Chapter 12
“He’s definitely worth putting on a to-do list.”
Zoe hadn’t been able to get Denise’s words out of her head for the past three days. She’d overheard Gabby tell her in Portuguese she should make a move on Tim. When Zoe had replied she had enough on her to-do list already, Gabby had told her a man was not something you put on a checklist. Denise had caught the gist of what they’d said. When she’d hugged Zoe goodbye, she’d taken the time to whisper, “Tim is a great guy. He’s definitely worth putting on a to-do list.”
The bell over the door tinkled as it opened. Zoe slid the tray of fresh caramel eclairs onto the shelf of the display case and stood. “Welcome to the Cafe. I’ll be— Are you following me?”
It was as if her thoughts had conjured him into Elba’s cafe. He really did look good in a uniform. The dark short sleeve shirt hugged his broad shoulders and the utility belt sat perfectly on his lean hips.
A smile tugged at his lips. Damn, why was every encounter she had with him in some way awkward and embarrassing?
“I came in for coffee and pastry. Are you working here now?” He stepped closer to the counter.
“One of Elba’s waitresses has morning sickness so I offered to help out for a couple of weeks. I can’t do anything with the bookstore until the inspector signs off and it’s better than sitting at home staring at my to-do list.”
Why the hell had she mentioned her list? Now all she could think of was adding Tim’s name to it.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yes. Why?”
“You looked flushed.”
She picked up a napkin and waved it in front of her face. “I just came out of the kitchen. It’s hot.”
His look was skeptical. “Okay. Zoe, this is my partner Kevin. Kevin, this is my neighbor Zoe.”
The younger officer was cute in a very clean-cut, all-American way with his short blond hair and blue eyes. He filled out his uniform almost as nicely as Tim. He was much too young for her—maybe not young enough to be her son, but young enough to be someone she would have babysat in high school.
“It’s nice to meet you, ma’am,” he held out his hand.
Taking it, she glanced at his name tag. Kevin Moore. No… “Did you used to go by Kev Kev when you were little?”
His eyes widened. “How did you know that?”
“Did you live on Wisteria Place?”
“Yeah. My parents are still there, actually.”
“Holy cow! I babysat you in high school.”
“Oh wow! I thought you looked a little familiar, but I never would have figured it out.” He walked around the counter and pulled her into a big hug. “How are you? Did you move back to the area?”
She stepped out of his embrace. “I’m good. I just moved back. I’m opening a bookstore next door.”
He glanced over his shoulder at Tim, flinched a little, and walked back around the counter. Zoe looked at Tim questioningly, but his expression was blank.
“I’ll have to let my mom know—she loves to read.”
Zoe grinned. “I’m glad that hasn’t changed. She was my source for most of my romance novels while I was in high school. So…are you guys staying for coffee and pastry or do you want them to go?”
Kevin looked at Tim.
“We have some time. We can eat here,” Tim said.
The door to the kitchen swung open behind them. “Zoe, sweetie, I cannot read your handwriting for the life of me. I know you’re a hot Brazilian babe, but I don’t read Portuguese.”
Rob stopped at the edge of the counter and looked at her expectantly.
