Bowing his head, he opens the door, pulling the suitcase behind him. I wait for the door to click and turn on my heel, heading to the window. I’m not sure what I’m expecting to see. People bustle in and out of the downtown shops, carrying perfect little packages filled with the treasures they found, all wearing smiles on their faces. That part is enjoyable to see, but the best part is that none of these people know me or Tom. That’s exactly the kind of place I need to be right now. I cross the room to my suitcase and pull out a pair of faded jeans and a cream sweater and head to the shower.
Today is going to be a good day.
Because I said so.
And maybe, a handsome guy will come in for coffee.
It’s ten minutes to six o’clock, and I shut off the brightest overhead lights as the last two customers head out. It’s been a slow day with the bookstore remaining closed. I assume most of the town residents are yet to find out about the new partnership with Coffee Loft. That makes sense to me since Christian hasn’t done any advertising. I open the cash drawer to count the bills. Like clockwork, as soon as I stop thinking thatmaybehe’ll come in, the door swings open, and my heart skips a beat.
“Am I too late?” My lumberjack peeps inside. He’s wearing a heavy blue flannel shirt and jeans, looking as casual as can be,but the way he immediately finds my gaze and holds it sparks the butterflies in my gut.
“No, not at all.” I push the cash back into the drawer and close it with my hip. “I was hoping you’d stop by.”
“I told you I would.” He steps forward, letting the door jingle to a close behind him. “You owe me a coffee.”
“I do.” Heat flushes my cheeks as everything about the way this man looks at me makes my knees jelly. “Have a seat.” I gesture forward, adding in a playful tone, “Let me guess how you like your coffee.”
He pulls up the closest barstool, plopping down, both eyes locked on me. “Not with tea.”
“How about something sweet?”
“I like my coffee so strong my ancestors can taste it.” His chuckle slips out at the exact time mine does: his baritone sound perfectly balances my sweet inflections.
“Maybe just a little sweet then.” I scan all the new Coffee Loft syrups displayed behind me until I catch the perfect one, or in this case two. I’ve never been one to initiate any kind of flirting, but since no one knows me here, I seem to have found the confidence to be a little bold. I grab the marshmallow and the raspberry and hold them up. “If I mix these together, and add a little milk, you get something called a raspberry kiss.” I hold my gaze steady on him and bite back a smile as he squirms in his seat, shifting from side to side.
He doesn’t disappoint, flirting right back. “It’s our first coffee together, and you’re already offering a kiss.” He lets his direct eye contact linger.
It’s suddenly apparent the heat in this place is definitely working at full steam today. I push up my sweater sleeves to my elbows, all the while wishing I could crack a window open. “Technically, this is mythirdtime serving you.” I set the syrups on the counter and grab a large drink cup, the one we call theLofty size. I don’t care what size he orders, but I’m giving him a free upgrade. I tip the empty cup toward him. “This one is on me for all the trouble this week.” After sidestepping to the espresso machine, I push the button for the espresso before I ask, “Caffeine good or do you need decaf?”
“The only time I’ve ever gotten decaf coffee to work for me is the time I threw it at my brother.” He holds a straight face, but as hard as I try to bite back a laugh, a snort bleeps out. He acknowledges my snort with a simple, “That’s classy.”
“It really wasn’t.” I pump the syrups into the cup, add the milk and espresso, mixing it all together. A gleam in his eye sparkles when I set the coffee in front of him, and it encourages me.
I hate for this conversation to be over.
I spent all day looking out the window for him, and nowit’s over. He’s so fun to banter with, and it’s been ages since I let myself do this. I point to the coffee-mug shaped clock on the wall, now one minute past six. “I have to lock up, but if you don’t have anywhere to go, you’re welcome to sit with me while I clean.” I hold my breath, unsure where my sudden bravery came from.
“I really should be on my way.” His gaze regretfully pulls to the exit, and my heart drops. How did I get this conversation so wrong?
He was totally flirting with me.
Maybe he is dating that lady in the park or someone else? My gaze drops to his hands. Not a ring on any of his fingers, but I dare to ask, “Are you involved with someone?”
His lashes flicker, blinking several times. The time it takes for him to answer my question makes me wish I hadn’t asked. My fingers get jittery, and I reach for the bar towel for something to fidget with. I direct my gaze down and wipe the counter before I hear his down-hearted reply, “I was, and not looking for anything.”
I raise my gaze up to meet his. “Me too, and me neither.” I add a shoulder shrug. “Or maybe just a friend.”
His Adam’s apple bobs, marking his swallow. I stand back, waiting for him to get up and leave. To my surprise, he lifts his drink and takes a sip. He swallows slowly, like he’s savoring the flavors, before he sets down his cup. His lips tug up gently in the corners. “Your kiss is very sweet.”
“Too sweet?” I park my hand on my hip, feeling the tension rise back up between us.
“It could be perfect.” He nods more to himself as his gaze is locked on his drink. “I might need to try another one tomorrow. Just to make sure.”
“I’m here all week,” I speak softly, as if I’m afraid to stir the air. We’d somehow built a bridge of camaraderie without even trying. I know I could use a friend. Especially one who is as handsome as he is. “My name’s Arielle, by the way, but people call me El.”
“I think we are doing this backward.” He rises to his feet. “You’re supposed to tell me your name before you give me your kiss.”
I’ve never met a man who can make my knees shake from just the way he looks at me, but I place my hands on the counter to steady myself. “You can give me the kiss back if you don’t want it,” I tease, batting my lashes as I gaze up at him.
