She gave a small, tight smile in return. Then she got in and drove off, taillights fading into the dark.
I stood there a moment longer than I needed to, jaw tight, heart unsettled. Because if that kiss was a goodbye… I wasn’t ready. Not even close.
Chapter 27
Eliza
The morning air bit at my cheeks as I unlocked the Coffee Cabin. Cold, quiet, gray-blue sky stretching overhead like a sigh waiting to happen.
I’d barely slept.
Nate’s kiss still lingered on my lips. So did the look in his eyes when I pulled away—like he didn’t want to let me go but knew I needed the space. Which I did. And I didn’t. Both things were true at the same time, and it was exhausting.
I had just gotten the espresso machine warming up when the knock came. Sharp, intentional. Not friendly.
I turned, and there he was.
Graham.
His reflection hit the glass before he did, tall and polished in some ridiculous designer jacket, his expression unreadable until he got closer.
My stomach knotted, and I felt my shoulders stiffen.
Why the hell is he here so early?
“Nice sweater,” he said.
I didn’t respond, forcing my voice to stay steady even as my pulse sped up.
He leaned one elbow casually on the counter, and I felt a flicker of panic at how close he was.
“Word gets around quick here, Eliza. You’d think you’d remember that.”
I swallowed, aware of how exposed I felt behind the glass, all alone. My chest tightened, my grip on the counter almost painful, but I straightened my back, trying to make myself seem smaller and unthreatening, hoping he’d get the message without me having to say a word. “Word about what?”
“You. Me. Everything that was supposed to stay between us.” His tone was low, pointed. “Remember?”
“Well, good morning to you, too.” I forced a sugary smile.
He narrowed his eyes. “Cara knows we were together. Personally.” His lips thinned. “You knew how this would make me look, and you told her anyway. She paid me a visit. I knew your sisters didn’t like me; they made it obvious at my opening. I figured it was because I was your boss, and it didn’t work out. I should have known you’d tell them everything.”
Shit.
I thought Cara had run off to gather a stack of self-help, how to move past a toxic relationship books the other day, not to confront Graham.
Screw it. The cat was out of the bag now.
“Well, maybe if you didn’t want people to think badly of you,” I bit out, “you should quit doing bad things.”
That made him flinch. It was small. But I saw it.
“You’re still in the Taste-Off with Nate,” he said, skipping past apology and straight into disapproval. “After everything.”
“Yep,” I said, popping the “p.”
“You think that’s wise?”
I shrugged, refusing to let his worry infect me. “People are always going to talk, Graham. It doesn’t matter what I do or who I’m with—they’ll find something to gossip about.” I leaned onthe window ledge, raising a brow. “Do I think cooking food with a good man in a town-wide event is going to ruin your pristine reputation somehow? I really don’t care. Move on. I have.” I had no idea where my bravado was coming from, but I was not about to fight the instinct.
