But it was time…past time.
She opened her mouth to finally tell Callie, but the door opened and Bea stepped in.
“Sorry, Cal, I have to go. Someone’s here. Chat soon.”
Callie sighed. “Talk soon, honey.”
The woman in front of her cringed. “Sorry, I didn’t realize you were on the phone.”
“You’re fine.” Aspen set her cell on the desk. “Is everything okay?”
She placed a mug down. “I thought you might like a coffee.”
“Oh, I wouldlovea coffee!” She lifted the mug and sipped, barely stopping herself from choking.
Oh, Jesus. Not good. Really not good. Completely sugarless and with a bitter aftertaste. Did people in this town take lessons on how to make bad coffee?
She forced a smile at the woman. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Do you need anything else? Something to eat? Pen and paper?”
Aspen was about to respond, but then Luke passed the room, and Bea’s gaze shot straight to him. Was there desire in the other woman’s eyes?
A small smile touched Aspen’s lips, the romance author in her definitely catching a little spark. “You like him?”
Bea’s eyes widened as she looked back at Aspen. “Luke? No. We’re friends.”
Maybe. Or maybe not.
Actually, that would make a good story. A workplace romance about a receptionist and a deputy. That was kind of sexy.
“What about you and Jesse?” Bea asked, dragging Aspen out of her head.
“Me and Jesse?”
“You’re dating, right?”
“No.” Well, that came out faster than intended. “We’re not dating. We’re friends…and roommates.”
Although, what they’d done last night hadn’t been veryfriendly.
Bea nodded, an odd smile on her face. She didn’t believe her. Well, she probably wouldn’t have believed her either.
Aspen cleared her throat. “Well, thank you again for the coffee.”
Bea dipped her head. “You’re welcome. Shout out if you need anything else.”
“I will.”
Bea left the room, and Aspen sipped the warm drink again.
Argh. Mistake. And definitely not better on the second sip. But God, she needed caffeine.
Maybe sugar would fix this inability to write. A boost of energy often helped.
She rose from the desk and opened the door, only to stop. She had no idea where the kitchen was. She started down the hall, passing offices and what looked like a storage room. When she turned the corner, she saw a glimpse of a fridge just inside a room down the hall on the right.
There you are.
