But it wasn’t just breakfast, was it?It was a private invitation from the sister of the man who occupied too much space in my mind.The man whose jacket still hung in my closet.The man who?—
Stop,I scolded myself, pressing the crosswalk button with more force than necessary.I didn’t have time for a romantic entanglement, especially not with my boss.
When I pushed open the door to Café Lumière, a little bell jingled to announce my arrival.The interior was tasteful and elegant.Soft amber and gold light reflected off polished mahogany furnishings and intricate brass fixtures.The aroma of roasted coffee beans and freshly baked pastries wrapped around me like a comforting blanket.
My eyes landed on Meghan, nestled in the corner booth, her blonde hair catching the light.Two steaming cups of coffee sat on the table.
“Hey,” I said, sliding into the seat across from her.
“Morning, Callie!”Meghan’s voice was almost obnoxiously chipper.She nudged one of the cups toward me.“I took a stab at your coffee order.”
Suspicion flitted across my mind as I eyed the drink.It looked exactly how I liked it—right down to the artfully swirled caramel drizzle on top.“You guessed this?”My tone hovered between incredulity and amusement.
“Guilty as charged.Double shot espresso, oat milk, one pump of vanilla, and a little caramel on top.Right?”
“Right.”
But how?
Meghan laughed at my expression.“Okay, full confession—I asked Emmett.”
My cheeks flamed as I wrapped my hands around the warm cup.“Wow, he remembered that?”
“Emmett has a thing for details.”Meghan’s eyes twinkled.“Especially when it comes to people he cares about.”
I sipped the coffee, letting the rich flavors distract me.It was perfect.But then, Emmett had a knack for getting things just right.Still, I couldn’t afford to focus on how considerate he was.I was here to have breakfast with his sister, not a stroll down what-could-be lane.
I swirled the creamy surface of my drink; the spoon made a delicate clinking sound against the fine china.
“Callie,” Meghan’s excited voice cut through my reverie.“I have to tell you—I saw you and Emmett at the fundraiser.”
I choked on my coffee.“You saw nothing,” I sputtered, dabbing at my mouth with a napkin.My heart raced from sheer panic.
“Come on, it was pretty hard to miss.”She leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with the thrill of gossip.“The way he looked at you during that dance, and then that kiss.I mean, wow!”
“Listen,” I said, setting down my cup with more force than intended.“Whatever you think you saw, it wasn’t—it’s not what it looks like.”
Meghan raised an eyebrow.“So, there’s no spark between you two?”
“Absolutely not.We’re colleagues, Meghan.That’s all we’ll ever be.”
“Okay, okay, if you say so.”She held up her hands in surrender, but the mischievous glint never left her eye.
I shifted uncomfortably.Her gaze lingered on me, as if she were peeling back the layers of my careful composure.“You’re worried about your job, aren’t you?”
I stared into my cup, feeling the heat creep up my neck.“It’s not just a job, Meghan.It’s my career.Everything could come crashing down because of one stupid moment of weakness.”
She reached across the table, placing her hand over mine.“I promise, Callie, I won’t tell a soul.Your secret is safe with me.”
“Thanks,” I murmured, the knot in my stomach loosening slightly.
“Actually,” she said, biting her lip, “there’s something I’ve been keeping to myself too.”She paused, drawing in a deep breath.“I may just ever so slightly be in love with my brother’s best friend.”
My eyes widened.Wick, the tattooed pillar of strength who always stood by Emmett’s side?That brother’s best friend?“Does he know?”I asked, leaning in closer.
She shook her head, her blonde bob swaying.“Not a clue.And I intend to keep it that way.Emmett would lose his shit.”
“Emmett told me Wick was like a brother to you.”
