“Everything.”
“Then give me one of them red velvet joints.” He pointed at the signature red velvet cinnamon rolls in the case. “And a…” He squinted at the menu board. “A cap-a-CEE-no.”
I stared at him. “A what?”
“Cap-a-cee-no.” He said it slower, like I was the one who didn’t understand.
“You mean a cappuccino?”
“That’s what I said.”
“No, you said cap-a-CEE-no. Like it’s a new Pokemon or something.”
Brooke turned away, shoulders shaking. Trying not to laugh.
Thad’s smirk cracked into an actual smile. “Aight, you got jokes. Just make my coffee.”
I made his cappuccino—pronouncing it correctly under my breath the whole time—and handed it over with the red velvet roll.
He didn’t leave.
Instead he sat down at one of the little café tables near the window. Stretched out like he would be here for a while. Took a bite of the cinnamon roll and made a sound that was almost inappropriate.
“Damn. This is good.”
“I know.”
“Your sister made this recipe?”
“Yeah.”
“She’s talented.”
“I know that too.”
He took another bite. Watched me while he chewed. I went back to restocking the case, trying to ignore the feeling of his eyes on me.
It didn’t work.
“So,” I said finally, turning around. “You just happened to be in the neighborhood?”
“Nope.”
“Then what are you doing here, Thad?”
“Came to see you.”
“That’s called stalking.”
“I won’t deny it.”
I blinked. Wasn’t expecting him to just… admit it.
He leaned back in his chair, cappuccino in hand. “I told you I’d be seeing more of you. I meant that.”
“And I told you I don’t trust easy.”
“I remember.” His eyes held mine. “But I’m patient.”
