“Maybe I could see you tomorrow? I could come by the cafe for breakfast…”
I nod, smiling up at him. “I’d like that.”
Hours later, neck deep in Mildred’s hot water, I’m still smiling.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
WHEELS TURNING
CAMDEN
I lay in bed half the night, staring at the ceiling and running through every second of yesterday on repeat. Juju’s laugh, the way she looked at me like maybe she didn’t hate me, her body huddled into me to keep warm, the way her lips felt against mine…
Hell yes, it happened.
We kissed, and it was perfect.
By the time the sun comes up, I’m antsy. I shower and shave, pausing over which shirt to wear. I’d like her to look at me and for those cheeks to flush like they did yesterday.
When I park in front of The Kitty-Corner Cafe, I find my pulse kicking up from just thinking about seeing her again. I push the door open, and the delicious smells waft in the air like always. Juju’s behind the counter, her hair pulled back, and she’s laughing. My whole chest loosens.
And then I see Jackson.
Tires come to a screeching stop in my mind.
I meet Juju’s eyes over his shoulder, and she presses her lips together, the edges tilting up in a small smile before Jackson turns around and pulls me into a hug. He tries to put me in a headlock, but I have him in one in seconds.
“I didn’t know you were coming to town.”
“Surprise!” he says.
The room tilts a bit, my conscience at war with my heart because now I’m not just the guy who kissed Juju last night. I’m the guy who kissed my best friend’s little sister…the same one I promised him I’d never date.
I force a grin, trying to match his enthusiasm. “Yeah, surprise.” My voice cracks on the last syllable, and I cover it with a cough. Juju shoots me a wide-eyed look, one that suggests she’s either trying not to laugh or worried I’m going to confess all my sins.
Jackson points at the table closest to the window. “I’m over there. Grab what you want and come sit with me.”
I grin and nod. “Will do. How long you staying?”
“I’ve got a few days off, so I think I’ll just hang here, spend some time with Papa Hector and Uncle Hal…Juju…you.” He shakes my shoulder and grins.
A few days. Shit. I love my best friend, but his timing couldn’t be worse.
He goes and sits down, and I move toward the counter. Juju’s wiping down the espresso machine, but when she sees me coming, her cheeks flush. Even her ears are red.
“Morning,” I say softly.
She sets down the rag and moves toward me. But then her timer goes off. She holds up her finger to me. “I’ll be right back.”
Suzanne, her employee, hears her and says, “I’ve got it.”
“Thanks, Suzanne,” Juju says. She looks at me tentatively.
“How are you?” I ask.
“It’s been an eventful morning,” she says. “An eventful couple of days, I guess.”
My lips lift. “Yes, it has.”
