Nova laughed as she picked up a mug and the insulated coffee pot. She poured him a cup of coffee before holding it out to him. “I can understand the compulsion.”
“I’m sure you can,” he said with another smirk.
Just in the last twelve hours, Nova had lost count of how many smiles she’d wrangled out of Torin, mostly because he was smiling more and more often in her presence.
Yes, she was even counting those somewhat annoying smirks.
Nova poured herself a cup of coffee as well and doctored it with sugar and a splash of creamer. Then, she pulled the towel off the bowl of scones. The scent of cranberry, orange, and vanilla wafted through the air.
Torin inhaled deeply and released it on a sigh. “You made these?” he asked.
Nova poked him in the shoulder. “Yes, I did. Now, shut up and eat one before you start making smart ass remarks.”
Torin picked up one of the warm scones and took a big bite. He groaned. “This is the best scone I’ve ever eaten.”
Nova made a face at him. “I’m sure you’ve eaten things made by professional bakers and pastry chefs. I know I can bake, but not on that level.”
“Hey, I’m a simple guy. I like Ding Dongs, remember? Those fancy concoctions have nothing on this scone. It’s so light and fluffy.” He frowned at her. “It was also made with care, which makes me appreciate it even more. So, take the compliment already.”
Warmth hit her cheeks. “Thanks.”
He picked up the bowl with his free hand and held it out to her. “You better get one or two now because I think I might eat them all by myself.”
Nova laughed but took one. “Don’t worry. I saved the last three and they’re at my apartment, safe and sound.”
“Don’t trust me?” he asked, lightly.
“Of course, I do. I’m just greedy.”
He grinned at her and took another huge bite of his scone. It was nearly gone. He picked up his coffee cup with his free hand and took a sip to wash it down.
“So, what do we have to talk about?” he said.
Nova sighed and put her scone aside. “I can’t believe I’m going to say this but—” She paused and sipped her own coffee. “We need to set some ground rules if we’re going to do this.”
“Oh, we’re definitely doing this,” Torin said.
Nova pointed a finger at him. “Bossy. Stop. Now.”
He grinned and threw the last bit of the scone in his mouth, chewing as his blue eyes twinkled at her.
Unsure if she was going to be able to deal with this new, bossy, arrogant, but magnetic Torin, Nova continued, “I think we should keep it quiet that we’re dating at work. Not forever, but at least for a while.”
Torin didn’t say anything. He just drank his coffee and grabbed another scone.
“I don’t want there to be tension among the rest of the employees or for them to think I’m getting preferential treatment or for there to be a lot of awkwardness. So, I think it’s best if we don’t mention we’re dating and if we keep things platonic around everyone else.”
“How long do you propose this goes on?” he asked.
Since he sounded curious rather than snarky, Nova answered him. “At least a month, maybe two. That should be long enough for us to know if things are going to fizzle out or if we’ve got something that can go long term.”
He was about to take a drink of coffee and stopped with his cup held aloft. “You think things will fizzle out?” he asked. This time, he did sound…edgy.
Nova shrugged. “I don’t know. You might snore or hog the blankets. Those are dealbreakers.”
“What?” he asked, setting his mug down with a snap.
Nova laughed. “No, I don’t think we’ll fizzle out, but stranger things have happened, so we have to keep that in mind.”
