Fire flashes in her eyes. “I enrolled in the Open University while I was in Europe. Studied part time alongside working as a barista and graduated top of my class in four years.”
The rush of pride that hits nearly knocks me over. I always knew Lola could do incredible things but seeing her figure it out for herself, watching her grow into a stunning, capable woman… it has me feeling like I’m that fifteen-year-old boy again, carrying a champion.
I smile at her. “Congratulations, Firebird.”
Her posture softens and her gaze dips to the ground before looking back up at me. “Thank you.”
Her words feather through the air, a caress against my skin. I become aware of the sound of my breath in the quiet room. Of the space between us that would be so easy to cross. Of the way she’s looking at me, like me recognizing her achievement just made her entire year.
I want her to look at me like that forever. But I also want to jump over this counter and kiss her until she’s looking at me with the same molten lust I feel.
“Firebird…” I breathe out.
Lola’s lips part and my gaze snags on the soft pink flesh. My cock twitches. My heart a thunderstorm in my ears.
“Roman—”
The door to the shop flings open behind her and she jumps, whatever she was about to say stolen from me by a tall, blonde woman in dungarees and designer sunglasses.
“I bought ice cream from Beli’s. Figured you might need comfort food.” The woman stops when she sees me. She lifts her sunglasses onto the top of her head. “Please tell me I’m interrupting.”
“Nope, Roman was just leaving actually.” Lola rushes to take one of the ice cream tubs.
“Was I now?” I say, her dismissal a rough irritation when I all I want is to stay here, with her, forever.
Lola cringes. “Sorry. Roman this is Skyler, she’s going to be my barista.”
Skyler points the tiny wooden ice cream spoon at me. “You giving us apples?”
I dip my head. “Yes, ma’am.”
Skyler smirks at Lola. “Told you he’d say yes.”
Lola’s eyes dart over to me, a deep blush coloring her cheeks.
I chuckle under my breath.
Lola scowls and turns back to Skyler, and I use her stubborn attempt to ignore me to swipe what I want off the counter andpocket it. “I’ll leave you two to it,” I say, walking around the driftwood.
“Roman,” Lola speaks up when I reach the door. She worries her bottom lip again. “About Mase…”
“I’ll talk to him. You just focus on your shop, okay?”
She nods, a soft breath falling from her lips. “Okay. Thank you.”
I leave her and Skyler in the shop and head back out onto Main Street. Henry looks up at me from his bucket by the door, his eyes wide. “Is it safe to go back in?” he asks.
I snort and shake my head. “Yeah man, you’re good.”
I wait till I’m down the street before taking out the piece of paper I stole. The purple band I took from Lola’s hair comes out with it. I slide the elastic onto my wrist, ignoring the voice in my head shouting it’s not normal to steal a hair tie just so you can feel closer to the woman you’re obsessed with. The voice can shut up. The hair tie’s mine now.
I scan the paper before folding it back up and returning it to my pocket. I’ll have to go back to it later because right now, I need to track down Mase. It’s not till I put the paper away that the hairs on my neck prick. I look around, turning back just in time to see the SUV from earlier pull away from Lola’s shop.
Chapter Fifteen
Lola
Hey Scott, do you ever miss your home?
