I start making his drink.
“Tate?”
“Sorry. Can’t hear you over the milk frother.” I hold his eyes as I press the button, cutting him off again as he opens his mouth.
He grumbles something, his hands resting on his hips as he waits for me to make his drink.
“Cocoa dick,” Ashley whispers as she moves past me to take over serving the line.
“Blocking me wasn’t necessary,” Sullivan grumbles as I place his cup on the counter and reach for the cocoa.
“I didn’t. I changed my number for another reason. The world doesn’t revolve around you.”
His brows perk. I bet no one’s ever spoken to him like this before. It makes a thrill dance up my spine, despite the fact a small part of me still threatens to go all awkward in hispresence. I can’t help it. When he stares at you like he is right now, it’s unnerving. He’s so… intense.
“Fine,” he grits. “Whatever the reason, I need your new one. I want you to come back.”
I pause with the cocoa, then place it down and slide his un-dusted latte to him. “No.”
“No?” He splutters like he can’t possibly have heard me correctly. “I said I was sorry, because I am.I’m sorry, Tate. I was wrong.”
He leans closer and I have to fight back the involuntary urge to shiver under his undivided attention.
“I appreciate the apology, but my answer is still no. You made me feel like a criminal. Like some low-class liar.”
His jaw ticks and his attention fixes on his coffee. But when I take my hand back, his gaze follows it. It’s not the coffee he’s looking at. It’s my bracelet. I tuck my hand into my apron pocket and wait.
“I’m sorry,” he repeats slowly. “Don’t let my error affect my daughter. Please.”
I stare at him, my throat thickening.
“Now, can I have your new number?” He hitches one dark brow in question and my breath stalls in my lungs. His blue eyes burn into mine, heating me all the way from my toes to the top of my head.
“Hell no!” Ashley storms over before I give in. “Don’t go using that cute little girl as your bargaining tool. You want Tate’s new number? Well, Buddy, you can earn it.” She grabs Sullivan’s latte and dusts a messy digit onto it. “There!” she declares. “That’s one. Buy another drink and ask nicely and you might get another.”
Sullivan holds my eyes and clenches his jaw so hard it looks painful. He clears his throat, then calmly takes out his wallet, handing Ashley his card, still only looking at me.
“Put everyone’s orders on this.”
I glance at the line. There are people waiting and more coming in through the door.
“If you insist.” Ashley gives him a sickly-sweet smile as she plucks his card from his hand.
Sullivan stands to one side, his hands stuffed into his suit pants and a scowl on his face while Ashley and I jump into action to clear the line. He lifts his chin, his attention fixed on the next drink I make as the cocoa duster hovers over it.
“Oh, would you look at that? We’re out.” Ashley fakes an apologetic smile as she takes the duster from me and gives it a shake, pretending it’s empty.
“Use that one,” Sullivan grits, jerking his sharp jaw toward another duster sitting on the counter. Ashley knocks it onto the floor with her elbow and the lid flies off, letting the powder spill out.
“Oops. Sorry. Looks like you’ll have to come back another day.” She hands him his card.
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I’m internally high-fiving myself for standing up to him, but I don’t have the balls that Ashley does.
He doesn’t say anything, but the vein in his temple looks like it’s about to rupture. He slowly places a takeaway lid on his cup, then turns his attention to the line of waiting customers.
“Enjoy your drinks,” he says smoothly.
I stare at him, waiting for him to speak to me. His eyes narrow, and he lifts the cup to his lips and takes a drink, keeping his eyes on mine. The muscles in his thick neck contract, before he lowers the cup and licks a faint hint of foam from the perfect cupid’s bow of his lips.
