“Which part are you sorry for, Atlas? Explain it to me. Is it the way you scowl at me all the time?” I poke his chest with my finger. “Or is it for the way you took all the drinks I got just to be a jerk?”Poke.“Or is it maybe how I don’t do anything but be nice to you when you clearly don’t deserve it?”Poke.
His chest rises and falls rapidly, but he stands there silent and otherwise still, dark eyes locked on me.
“Well?” I poke his chest again.
His hand shoots out, grabbing mine. “I’m sorry for all of it, Cora. I don’t deserve your smiles, your kindness, or your attention, but I know that I want it,” he admits in a low, husky voice, pulling me closer to him.
Standing chest to chest, I try to collect my bearings. Being this close to him should scare me, but it oddly doesn’t. I didn’t expect him to be so honest. He accepted responsibility so quickly. What did he mean that hewantsit? Taking in my shocked expression and silence, he stares into my eyes and sighs.
“You don’t have to forgive me, but it’d be nice.”
The wall I’ve built around my heart crumbles a bit. His expression seems so lost and sad, it softens something inside of me. Looking at where our hands are joined against his chest, I notice the faint lines that run along the edge of his fingers, up his hand, and onto his wrist. They look like scars.What happened to him?My eyes flick to his, and as he realizes where my line of vision went, he drops my hand and takes a step back.
I ignore the way I immediately miss his closeness.
Silently, he opens the fridge and pulls out a coffee from Mara’s shop and a bag from the cabinet next to it. Sitting both items on the small table next to us, he sighs and shrugs his shoulders, not meeting my eyes.
“Mara said that you like this coffee and croissant together.There’s also a tea and a muffin for you to take home for tomorrow. Consider it a peace offering, Cora.”
Stunned. I’m completely stunned. No one’s ever done that for me before. I’m always the one who goes out of their way to take care of others, but no one takes care of me. Sure, Mara and her family do, but they’ve been around all my life. This feels different. Bigger.
“Mara told you my favorites?”
“Well, she didn’t tell me what the drink is; she just made it while glaring at me the whole time. She’s kind of scary, to be honest.”
A smile splits my face. He’s not wrong. Mara can be terrifying to the right people. She has such a tough exterior, but underneath, she loves so big. She’s one of the most loyal people I know.
“She also charged me double and demanded a thirty percent tip.”
Now I laugh. That sounds like Mara.
My heart stops in my chest when a genuine smile breaks out across his face. I think it’s the first time I’ve seen him smile like that, and it’s hard not to gawk at him. He’s handsome and has a hard edge to him, but when he looks happy, it’s like he’s a different person. Not a better version, but one that looks right, like it’s the real Atlas in front of me.
“Apology accepted.” I offer him a smile. “By the way, it’s an Irish crème iced coffee. Mara’s shop is the only one around here that makes it right.”
“Mara owns that shop?”
“Yep. You never noticed the name?” Turning the cup, I show him the logo,Twin Roasts. There are two coffee beans in a basket with muffins and baked goods.
“I don’t get it.” Confusion mars his face.
“She has a twin sister named Mila. Mila bakes, and Mara is a whiz at coffee. They’re basically sisters to me.”
“You have a friend who is atwin?” Kash is standing in the doorway. “Girl, Cora, you have to introduce me. Are they identical? I’m begging you. It’s on my bucket list.” His hands fold together, a hopeful look on his face.
Rolling my eyes, I give him the same warning I give everyone. “They are not the same person. Mara will eat you alive, and Mila will be there to watch. We like to joke that Mara is the reason it says ‘roasts’ in the name.”
Kash’s eyes light up. “Really?”
“Did you need something?” Atlas makes a sound of exasperation.
“Oh, yeah, your next client is here, Atty boy. Some guy named Aidan. Oh, and Cora, my girl. We need to have a chat. Don’t think you’re off the hook.”
Checking the time, I realize Atlas and I have been back here for twenty minutes, and I should probably get to work. “I’m going to head out there. Thanks again for this, At.”
“At?” Kash looks between us. “Oh my gosh, you guys made up! Yay!” He wraps an arm around Atlas and then grabs me and crushes me to his other side. “We’re just one big family again!”
Shaking my head, I twist out of his grip as Atlas smacks him in the back of the head. Smiling, I take a sip of my drink and head to my desk. I sneak a glance at Atlas and see him already looking at me with a small smile on his face. Maybe this will work out after all.
