I hang back a second, watching as she glances around before taking a seat on a barstool that just opened up at the kitchen island. There are finger foods in front of her, and she doesn’t shy away from grabbing a bit of everything and placing it on a plate in front of her. She bites into the quiche, and I notice the smallest tilt of her head as she leans it back before grabbing two more, her shoulders doing a subtle wiggle as she chews.
So fucking cute.
I make my way toward her, placing the coffee down.
“Hang on one more second,” I say.
Abby told me she has an assortment of milk, creamer, and sweeteners so I grab everything I can find and bring it over to the small free space left in front of Demi.
“I know it isn’t the type of coffee you usually drink.”
Her eyes narrow at me in question. And honestly, I’m surprisedshe’ssurprised I know she usually likes her coffee hot.
She doesn’t say anything, just keeps her eyes on me.
“So…” I sigh. “Iced coffee. How do you like it?”
She finally smirks. “Are you going to play barista?”
“Play? I worked in a coffee shop for a bit in college. I’m a seasoned professional.”
Her lips curl up and it’s so close to a smile I can nearly taste it. I’d do anything to see her dimples right now.
Her eyes flit between the beverages in front of us. And everything in me is just hoping I can hang out with her for as long as she’ll let me tonight.
“Why two?” she asks, gesturing to both drinks.
“Well, I got myself one.”
“Aren’t you drinking a beer? I swear you had one in front of you when I walked up to you earlier.”
“You mean when our eyes locked across the room? I remember the moment well. But I don’t drink much during the season. One, maybe two, if I’m out. Tonight I had one, and now I’m switching to have coffee with you.”
Her teeth pull on her bottom lip, and I get a glimpse of the whites of them as she parts her lips.
“Okay.” She inhales and then reaches down to her plate, picking up another piece of quiche. “Almond milk.” She takes a bite and moves the carton of milk closer to me. “And this,” she says after finishing her bite and points to the white mocha syrup on the counter.
“Iced coffee, splash of almond milk with white mocha syrup. Easy.” I stare at the thick wave of hair over her shoulder as I’m grabbing what I need.
She settles into the chair and sits up a little straighter, both elbows resting on the white marble. “So, do you just order drinks for any woman you talk to?”
I crack a smile at that comment, and I can’t seem to wipe it away as I look at her. Her brown, nearly black eyes narrow in my direction as she stares at me confidently, very aware of how much I’m enjoying this moment.
“Jealous, Dem?”
Her head shakes slowly as she dips her chin and replies. “Oh, please.”
She turns to hide her face, but there it is. Without effort. Without prompting.
She smiles.
And it’s something else.She’ssomething else. Just being around her makes me want to freeze time so I can stay in these moments with her for as long as possible.
Her head moves back and forth as she pulls her lips in.
“I love when you do that.” My voice is raspy as I speak.
“Do what?”
