“It’s fine. Occupational hazard of caffeine dependency.”
He chuckled. “Let me get you another one. Please.”
She opened her mouth to protest—but the look on his face stopped her. Earnest. Hopeful. Like this mattered to him.
“Okay,” she said, surprising herself.
He jogged off toward the coffee truck, and Hillary took a steadying breath.
He came back moments later with a fresh iced coffee and held it out to her like a peace offering. “No casualties this time.”
“Thank you,” she said, fingers brushing his when she took it. The spark was immediate—and irritating.
“So,” he said easily. “Farmer’s market girl now?”
“Only in the summer,” she replied. “Muffins. They’re dangerous.”
“I’ve heard.” His smile softened. “It’s good to see you, Hillary.”
The way he said her name—like it was something he’d been holding onto—did things to her she didn’t have time for.
“It’s good to see you too,” she said, meaning it despite herself.
Before the conversation could tip into territory she wasn’t ready for, a familiar voice cut in.
“Well, this is unexpected.”
Sydney appeared at her side, eyebrow arched, gaze flicking between them with open curiosity. “Am I interrupting something?”
“No,” Hillary said quickly.
Murphy laughed. “We were just committing beverage-related crimes.”
Sydney grinned. “Classic.”
“Murphy, this is my sister Sydney. Sydney, Murphy,” she said, introducing the two.
“We were just about to head over to the food trucks for lunch, would you like to join us?” Sydney asked.
Say no. Please. She had been trying to forget him ever since March with little success.
“I would love to,” he said with his stupid warm smile.
Fuck.
They wandered toward the food trucks together, conversation light and easy. Murphy was friendly—careful—butstill himself. The same man who’d respected her line without resentment. Without sulking.
It made everything harder.
“Are you going to be around for the 4th tomorrow? Hillary and I always go. We should all go,” she said. “Food trucks, fireworks, all of it.”
Murphy looked at Hillary. “You in?”
Hillary hesitated only a second.
“I know a spot,” she said slowly. “Quiet. Secluded. You can actually see the whole show.”
His eyes lit up. “That sounds perfect.”
