“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Don’t say that!” Christian butts in, physically inserting himself between us with his eyes glued to me. “You don’t have to answer that. That’s a dumb question.” He flashes a look of annoyance at Graham. “Of course she doesn’t love him. They just met.”
“I didn’t ask if she loved him. I asked if shecould. There’s a clear difference.” Graham crosses his arms against his chest, seeming to stand even taller. “I met my wife when I was in high school. We didn’t find a way to be together for many years, but in our years apart, I always knew Icouldlove her if I was given the chance. I knew it from the first time I saw her.”
“You’re not helping,” Christian mumbles, turning his back to Graham. When he looks at me, my chin quivers. I know exactly what Graham is saying. I’m not that inexperienced to say it’slove, but every part of my heart twists when I think of him. I am certain if I gave it a chance, I could love him. “El,” Christian’s coax is softer this time, as his gaze paces my face which I know is not hiding my emotions. When I say nothing, he repeats softer, “El.”
I step forward, sharing all my vulnerabilities with him and whisper, “I think I can.”
His eyes take an arc roll before he grunts, “So, what are you telling me? You want me to leave you here?”
I shrug, completely unsure what the days before me will offer, but I know I must try. “I’m saying I want to stay for a while. I actually think I'd enjoy being a barista. It has to be better than working for dad. You don’t have to hire anyone. At least not now. It works out that I can stay here and see what this thing is.”
“You’re for real about this?” he says, voice oddly quieter, and it’s evident this is finally sinking in for him.
“I am.”
“Okay, then.” He shakes his head, backing away. “I’ll finish this week’s order, but then I’ll leave the rest up to you.” The thing with Christian is, he’s always been dramatic, but something happened when he met Portia. He gained a sense of urgency where when they are not together, he just seems edgy. I know the impatience he shows me is because he really is in a hurry to tie up his ends here to get home to her. It was never his plan to leave me here, and it is unsettling to him.
What he doesn’t know is, the same urgency he always has to return to Portia is one that now pounds in my chest. As I sit here at the coffee shop with a full day before me, all I can think about is getting off work so I can see Stallone.
That’s not love.
But it’s something.
And I can’t wait to see what it turns out to be.
seventeen
Stallone
I clear my throat for the second time as I stand outside the coffee shop. The sign has already been switched to closed for the night. Through the window, I can see El is alone again, but for the life of me I can’t go inside.
With her hair up in one of the wild messy buns, that always leaves a few wispy strands to fall down to frame her face, she floats around the coffee bar, wiping off the counter. Her expression is soft, and under the muted Coffee Loft lights, her skin has a soft glow. I catch my breath in the back of my throat as I marvel at how she’s absolutely ravishing.
Never in my life did I think a woman like her would have eyes for someone like me. I reach out to grab the door handle but freeze again. This is so different than the other days I met El at work. Before it was a mere flirtation. Something changed yesterday. Now I feel like I have something to lose. It’s so early in this situationship for me to ask for her to give anything up.We hardly know each other. Yet, the magnetism has only grown stronger. My palms tremble as I finally find the bravery and pull open the door. I heave a sigh of relief that she left it unlocked. She was clearly waiting for me.
At least, I hope.
Her gaze locks on mine, and if I didn’t know better, I’d say it’s a tad frantic. “Stallone.”
Man, I love the way my name sounds when it falls from her lips. Her one-word greeting is enough to make my heart slam against my rib cage. “Hey, gorgeous.”
Her palms find the coffee bar in front of her, and she playfully leans forward while batting those gorgeous dark lashes at me. “What can I get you?”
“You know what I want.” I stride forward, my steps growing longer the closer I get to her. “I came for one of your sweet kisses.”
She doesn’t flinch or pretend to not understand. Her gaze softens even more as she steps out from behind the bar, and she rushes forward to meet me halfway. I scoop her up in one swift motion, lifting her off the ground, and her lips find mine with perfect rhythm. The coffee shop could implode into a giant fire, and I wouldn’t even notice as my eyes turn into literal hearts, and the only thing I’m able to focus on is her.
When I set her down, her eyes stay locked on me. She teasingly smiles and says, “Is that what you had in mind?”
“That’ll do.” Pushing my lower lip out, I nod. “But I might need seconds in a little bit.”
Her soft giggles cushion my heart, and she pivots on her heel back to the bar. “Did you actually want a coffee too? I’d love to spend some time together.”
“If you have time.” It’s an uncertain reply, and my voice cracks as I feel nauseous just coming flat out and asking her if she’sleaving. She has a whole life outside of this place, and she told me from the start that she wasn’t looking for anything.
She turns toward me, grabs both of my hands, and stares up at me. The lighter hue of blue fires sparkles out of her eyes. “I have time. I told Christian I was staying for at least a little while. I definitely want to see where this goes.” Her tone is plumb full of certainty. “Unless you’re busy.” Her gaze hovers over mine, and nervous reflections shine back at me.
Was she afraid I didn’t want her to stay anymore?
