“Nah, I never said that.” He snickers, his gaze drifting from his drink to me. “My name is Stallone.”
“Stallone.” My smile is flirty, languid. The heat from our direct contact melts my insides. That is such an unusual name, but it suits him well. “Did your parents loveRockymovies?”
“My dad was a fan.” He shifts his weight from one leg to another, as if he is unsure if he’s coming or going. “I’d better let you lock up.”
Disappointment trickles into my heart, and I lower my gaze to the bar towel again, saying, “Thanks for stopping in.”
“Night.” His tone is laced with confusion, and he turns and lumbers out the door. I stare after him.
How did I get that so wrong?
I thought he was coming to see me, but maybe he really did just want coffee.
nine
Stallone
A battle rages between my head and my heart. My head scolds me, telling me not to go back there. I definitely don’t need to get caught up in some weird flirtation.
My heart is quieter, yet somehow stronger, saying, “She’s one you won’t want to pass up.”
I get no sleep.
I’m up even earlier than usual. I fumble through work, all because I have only one thing on my mind.
Arielle and her sweet kiss.
Okay, that’s two things, and it’s all I think about. One doesn’t offer a drink named kiss to another if it doesn’t have some sort of innuendo, right? There are rules about that kind of thing.
After work, I lose control over my legs and drive right to the coffee shop. Butterflies spark alive in my gut as soon as I see El is working—and better yet—it’s closing time.
We are alone.
I march up to the bar and drop my palms on the counter. “I’ll have one of your sweet kisses.”
“You’re in luck.” She bats those flirty and superfluous lashes at me, not missing a beat. “I’ve been saving an extra sweet one for you all day.”
That certainly makes my mouth water.
It’s been ages since I’ve allowed myself to banter with a woman. The innocent smile she gives me when she moves in front of the espresso machine makes my heart putter in full throttle. It’s like I’ve been sleeping too long. I’m finally feeling what it’s like to be awake.
“How was your day?” she yells over the milk frother, giving me her sweetest smile. My knees weaken, and I match her smile.
“It was good.” I nod, and then nod again. It’s silly to be here flirting like a teenager, but I can’t resist. “Except I was thinking about your kisses all day.”
“Good. I like them to be memorable.” Her demure brows rise, and she steps to the side, adding the rest of the ingredients to the cup. She pops the lid on and sets the cup in front of me. “Try this one. It’s the leprechaun kiss.”
“Leprechaun?” I lift the cup and snicker right over the top of it. The drink heat seeps through the thin cardboard, warming my hands, and I hold it steady and enjoy the thawing.
“They’re minty.” She tips her chin up, exposing her long neck momentarily before her hand curls around it in a resting position. “Let me know what you think, but I’m guessing you’ll like this one even better.”
Her lips pinch in anticipation as I lift the cup to my lips and sip. It’s toasty, and rich with chocolate coffee notes, and it pulls me even more awake. I lower my cup and say with a straight face, “Definitely lucky.”
The sweetest chuckle rolls out of her lips. Her gaze levels with mine, and my heart hammers against my chest wall as I feelthis human connection I haven’t felt in forever. I pull the stool out and plop down and make a dramatic eye sweep to the clock behind us. “Are you closing?”
She slowly nods, and her voice drops to a low hum. “I need to.”
I could be wrong, but I’ve seen this look before. It’s the way she looked yesterday when she asked me to stay, and it makes me weak in the knees. “I could stay if you want company while you clean.”
