His expression softens. He slides his hand under my hair, along the back of my neck, pulling me toward him until my forehead rests against his. “Jilly,” he breathes, “I don’t like secrets, but more than anything… I just wanna be with you.”
“Ditto,” I whisper.
***
When I swing the door to True Brew open, the shop is empty but for an elderly couple sipping coffee at a corner table. When I make my way behind the counter, Kyle looks up from the espresso machine, where he’s vigilantly wiping down the grates. He stops whistling—“Whistle While You Work,” naturally—and his expression morphs from friendly to suspicious. “Jelly Bean, what are you looking so cute for?”
I glance down at my clothing: my True Brew T-shirt and my work-only, coffee-stained jeans. “Are you kidding?”
He rolls his eyes. “Not your clothes.” He studies me as I tie on my apron. “Is thateyelineryou’re wearing?”
I stick my tongue out. “So what if it is?”
“I’d just like to know why, is all.”
“Maybe because I had breakfast at the Holdens’.”
His eyes light up. “And?”
“And… Max and I are good.”
“I sense you’re watering things down.”
I can’t help a little smile. “We talked yesterday. A lot. And this morning.”
“Ibetyou talked.” He tugs on my ponytail, messing it up.
“Kyle, stop!” I dart away, catching a glimpse of the ancient couple at their corner table. They’re craning their necks to see over the counter—oh, the mischief their baristas are making!
I pull the elastic from my hair, comb my fingers through, and gather it back up. “You better chill, buddy. You’re going to get us fired.”
“Nah. I know the owners. And don’t try to distract me. Max and you…?”
I busy myself topping off milk pitchers. “Are friends again.”
Kyle cocks his head, his skepticism flagrant. “You’re not telling me everything.”
Max and me… We’re so new, so fragile. I’m hesitant to share with anyone—even Kyle—for fear of popping our iridescent bubble. “I’m telling you what you need to know.”
He stares at me for a long moment, then turns away to fill a cup with drip coffee. Handing it to me, he says, “You like him. It’s written all over your face—thirsty eyes and kissy lips, puppy love in all its glory. I mean, keep your secrets if you must, but know thatIknow exactly what you’re feeling.”
I roll my eyes. “Fine. We spent the better part of the morning making out. Is that what you want to hear?”
He laughs, gleeful. “That’sexactlywhat I want to hear!”
“But listen—not everyone will be as delighted as you, so keep quiet, okay?”
“Please. You and Max? It’ll be old news before you know it.”
“Not as far as my dad’s concerned. He’ll see red if he finds out. Becky will, too.”
“So, what…? You guys are gonna be all covert? Max is cool with that?”
I shrug, refilling the grinder with espresso beans. “I’m not sure I’d use the word ‘cool.’”
“Jill,” Kyle says, sidling up to me. “Please tell me you’re not complicating things. If you think your dad’ll be pissed now, just imagine how furious he’ll be if he finds out you’ve been hiding this guy he didn’t want you to go out with in the first place.”
“I’ll tell him. I just need time, is all.”
