“He’s not tall, dark and broody. He’s... just tall. And dark. And did you see his eyes?”
“He checked the shop and the windows every ten minutes. Maybe he’s a serial killer.”
“Mika!”
“What? I’m just saying, the hot ones are always trouble.”
I wanted to argue, but the truth was, Matthias whoever-he-was had danger written all over him. Unfortunately, it was the kind of danger that made smart women do very stupid things.
Good thing I was absolutely not going to be one of those women.
The bell chimed again, and Mrs. Patterson walked in asking about cat encyclopedias. I pushed all thoughts of gray eyes and leather jackets out of my mind.
I had a business to run, a life that made sense, and absolutely no room for mysterious men who looked at my shop’s exits with the kind of attention usually reserved for prison escapes.
But when I locked up that night, I found myself hoping Mika would win that twenty-dollar bet.
2
— • —
Lina
“Your hot brooding stranger is back,” Mika whispered as I walked out of the kitchen, powdered sugar still on my hands from helping Vivi with her latest creation.
I definitely didn’t feel my pulse jump. That would be pathetic. It had been exactly one week since Matthias first walked into my shop, and he’d shown up every single day since. Four PM. You could set a watch by him.
“He’s not my anything,” I said, wiping my hands on my apron while absolutely not looking toward the corner table.
“Sure. That’s why you’ve been checking the clock every five minutes since two-thirty.”
I ignored her and focused on the important task of straightening the display of bookmarks that were already perfectly straight. Sowhat if I’d noticed his pattern? It was my job to notice customer habits. Purely professional interest in the man who ordered iced Americanos in October and read psychological thrillers fast enough to make me wonder if he was actually absorbing any of it or just really committed to looking mysterious.
He always took the same seat. Back to the wall, clear view of all exits and windows. I’d started thinking of it as his table, which was ridiculous. I didn’t assign seats in my shop. This wasn’t high school.
But when old Mr. Garrett had tried to sit there yesterday just at three-forty, I’d maybe guided him to a different spot with a comment about better lighting.
I risked a glance. There he was, already settled with today’s book recommendation and his usual drink. Dark hair falling across his forehead as he read, one hand wrapped around the cup while the other held the book with surprising gentleness. Every so often, his gray eyes would lift from the page and scan the shop before returning to his reading. Twice now I’d caught him staring at the forest through the back windows with an expression I couldn’t read. It kind of looked like…worry.
The third time I’d caught him staring, it wasn’t at the forest.
It was at me.
“You’re staring again,” Vivi said, appearing at my elbow with a tray of freshly decorated cupcakes. Today’s theme was Halloween, because it was never too early to start. She’d made tiny wolves out of chocolate frosting, complete with fondant fangs.
“I’m not staring. I’m observing. Maybe he needs more coffee. Who knows?”
“That’s your excuse? Really?”
“Hey. I’m taking care of my customers. Besides, he could also need a new book, given how fast he’s been reading.”
He’d burned through three thrillers in seven days. At this rate, I’d need to order more just to keep up with his habit.
Mika snorted from behind the register. “Right. You’re so gone, girl.”
“I am not gone. I am a professional business owner who happens to notice when her customers might need assistance.”
“Is that why you wore lipstick today?”
