she declares, holding the box closer. “All mine. Sheila gave them to me specifically.”
I laugh, shoving my hands in my pockets against the cold. “I wouldn’t dare try to steal them. I value my life too much.”
As we approach her car, I spot Caspian’s familiar vehicle still parked next to Amelia’s. My heart does that ridiculous flutter again, and before I can overthink it, I turn to Amelia.
“I’ll make you a deal,” I say, trying to sound casual.
She raises an eyebrow, hugging her cookie box. “I’m listening, but if it involves sharing these cookies, the answer is no.”
“You can keep all the cookies,” I assure her.
Both her eyebrows shoot up. “What do you want?”
I clear my throat, suddenly feeling like a teenager asking someone to cover for him with his parents. “If you could head back to the office without me…you can email me your notes, and I’ll write the report at home.”
Her eyes dart to Caspian’s car, and a knowing grin spreads across her face. “Oh, I see. And how exactly are you planning to get back to town? We’re miles out.” She pauses dramatically. “Unless…you’re hoping a certain coffee shop owner might offer you a ride?”
“Something like that,” I admit, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks despite the cold.
Amelia’s grin widens as she unlocks her car. “Deal. But only because you look so adorably smitten right now.” She slides into the driver’s seat, rolling down the window. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”
“That doesn’t rule out much,” I call after her as she drives away, her laughter carrying on the winter wind.
I turn back toward the building, my heart starting to race.
Leaning against Caspian’s car, I stuff my hands deeper into my pockets to ward off the cold. The metal is freezing through my jacket, but I don’t mind. The anticipation of seeing him again keeps me warm enough.
After what feels like forever but is probably only fifteen minutes, the office door opens. Caspian emerges with Jason, both carrying boxes I’m betting contain varied grades of maple syrup. Their laughter carries across the snow-covered ground, and I try to ignore the tiny prick of jealousy in my chest.
Caspian spots me first, his bright smile faltering into confusion as he glances around the parking lot. “Nate? Where’s your car?”
“Looks like I need a ride,” I say, pushing off his car and stepping closer. “If you’re heading back to town.”
Jason shoots me a knowing look as he helps Caspian load the boxes into his trunk. “The syrup samples should work great in your specialty drinks,” he tells Caspian. “Let me know how the testing goes?”
“Absolutely,” Caspian promises. “I’ll call you once I’ve tried them all out.”
After Jason heads back inside, Caspian turns to me with a raised eyebrow. “So…do you actually need a ride somewhere? The office, maybe?”
I step close enough to catch the scent of coffee and vanilla that seems to follow him everywhere. “My schedule just opened up for the rest of the day. What about yours?”
His eyes sparkle with understanding. “Funny thing, mine suddenly cleared up too.”
“In that case,” I say, reaching out to tug gently on the lapel of my coat that he’s wearing. I pull him closer and capture his lips with mine, savoring the warmth and sweetness of his mouth before pulling back with a smile. “I’m taking you out.”
“Oh?” His smile is playful as he unlocks the car. “Where are we going?”
I slide into the passenger seat, waiting until he’s settled behind the wheel before answering. “That’s for me to know and you to find out.”
